Oscars 2025 to honour Los Angeles amid wildfire crisis, do away with live performances

Raj Kapooryoung son

Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host—he is incredibly witty, charismatic and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television,

said Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan in a November press statement announcing O’Brien as host

Our members always share how important it is for us to come together as a community, and we are determined to use this opportunity to celebrate our resilient and compassionate industry,

Kramer and Yang said in a press release

This year, the best original song category presentation will move away from live performances and will be focused on the songwriters,

the letter confirmed, as per The Hollywood Reporter

We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life,

the letter included

Stephen Kingwriter

Not voting in the Oscars this year. IMHO they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire.”

Earlier this month, writer Stephen King asked for the Oscars to be cancelled this year, writing on Bluesky

Hosted by the incredible Conan O’Brien, our 97th Oscars will be a celebration of connection and collaboration – honouring the unifying spirit and creative synergy of moviemaking. We will highlight the transformative power of the teamwork that brings cinematic visions to life,

the letter read

With ALL due respect during Hollywood’s season of celebration, I hope any of the networks televising the upcoming awards will seriously consider NOT televising them and donating the revenue they would have gathered to victims of the fires and the firefighters,

she wrote in a post on Instagram

We will reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry,

Bill Kramer, academy chief executive, and Janet Yang, president, said in an email to members Wednesday

There is so much more in store, including powerful musical moments that connect film’s rich history to its bold and inspiring future

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences concluded the letter

We will honor Los Angeles as the city of dreams, showcasing its beauty and resilience, as well as its role as a beacon for filmmakers and creative visionaries for over a century,

the letter continued