Dave Grohl, Pharrell, the Weeknd, Lady Gaga Set to Appear at Oscars
Pharrell, Lady Gaga, the Weeknd and Sam Smith are all set to appear at this year’s Oscars, which will also feature a “special performance” from Dave Grohl, Entertainment Weekly reports.
The latest list of presenters and performers also includes last year’s Best Song winners John Legend and Common, as well as Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams, Sacha Baron Cohen, Morgan Freeman and Henry Cavill.
A current list of everyone set to appear at the 88th Academy Awards is available on the Oscars’ website. Of the musicians named, only Grohl was specified as a performer (though no details were given about his act), while representatives for the Weeknd and Smith confirmed to Rolling Stone that they would be performing as well.
Both singers are in the running for Best Original Song, the Weeknd for his 50 Shades of Grey contribution, “Earned It” and Smith for his Spectre theme, “Writing’s on the Wall.” It is customary for nominees of that category to take the stage during the ceremony, though a representative for Lady Gaga (nominated for “Til It Happens to You” from The Hunting Ground) did not immediately respond to questions regarding whether she would perform as well.
The two other finalists for Best Original song have yet to be added to this year’s Oscars: J. Ralph and Antony, who penned “Manta Ray” for Racing Extinction, and “Simple Song #3,” written by David Lang and performed by South Korean opera singer, Sumi Jo for Youth.
Chris Rock will host the award show, set to air February 28th at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.