Last Sunday's Oscar ceremony (9) began with an explosion of color and shine. The black and unapologetically singer queer Janelle Monae opened the night by performing three songs.
She started the performance with “Won't You Be My Neighbor?”, the theme song from the nominated film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. “Hello, neighbors. Tonight, we celebrate the art of storytelling, the weird, the outcast, the misunderstood, the voices that are too private,” said the singer.
Monae changed the song with “Come Alive (The War of the Roses)”, walking through the audience. “We celebrate women who have directed phenomenal films. And I'm so proud to be here, telling stories as a black, queer artist. Happy Black History Month!” Monae proclaimed.
Then, Billy Porter, black and gay actor, paid tribute to Elton John singing “I’m Still Standing”.
Watch the frenetic and explosive performance below:
#Oscars Moment: @JanelleMonae kick off the #Oscars with an opening number that leaves everyone feeling alive! pic.twitter.com/J76UFuqxby
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 10, 2020
Still on the LGBT side, the awards had notable moments, such as Renée Zellweger winning in the actress category for playing the gay icon Judy Garland in Judy, Elton John winning the second Oscar of his career for a song for the film Rocketman – the only member of the LGBT community to win on the night –, and Laura Dern taking home the supporting actress statuette for History of a Wedding.
