Social media erupted following the Oscars, calling out the showrunners for using what they called questionable music to introduce presenters of color.
The 94th Academy Awards’ was managed, however, by black producer Will Packer, who led an all-black producing team — which was a first for an awards ceremony.
What are the details?
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the show’s production team received heavy backlash after picking Toto’s “Africa” as the music to introduce black presenters — actor Daniel Kaluuya and musician H.E.R. — to the stage to present the award for Best Supporting Actress.
Social media blew up with people calling out the Oscars for their choice of music.
“And the Oscar for ‘Absolute Worst Time to Play ‘Africa’ by Toto’ goes to … THE OSCARS,” one user wrote.
Another said that the choice to incorporate more suitable music was a no-brainer.
“Who the hell picked ‘Africa’ as the song for Daniel and H.E.R. walking up, that seems like the easiest choice to not make,” the user said.
“[D]aniel kaluuya and h.e.r. walking out to ‘africa’ is totally not an intentional decision on the producers’ part,” another wrote, likely sarcastically.
“Hollywood has mutated into an even worse parody of a bad parody of itself,” another user complained.
“Maybe don’t play Toto’s ‘Africa’ when you introduce the first two black presenters of the night,” admonished another angry user.
Second Offense
Showrunners received even more backlash after playing Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita” during Latina actress Stephanie Beatriz’s walk on stage to present the award for Best Original Song.
“[P]retty sure them playing ‘La Isla Bonita’ by Madonna to introduce Stephanie Beatriz is a hate crime or an act of white feminist aggression. Idk, it doesn’t sit right with me. Like, just play an actual Latinx song not an appropriated one??!!” one user wrote.
“[S]o far they’ve introduced Daniel Kaluuya and H.E.R. with Toto’s ‘Africa’ and Stephanie Beatriz with ‘La Isla Bonita,’ honestly how the hell is this happening?” another asked.
“The Oscars thing that shooked me more last night was that they played La Isla Bonita when they introduced Stephanie Beatriz on stage,” another user admitted.
One hinted at premeditation, writing: “[O]k but why were they playing a la isla bonita instrumental when stephanie beatriz walked on…. kinda motivated……”
Another user called out the choices amid “great moments for diversity.”
“Still cringing from La Isla Bonita played for Stephanie Beatriz, and Marc Anthony’s Vivir mi Vida for Encanto, following Africa for Daniel Kaluuya and HER walking on stage,” the user wrote. “There were some great moments for diversity, but this seems a real step backwards.”
