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The Academy has made some key changes to the upcoming 2025 Oscars ceremony, according to an internal letter sent Wednesday to members and obtained by Entertainment Weekly.
Partially inspired by the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires that led to delays for several awards season events, EW has learned that changes to the upcoming ABC telecast include a shift toward acknowledging those who fought against the wildfires, and will move away from live performances of the eventual Best Original Song nominees in favor of a spotlight on the songwriters behind the tunes. Similarly, the 84th Oscars broadcast in 2012 did not include performances of the contenders, as only two nominees were recognized in that year's bracket.
Among other segments focusing on Los Angeles' beauty and resilience, the show will "reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry." This is set to include other "powerful musical moments" complimenting the show's theme.
Also returning this year are the "Fab 5" presentations in key categories, which, in the past, welcomed back several film artists to recognize individual category nominees in the major brackets. In the past, this primarily included the acting categories.
Likely Best Original Song nominees that will be impacted by the change include Selena Gomez, who performed the Emilia Pérez song "Mi Camino" in the Jacques Audiard-directed musical thriller, as well as Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón, who performed the film's other presumptive Best Original Song contender, "El Mal." None of the aforementioned stars wrote the songs, however, so the nominations would only go to writers Clément Ducol, Camille, and Audiard (who is credited alongside Ducol and Camille on "El Mal" only.)
EW has reached out to Academy representatives for comment.
Other Best Original Song contenders include 13 other tunes that appeared on the Academy's shortlisted songs, including "Compress/Repress" from Challengers, "Never Too Late" from Elton John: Never Too Late, and "Kiss the Sky" from The Wild Robot, and perennial contender Diane Warren's "The Journey" from The Six Triple Eight, among others.
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Shortly after the deadly L.A. wildfires broke out earlier this month, the Academy pushed back its initial nominations announcement from Friday, Jan. 17 to Sunday, Jan. 19. It was later moved to its current slot on Thursday morning, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET / 5:30 a.m. PT with presenters Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott.
The 2025 Oscars telecast -- hosted by Conan O'Brien -- airs Sunday, March 2, on ABC and Hulu at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the official red carpet presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.