The Most Memorable Dance Moments from the 2024 Academy Awards

2024 is a big year for the Oscars dance world, with history-making performances, heart-pounding ensembles, and a surprising “In Memoriam” segment.

We still support the Best Choreography category because dance remains an integral part of the films nominated each year. But until then, we still love seeing our favorite art form on the Dolby Theater stage.

“Wazazi” comes from Killers of the Flower Moon

Eight Osage dancers join Scott George and the Osage Tribal Singers to perform historic “Wahzazhe (A Song for My People)” Killers of the Flower Moon. George made Oscar history with “Wahzazhe,” becoming the first Native American to be nominated for Best Original Song. He was also the first member of the Osage Nation to be nominated to the academy.

As dancers and singers follow the beat of drums against a sunset backdrop, they invite an international audience to witness an intimate and boundless celebration. It was a groundbreaking performance that marked the first time a member of the Osage Nation or any Native community danced on the Oscar stage.

“I’m just willing” comes from Barbie

It’s safe to say that the Oscars felt “energy” once Ryan Gosling and his band took the stage. BarbieThe tongue-in-cheek power ballad “I’m Just Ken” is also nominated for best original song. Choreographed by Mandy Moore, the choreography stars several members of the film’s original cast, including Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir, and features kicks, unapologetic melodrama, Cardboard cutout and reference to Jack’s nose. Oh, and slash.

Best Actress winner Emma Stone later pointed out that acting was to blame for tearing her dress. (Don’t worry, Emma, ​​we’re dancing, too.)

“Condolences” section

This year’s “In Memory of” tribute, which featured a group of dancers accompanying Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli as they sang Andrea Bocelli’s hit song “Time to Say Goodbye,” was a surprise to some. A welcome surprise, but an annoying visual distraction to others. This isn’t the first time dancing has appeared in the clip. In 1996, Savion Glover performed “Singin’ in the Rain” as a tribute to the late Gene Kelly, who died that year. This year’s performance included a subtle and touching moment for the late Chita Rivera, who died on January 30 – a simple shift of focus in the face of Rivera’s photo on a projection screen and slow-motion hip sway.

While the dancers brought stunning synchronicity and reverent artistry to Moore’s second piece of the evening’s choreography, the performance was met with pushback from the audience, who felt they and the Bocellis were distracting.