The Atlantic

The Real Message of Janelle Monáe’s Oscars Performance

The singer’s opener showed that for women and people of color, tongue-in-cheek references and talk of progress mean nothing without trophies.
Source: Chris Pizzello / AP

The Oscars knew it had some explaining to do. Going into Sunday night’s ceremony, the Academy had not only failed to nominate a single female director despite a spike in women-directed films, but also nominated just one actor of color across all performing categories—stats that once again landed the organization in hot water.

The show acknowledged the criticisms immediately. To open the evening, the Academy invited the singer and actor . She led an elaborate number that involved backup dancers, , and . “It’s time to come alive,” Monáe sang, “because the Oscars is so white!”

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