Rapper-actor Eminem will not perform his Oscar-nominated hit, “Lose Yourself,” at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony.
Dennis Dennehy of Interscope Records told USA Today, “He’ll still be on vacation during the Academy Awards.”
Oscar-show producer Gil Cates, who usually attempts to persuade all the artists nominated for best original song to perform, explained how he might work out the wrinkle. “There’s no rule that the nominees have to sing or that you even have to include all of the numbers in the show,” Cates says. “I could do a medley or no songs at all….It’s a very fluid show with few constraints.”
Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” from 8 Mile is up against U2’s “The Hands That Built America” from Gangs Of New York, Paul Simon’s “Father And Daughter” from The Wild Thornberrys Movie, Elliot Goldenthal and Julie Taymor’s “Burn It Blue” from Frida, and John Kander and Fred Ebb’s “I Move On” from Chicago.
The 75th Annual Academy Awards will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on March 23rd. The show will air live on ABC beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.