Oscars 2024: Emotional moments as Osage Tribal singers' 'Wahzhazhe' performance leaves fans teary-eyed
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: For the first time in history, the Osage Tribal Singers graced the 'Oscars' stage, delivering a powerful performance. Leading with the poignant rendition of 'Wahzhazhe' (A Song For My People) from the western crime drama movie 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' Scott George and more than two dozen musicians gathered around a tribal drum, leaving viewers in awe. The stage's backdrop turned a vivid red, with a giant glowing sun in the form of the drum at its center.
As the Natives took the stage, a fan wrote, "I’m sorry, seeing them play Wahzhazhe at the Oscars, considering Hollywood’s history of completely disrespecting Native American culture, brought a tear to my eye."
Another emotional fan tweeted, "Holy s**t. A native drum circle on stage at the #oscars. I promise you, so many people are ugly crying right now. That was extremely moving. The people there in person had to have chills, it sounds so good when you are there."
"Watching some real American natives performing at the #Oscar2024, reminder of another genocide committed by the ones that nowadays talk about illegal immigrants !!!" wrote another. Another praised the performance, "Beautiful display from the Natives Thank you for performing for us at the #Oscars."
"Okay now hollywood, advocate for natives more actively," wondered one. "Just got really emotional after the Natives did their thing on the Oscars... That was amazing," claimed a viewer.
I’m sorry, seeing them play Wahzhazhe at the Oscars, considering Hollywood’s history of completely disrespecting Native American culture, brought a tear to my eye.
— shmulik (@souljagoytellem) March 11, 2024
Holy shit. A native drum circle on stage at the #oscars. I promise you, so many people are ugly crying right now. That was extremely moving. The people there in person had to have chills, it sounds so good when you are there.
— 💦 Blue Deluge 🌊💙 (@livetweettweet) March 11, 2024
Watching some real American natives performing at the #Oscar2024, reminder of another genocide committed by the ones that nowadays talk about illegal immigrants !!!
— Angélica Alamillo (@Musavirtual) March 11, 2024
Beautiful display from the Natives ❤️
— Chris Valentino (Screenplay Writer) (@ChrisValentino0) March 11, 2024
Thank you for performing for us at the #Oscars #KillersOfTheFlowerMoon
Just got really emotional after the Natives did their thing on the Oscars...
— James-Paul Vega (Formerly Justin) (@PoeticSoul8615) March 11, 2024
That was amazing
'Wahzhazhe' nominated for Best Original Song at 'Oscars' 2024
Among the four other songs, 'Wahzhazhe' has been nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars 2024. The movie it originates from, 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' has clinched 10 nominations.
This epic saga of love and betrayal is based on the bestselling book of the same name by author David Grann. It tells the true story of the 1920s murders of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma.
'I don't think it was really envisioned': Scott Geroge says as movie 'Killers of the Flower Moon' gets nominated for 'Oscars'
Scott was surprised to see how much praise 'Killers of the Flower Moon' received. He expressed to KOCO 5, "I don't think it was really envisioned until after most of the movie was filmed."
He revealed that Martin Scorsese had contacted him, saying, "We've got this last scene we want to do. Would you help us with it?" Scott responded with excitement, "It's like, 'Yeah, fine. You know we'll do it.'"
In the final scene of the movie, Scott and the Osage tribal singers sang 'Wahzhazhe' in the Osage language. "From my heart, I want to say that my people have suffered through all of this. I want you to stand up. I want you to be proud and acknowledge the fact that God got us here, got us this far," Scott said.
The 96th Academy Awards is held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with Jimmy Kimmel as host for a fourth time.