Pop star Rihanna to perform song from ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ at Oscars

Rihanna will sing at the Oscars ceremony to be held next month, organizers announced Thursday, February 23, a few weeks after her remarkable return to the stage. The Barbados-born pop star will perform his title Lift Me Upwhich leads the race for the statuette of the best original song, taken from the superhero film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at the ceremony in Hollywood. Also named in this category hold my hand performed by Lady Gaga in Top Gun: Maverick and the song Naatu Naatu by composer MM Keeravani for the film RRR.

A big comeback on stage, but no album

Prior to her Super Bowl halftime show earlier this month, Rihanna hadn’t set foot on stage in seven years. The 35-year-old artist has instead focused on her makeup, lingerie and fashion brands that have helped her become a billionaire.

She also gave birth to her first child in May 2022. Her baby bump had set social media on fire and was on everyone’s lips during the Super Bowl, with reps for the artist confirming the singer’s second pregnancy after the show.

Fans who had been hoping for snippets of the new album she’s been talking about for years during her Super Bowl performance were disappointed. Lift Me Up is the first Oscar nomination for Rihanna, who has already won nine Grammy Awards.