Doja joined Margaret Qualley, Blackpink’s Lisa, and Raye to pay tribute to the spy franchise
Doja Cat, whose discography includes farm-animal jingle “Mooo!” and the Dionne Warwick-sampled “Paint the Town Red,” made a big impression at the 97th Oscars. Doja performed a rendition of the James Bond anthem “Diamonds Are Forever,” dressed in a gown embellished with crystals. In a social media post Monday, the pop singer expressed her gratitude to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and acknowledged her performance hiccups.
“I never get to sing like that and what I did was brave and scary as fuck for me,” Doja wrote on Instagram. “I know a lot of people didn’t like it but a lot of people did and I feel good that I pushed myself.”
“Diamonds are Forever” was originally sung by Shirley Bassey for the 1971 Bond film of the same name, starring Sean Connery in the title role. Bassey also sung the theme songs for two other films in the spy franchise: 1964’s Goldfinger and 1979’s Moonraker.
The James Bond tribute opened with a choreographed number featuring The Substance actress Margaret Qualley. Next, Blackpink’s Lisa performed “Live and Let Die,” the classic from the 1973 film of the same name, followed by Doja, who performed “Diamonds are Forever.”
“The song is a classic and I put a lot of work into it but the nerves got to me and a bitch hit some flats,” she added. “I can’t wait to do something like that again. What a blessing that was. I feel amazing about the whole thing.”
The tribute paid homage to the film series’ producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who received Honorary Oscars at the Governors Awards. Raye closed out the musical number with a rousing take on Adele’s “Skyfall,” featured in the Daniel Craig-helmed spy film Skyfall. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Raye praised her stage counterparts Lisa and Doja.
“It was so electric, we just have a beautiful chemistry and I just love those girls,” Raye said. “They’re so kind and hard working and inspiring.”
