Why Doja Cat is Receiving Backlash for her Oscars Performance

Doja Cat’s performance at the 2025 Oscars on Sunday, Mar. 2 has gained publicity for the wrong reasons. Fans have taken to social media to criticize her singing at the award ceremony, to which Doja Cat has since responded to the negative response she’s received.

The Performance

As a part of a James Bond Tribute at the Oscars, Doja Cat sang “Diamonds are Forever” by Shirley Basset. During the performance, Doja Cat later admitted that she was a little flat on a few of the notes because she was nervous.

Fans online went further than to just say she was just a little flat but, felt that she did the song an injustice. Others on social media felt that Doja Cat was set up by the academy for making a rapper sing a song out of her vocal range.

The tribute to the “James Bond” films included a medley of some of the film’s most popular songs. Besides Doja Cat’s performance, BLACKPINK’s Lisa performed “Live and Let Die” by Paul McCartney and British singer RAYE performed Adele’s “Skyfall”.

RAYE even took to social media to say she was also nervous to perform a cover of one of the songs.

“Was sooo nervous to sing this song because no one can sing like Adele like Adele, but I tried my very best”

– RAYE via Instagram.

Doja Cat’s Response

Doja Cat responded to the criticism through an Instagram post on Mar. 3. In her post, Doja Cat thanked the academy for the opportunity to perform the song and said that she was proud of herself regardless of her performance.

“The song is a classic and I put a lot of work into it, but the nerves got to me.”

– Doja Cat via Instagram

She also mentioned in her post that performing the song was brave and scary for her since she mainly produces rap.

Doja Cat at the Oscars

Besides the backlash she received from her performance, Doja Cat still stunned on and off the stage with three different looks from the night.

Her first look, which she took to the red carpet, was a strapless leopard print dress with a mermaid train inspired by a vintage Pierre Balmain look. During her “James Bond” performance, Doja Cat wore a custom Swarovski dress that was covered in diamonds of course to fit the theme of her performance.

Her last look was at the Vanity Fair after party, where she wore another strapless Bailman dress, which was covered in gold beads. The dress took over 3,450 hours to bead and tailor, according to VOGUE.

How do you feel about Doja Cat’s Oscars performance? Let us know on X or Instagram @VALLEYMag.

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