The pop star battle for an Oscar is over, with neither Lady Gaga or Rihanna winning Best Original Song at the Oscars this evening.
“Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Ryan Coogler and “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick by Lady Gaga and Bloodpop, Tems caught everyone's attention when the nominations were announced earlier this year.
The nomination marked seven-time Grammy winner Rihanna's first from the Academy, while Lady Gaga won in the same category for Shallow back in 2019.
But it was 'Naatu Naatu' from 'RRR' that won the Oscar for Best Original Song on Sunday night.
He wrote the award-winning song Naatu Naatu from Bollywood blockbuster RRR, and has already seen great success during the 2023 awards season, having scooped best song accolades at both the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards
The 61-year-old said: “I grew up listening to The Carpenters and now here I am with the Oscars.”
He went on to sing: “There was only one wish on my mind…RRR has to win, pride of every Indian, and must put me on top of your world.”
The songs lyrics were by Chandrabose.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has sent his congratulations to the team behind the song after they surprised viewers beating pop icons Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
He tweeted: “Exceptional! The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to @mmkeeravaani, @boselyricist and the entire team for this prestigious honour. India is elated and proud.”
The category boasted a talented shortlist for the highly-coveted gong this year, with “Applause” from Tell It like a Woman, Diane Warren, Ludwig Göransson, M. M. Keeravani, Rahul Sipligunj and “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once, David Byrne, Son Lux and Mitski making up the rest of the nominees.
As the nominations were revealed in January, many spotted one pop star missing from the nods - Taylor Swift.
The American singer, whose “Carolina” from Where the Crawdads Sing was on the shortlist of 15 films in contention to be nominated, but failed to make the final cut.
