The 94th annual Academy Awards, also known as the 2022 Oscars, airs live this Sunday (March 27), and we’re hoping it’ll be a memorable evening for plenty of nominees and attendees.
Since last year’s ceremony was the lowest-rated Oscars telecast ever, we’re hoping the Academy figures out a way to get more viewers to tune in without alienating the viewers they already have. This also comes at a time when the Oscars made the controversial decision to cut eight categories from being presented live while still trying to battle years-long accusations under the tag “Oscars So White.”
But maybe things will be different this year. Because there are plenty of things that can change the game when it comes to representation at the 2022 Oscars, especially for those in our communities. From Encanto winning big to Ariana DeBose getting the love she deserves and following in Rita Moreno’s footsteps, here are five things we’re looking forward to watching (or hope happen) at the big event.
1
Sebastián Yatra Singing ‘Dos Oruguitas’
The Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter will perform the touching Oscar-nominated song from the animated film Encanto. “Dos Oruguitas” is the first Spanish-language song to get a nod from the Academy since “Al Otro Lado del Río” from The Motorcycle Diaries won the prize in 2004.
“Having this great opportunity to represent our language, Spanish, I could not be more excited and grateful,” Yatra said in an Instagram video. “I am nervous, I feel many things, but most of all I am grateful for what is happening in life.” Here’s to us feeling many things too when Yatra takes the stage Oscar night.
2
First Live Performance of ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’
Encanto’s hit song isn’t nominated for an Oscar like “Dos Oruguitas” is, but it will get a chance to shine during the ceremony when it’s performed live for the very first time. Although Disney didn’t submit the song for consideration, “Bruno” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 10 weeks.
According to Deadline, Encanto cast members Stephanie Beatriz, Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, Carolina Gaitan, and Adassa, along with Becky G and Luis Fonsi will perform the popular track. “If there is a song that unites people this year [it is this one],” Oscar producer Will Packer said. “That is kind of the epitome to me of what movies can do, because people of all stripes, ethnicities, ages, color, background, around the world [are singing it] ad nauseum, and we are going to help them out, so they sing it a little bit more. Our apologies to the parents.”
3
Ariana DeBose Continues Winning Streak
The actress is the heavy favorite to win her first Oscar for her supporting role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. She’s already won a Gloden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice Movie Award this year, so we’re hoping she has enough room on her shelf for at least one more.
If DeBose wins Best Supporting Actress, it will happen nearly 60 years to the day that actress Rita Moreno won the same award for the same role in the original West Side Story film.
4
Latines Repping as Presenters
Sure, we’d always like to see more Latine Oscar nominees, but to be invited to the ceremony is an honor, too.
This year, the Latines who will serve as presenters at the awards show are Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, and Oscar nominee Rosie Perez, who had not been invited to the ceremony since landing her original Oscar nom 28 years ago. Also invited to the show is West Side Story’s lead actress Rachel Zegler, who initially wasn’t offered a ticket until the Twitterverse found out.
Here’s to hoping all of them get to present an award live and aren’t opening an envelope during the commercial break (since eight categories have been cut from the live telecast).
5
‘Encanto’ Getting All the Love It Deserves
Encanto, the Disney animated film and cinematic love letter to Colombia, is up for three Academy Awards – Best Animated Feature, Best Score, and Best Song (“Dos Oruguitas”). That also means three Latines could win their very first Oscars – producer Yvett Merino, composer Germaine Franco, and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. Not since 2017’s Coco has a Latine-inspired animated film touched our hearts in a similar way.