Yahoo News Final Oscars Predictions: Original Song – Will It be the Energetic ‘Naatu Naatu’ or the Emotional ‘Lift Me Up’ to Win It All?
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages are Davis’ assessment of the current standings of the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any film or performance. Like any organization or body that votes, each individual category is fluid and subject to change. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
LAST UPDATED: March 9, 2023
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CATEGORY COMMENTARY:
This race is closer than people may be aware of. “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” is still considered the favorite, but Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance helped the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” campaign. Also, I think many ballots with Angela Bassett as supporting actress likely have “Lift Me Up” as well. The same could be said for Lady Gaga with “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick,” nominated for best picture.
Lady Gaga, who’s not performing, could also factor into a down-the-line vote for “Top Gun: Maverick” and David Byrne for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Will Win: “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” (Variance Films) – Kala Bhairava, M. M. Keeravani, Rahul Sipligunj
Could Win: “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”)
Should Win: “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR”
Should have been here: “Love is Not Love” from “Bros” (Universal Pictures) – Marc Shaiman and Billy Eichner
See the latest film predictions, in all 23 categories, in one place on Variety’s Oscars Collective. To see the ranked predictions for each individual category, visit Variety’s Oscars Hub.
See the 2022-2023 Awards Season calendar for all key dates and timelines.
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2023 Academy Awards Predictions
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The 95th Oscars ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre and televised live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
2022 category winner: "No Time to Die" by Billie Eilish and Finneas from "No Time to Die" (MGM/United Artists Releasing)
About Variety Awards Circuit:
Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online and provides inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races. In addition to predictions, the section includes -- Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders in the race; Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly series featuring interviews with the top contenders in the awards race and an expert roundtable discussion with Variety's leading editors and columnists; Awards Circuit Predictions Video Series, a deep dive into specific categories, led by the leading pundits.
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