Oscars under fire for playing Toto's 'Africa' to introduce black presenters, Madonna's 'La Isla Bonita' for Latina presenter



Social media erupted Sunday night, calling out the 94th Academy Awards' showrunners for using what they said was questionable music to introduce presenters of color.

The swanky annual ceremony was managed, however, by black producer Will Packer, who led an all-black producing team — an awards ceremony first.

What are the details?

According to a Monday report from the Hollywood Reporter, the show's production team caught the ire of the internet after choosing Toto's "Africa" to introduce black presenters — actor Daniel Kaluuya and musician H.E.R. — to the stage to present the award for Best Supporting Actress.

The internet, of course, rallied and called out the production for the supposed snafu.

One user wrote, "And the Oscar for 'Absolute Worst Time to Play ‘Africa’ by Toto' goes to … THE OSCARS."

Another added that the choice to incorporate more suitable music was a no-brainer.

"Who the hell picked 'Africa' as the song for Daniel and H.E.R. walking up, that seems like the easiest choice to not make," the user said, while another added, "[D]aniel kaluuya and h.e.r. walking out to 'africa' is totally not an intentional decision on the producers' part."

Another user complained, "Hollywood has mutated into an even worse parody of a bad parody of itself."

"Maybe don't play Toto's 'Africa' when you introduce the first two black presenters of the night," admonished another angry user.

A second offense

Showrunners quickly sparked further anger after cuing Madonna's "La Isla Bonita" to accompany actress Stephanie Beatriz's walk on stage to present the award for Best Original Song.

One user wrote, "[P]retty sure them playing 'La Isla Bonita' by Madonna to introduce Stephanie Beatriz is a hate crime or an act of white feminist aggression. Idk, it doesn’t sit right with me. Like, just play an actual Latinx song not an appropriated one??!!"

Another expressed incredulity and added, "[S]o far they've introduced Daniel Kaluuya and H.E.R. with Toto's 'Africa' and Stephanie Beatriz with 'La Isla Bonita,' honestly how the hell is this happening?"

"The Oscars thing that shooked me more last night was that they played La Isla Bonita when they introduced Stephanie Beatriz on stage," another user admitted.

One hinted at premeditation, and wrote, "[O]k but why were they playing a la isla bonita instrumental when stephanie beatriz walked on…. kinda motivated……"

Another user hit out at the choices amid "great moments for diversity."

"Still cringing from La Isla Bonita played for Stephanie Beatriz, and Marc Anthony's Vivir mi Vida for Encanto, following Africa for Daniel Kaluuya and HER walking on stage," the user wrote. "There were some great moments for diversity, but this seems a real step backwards."

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A-listers panic over hastily updated Academy Awards PCR testing, vaccination guidelines: Report



Celebrities are reportedly whipped up into a frenzy ahead of the annual awards ceremony, TMZ reported, all over PCR tests and vaccine guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The 94th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday at Hollywood's Dolby Theater.

What are the details?

The entertainment trade site wrote, "[F]ear is in the air especially this year, as attendees wait nervously for their COVID test results."

According to the report, attendees must show proof of at least two negative COVID tests as well as proof of vaccination — with the exception of Oscars presenters and performers — outdoing even Los Angeles County's own guidelines.

"For some reason, they don't have to show proof of vaccination," the report added. "[J]ust a negative test."

What else?

Deadline reported Friday that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced updated guidelines surrounding COVID-19 testing requirements as well as protocol for those attendees who have recently been diagnosed with coronavirus.

"The move comes as the number of test specimens indicating the more transmissible BA.2 Omicron have risen 130% in the past week in L.A.," Deadline reported.

As such, the Academy issued a letter indicating that the new updates were made in conjunction with the rising case rates across the county.

A portion of the letter stated, "Those who tested positive for COVID-19 and are within a zero to five-day window from the date of their first positive test are not permitted to attend under any circumstances."

"Those who tested positive for COVID-19 and are within a six to ten-day window from the date of their first positive test are required to provide proof of negative results from two verified PCR, Lucira or Cue Health COVID-19 tests," the letter continued. "These tests may not be taken on the same day and must be administered by a verified, medically trained professional."

Further, the letter noted that the 10-day window is "strictly determined by the date and time of the first positive test (antigen or PCR) from a printed lab report and is not based on a doctor’s note or start of symptoms."

"If you are outside the ten-day window (you tested positive before March 17, 2022 at 1pm PT) and have tested positive on your PCR test taken on March 24, you must provide proof of negative results from a medically supervised antigen test taken on March 26 or March 27," the letter continued.

In its letter, the Academy also recommended that, leading up to the show, attendees should practice social distancing and wear masks, as well as avoid “enclosed and crowded spaces” and more.

On April 1, Los Angeles County is set to be lock-step with the state's guidelines and will lift all requirements for indoor "mega-event" attendees.