All gazes were riveted on Doja Cat during the Oscars extravaganza. The pop megastar was entrusted with the daunting task of serenading the audience with "Diamonds Are Forever" during a segment celebrating the iconic James Bond theme songs. Over the years, Doja has amply demonstrated her vocal virtuosity, yet her Oscar performance fell short of her aspirations. Viewers flocked to social media to lambast her for her lackluster rendition and the disappointing deviation from the timeless original. Never one to mince her words, Doja Cat swiftly responded to the uproar.
Remarkably, Doja Cat acknowledged her vocal shortcomings with candor. She refrained from dismissing the criticisms as mere blind hatred and confessed to being engulfed by nerves. "The jitters got the best of me," she admitted. "And, yes, I hit a few flat notes." She further shed light on the circumstances surrounding her performance, highlighting that she seldom gets the opportunity to unleash her voice in such a boisterous and vocally exacting number as "Diamonds Are Forever." It was, indeed, no mean feat. "I seldom get to sing like that, and what I did was courageous and terrifying as hell for me," she elaborated. "I understand that many didn't appreciate it, but many did, and I'm content knowing I pushed myself to the limit."
Historically, Doja Cat has been prone to clashes with her fans. However, in this instance, she struck an admirable equilibrium between defending herself and acknowledging her flaws. She commended herself for her daring attempt, even acknowledging room for improvement. Yet, Doja Cat wasn't the sole target of criticism in the James Bond tribute segment. Raye, who sang Adele's "Skyfall," also faced backlash for what was deemed a subpar performance. Indeed, the entire segment left long-standing 007 fans feeling dissatisfied.
Despite the mixed response to her musical offering, Doja Cat's diverse Oscar wardrobe garnered widespread acclaim. Her leopard print dress on the red carpet left fans breathless. For the James Bond performance, she transformed her look, donning a bespoke Swarovski gown created in collaboration with Brett Alan Nelson. The dress seamlessly aligned with the thematic essence of the song. Afterward, she graced the Oscars afterparty in a customized Balmain dress adorned with nine distinct hues of gold beads, stealing the spotlight once again.
