Lady Gaga‘s song ‘Til It Happens to You’ lost out to Sam Smith for ‘Best Original Song’ at the Oscars, but she won the hearts of every-bloody-one with a moving performance honouring victims of sexual assault around the world.
She was introduced to the stage by US Vice President Joe Biden, who said of the ‘The Hunting Ground’-featured song: “Too many women and men…are still victims of sexual abuse.”
“Take the pledge. A pledge that says, ‘I will intervene in situations where consent cannot or has not been given.’ Let’s change the culture.”
Gaga, who belted out the song at an all-white piano, was joined onstage by a group of male and female survivors, who each had moving words or phrases written on their arms i.e. “It Happened to Me” and “Survivor.”
At the song’s end, they all held hands to a rapturous standing ovation from the audience.
Check out the video. Powerful stuff.
#Oscars: Watch @LadyGaga perform ‘Til It Happens to You’, up for Best Original Song tonight https://t.co/cv45ZqaBaE https://t.co/dXWQvkAOvC
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 29, 2016
If you feel distressed by this story, or if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual or domestic violence, you can speak to a friendly counsellor at 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Photo: Getty / Kevin Winter.
