Esperanza Spalding's Oscar Performance Hits the Right Notes
Esperanza Spalding's Oscar Performance Hits the Right Notes Esperanza Spalding may not have been a nominee at Sunday's Oscars, but it was clear that her performance of "What a Wonderful World" was award-winning.
Spalding performed the Louis Armstrong hit along with the Southern California Children's Chorus. She took to Facebook to tell fans "Thank you for all your kind words about the performance last night at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences/the Oscars. It was an honor to be invited to play, and the Southern California Children's Choir was amazing."
Fans expressed their support for her performance. "Esperanza Spalding sounds like an angel," noted actress Holly Robinson Peete. Spalding has had a rocky career, though much of it has been filled with success. She won the Grammy for Best New Artist last year, much to the disappointment of Justin Bieber fans who acted out and trashed her Wikipedia page.
Bieber told MTV News, "I had no clue what was going to happen; I worked really hard these past few years, and you know, I'm not going to lie - I was disappointed. But, you know, I'm gonna come back and we'll take a few home … I'm inspired to work harder than I did last year. It's going to be hard, but I'm going to try."
Spalding herself was shocked by the win. "I really didn't think it was going to be me. I was one of those [surprised] people… It was so unexpected, that's the truth. I'm grateful to all my people in my big musical family that have given me so much support and help over the years. I don't really think this is for me; it's for all of us. And I wish they could all be here to put one finger on this with me," she told MTV News.
The two immediately exchanged congrats and there is no bad blood between them. Spalding has since released "Black Gold" on the radio airwaves and will kick off a new tour in April. Her new album "Radio Music Society" will be released later this year.
SEE VIDEO OF ESPERANZA SPALDING'S RED CARPET OSCAR INTERVIEW
SEE VIDEO THE AUDIO OF ESPERANZA SPALDING'S OSCAR PERFORMANCE OF 'WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD'
