{"id":33667,"date":"2026-01-17T13:12:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T13:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/?p=33667"},"modified":"2026-01-17T13:12:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T13:12:36","slug":"global-audiences-hold-their-breath-as-queen-latifah-honors-quincy-jones-at-the-2025-oscars-her-soulful-tribute-lifting-the-dolby-theatre-into-a-tearful-standing-ovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/?p=33667","title":{"rendered":"Global audiences hold their breath as Queen Latifah honors Quincy Jones at the 2025 Oscars, her soulful tribute lifting the Dolby Theatre into a tearful standing ovation."},"content":{"rendered":"

Global audiences watching the 97th Academy Awards<\/strong> on March 2, 2025, witnessed a moment that transcended ceremony and became history. As the lights dimmed inside the Dolby Theatre, a hush fell over the room\u2014then Queen Latifah<\/span><\/span><\/strong> stepped forward to honor the late Quincy Jones<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, delivering a tribute so joyful and reverent that it brought the entire audience to a tearful standing ovation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The performance followed the In Memoriam segment, shifting the tone from reflection to celebration. Introduced by Oprah Winfrey<\/span><\/span><\/strong> and Whoopi Goldberg<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u2014both longtime collaborators and beneficiaries of Jones\u2019s creative vision\u2014Latifah launched into a soaring rendition of \u201cEase on Down the Road.\u201d<\/strong> The song, produced by Jones for the 1978 film The Wiz<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, became the perfect vehicle for a final salute that honored not just a man, but a movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dressed in a radiant gold caped gown, Queen Latifah commanded the stage with warmth and authority. She was joined by an ensemble of dancers in Wicked-inspired costumes and vocalist Dorian Holley<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, creating a vibrant celebration that reflected Jones\u2019s lifelong commitment to joy, innovation, and what Goldberg described as \u201cBlack excellence.\u201d The performance transformed the Dolby Theatre into a living testament to Jones\u2019s belief that music should lift people up.<\/span><\/p>\n

The choice of song carried deep historical and personal meaning. Quincy Jones earned one of his seven Oscar nominations for his work on The Wiz<\/em>, and \u201cEase on Down the Road\u201d remains one of the film\u2019s most enduring anthems. For Latifah, the tribute was also deeply personal. She worked with Jones on his acclaimed 1995 album Q\u2019s Jook Joint<\/em>, and has often cited him as a mentor who opened doors in an industry that rarely offered them freely.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Latifah\u2019s vocals soared, the reaction was immediate and unscripted. Stars including Cynthia Erivo<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, Colman Domingo<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, and Ariana Grande<\/span><\/span><\/strong> rose to their feet, dancing and clapping along. The standing ovation spread like a wave, turning the tribute into one of the most emotionally charged moments of the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

The performance also underscored Jones\u2019s historic legacy within the Academy. He was the first Black musician to serve as music director for the Oscars in 1971 and the first Black composer nominated for Best Original Song. Just months earlier, in November 2024, the Academy honored him with an Honorary Oscar, accepted by his daughter Rashida Jones<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

By turning a memorial into a jubilant celebration, Queen Latifah ensured that Quincy Jones was remembered not in silence, but in song. As the final note rang out and the theatre erupted, the message was unmistakable: Quincy Jones may be gone, but his music\u2014and his spirit\u2014will continue to ease the world down the road for generations to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

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@fandango<\/a> <\/p>\n

Queen Latifah delivers a beautiful tribute to Quincy Jones with her rendition of ‘Ease On Down The Road’ from #TheWiz<\/a> at the Oscars. #movietok<\/a> #filmtok<\/a> #awardseason<\/a> #awardsseason<\/a> #queenlatifa<\/a> #quincyjones<\/a> #easeondowntheroad<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c original sound – Fandango<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n