Beyonce to sing at Oscars but Van Morrison to skip gala

Los Angeles

BEYONCE and Billie Eilish will perform during Sunday's Oscars, but outspoken vaccine sceptic Van Morrison is skipping Hollywood's biggest night, organisers said on Tuesday (Mar 22).

All three performers are nominated for best song at the 94th Academy Awards - along with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Diane Warren, whose songs will also be performed on the broadcast.

Pop superstar Beyonce's Oscar-nominated ballad Be Alive was penned for tennis biopic King Richard, which stars Will Smith as the father of tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams.

Hollywood trade publication Variety reported that Beyonce will perform live from the tennis courts in Compton where the sisters played as children.

Eilish and her brother Finneas will perform No Time To Die from the recent James Bond movie.

But while Morrison, who wrote Down to Joy for Kenneth Branagh's black-and-white childhood drama Belfast, was invited to perform at the star-studded gala, he "will not attend the Oscars due to his tour schedule," organisers said.

Morrison's high-profile criticism of pandemic restrictions - including three anti-lockdown "protest songs" - and opposition to vaccine mandates had led to questions about whether he would be welcomed at the Oscars.

The ceremony taking place on Sunday in Hollywood requires nominees, guests and press to be vaccinated, although performers and presenters are reportedly able to attend without proof of vaccine if they undergo rigorous testing. AFP