Mick Jagger’s Unexpected Stage Appearance
The 81-year-old Rolling Stones frontman stunned the crowd when he stepped out to present the award for Best Original Song. He wasn’t filling in for anyone—some legends are simply best when they arrive unannounced.
As the opening chords of “Sympathy for the Devil” played, Jagger’s name was announced, and the crowd immediately rose to their feet. Elton John even exchanged a wide-eyed glance with his husband, David Furnish, as they joined in the applause.
“You’re so kind, thank you so much,” Jagger said, placing his hand over his heart. “Thank you so much, everyone. Very kind of you, my goodness.”
Then he got right to the point. “I’m very honored to be invited to give this award for the Best Original Song tonight. As much as I love doing it, I wasn’t the first choice to give this award out. The producers really wanted Bob Dylan to do this.”
Jagger’s Playful Jab At Bob Dylan
Dylan’s absence became a running joke throughout the night, especially since the biopic “A Complete Unknown,” featuring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, was nominated for eight Oscars.
“Bob didn’t want to do it,” Jagger continued, “because he said the best songs this year were obviously in the movie ‘A Complete Unknown.’ Bob said, ‘You should find somebody younger.’ I said, ‘OK, I’m younger! I’m younger than Bob, I’ll do it.’ So here I am.”
And Jagger, in fact, is two years younger than Dylan.
He then announced the winner: “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez,” written by Clement Ducol, Camille, and director Jacques Audiard. The song won over “Mi Camino” from the same film, “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight, “Like a Bird” from Sing Sing, and “Never Too Late” from “Elton John: Never Too Late.”
Jagger’s Night Out At The Oscars
Jagger didn’t disappear after his time on stage. Instead of heading home, he attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party with his partner Melanie Hamrick. The two share an 8-year-old son, Deveraux Octavian Basil Jagger, the youngest of Jagger’s eight children.
Though the Rolling Stones had been on a world tour just last year, Jagger’s appearance at the Oscars was a rare red-carpet moment for him in Los Angeles. While in town, he also attended Chanel and Charles Finch’s annual pre-Oscars dinner on March 1 at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge, making the most of his time on the West Coast.
