The 2025 Academy Awards organizers announced a major shift to this year’s show amid backlash for refusing to cancel the event in the wake of the LA fires.

In a letter to its members on Wednesday, the Academy outlined plans to ‘honor’ the city of Los Angeles, which has already lost 28 lives and seen 63 square miles reduced to ash, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

‘We will honor Los Angeles as the city of dreams, showcasing its beauty and resilience, as well as its role as a beacon for filmmakers and creative visionaries for over a century,’ said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang. 

‘We will reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry.’

However, it was the additional details of the show that raised eyebrows among fans of the glamorous Hollywood affair. 

‘Also, this year the Best Original Song category presentation will move away from live performances and will be focused on the songwriters,’ the letter continued. 

The 2025 Academy Awards organizers announced a major shift to this year’s show amid backlash for refusing to cancel the event in the wake of the LA fires 

In a letter to its members on Wednesday, the Academy outlined plans to ‘honor’ the city of Los Angeles , which has already lost 28 lives and seen 63 square miles reduced to ash, according to The Hollywood Reporter

‘We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life.’ 

In the past, each nominated song was performed live during the telecast, with songwriters being acknowledged afterward.

However, the spotlight tended to be on the performers despite the fact that the nominees in the Best Original Song category were the songwriters themselves.

Read More Oscar bosses REFUSING to cancel Hollywood’s biggest night amid LA fires

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences concluded the letter: ‘There is so much more in store, including powerful musical moments that connect film’s rich history to its bold and inspiring future. 

‘We hope you will tune in tomorrow morning to watch the Nominations Announcement, and we greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to the Academy and our film community. We are stronger together.’

The Oscar nominations had previously been postponed twice due to the fires.

The Oscar Nominees Luncheon has been canceled while the Scientific and Technical Awards have been postponed as well.

It was revealed the ‘prevailing sentiment within the Academy’s leadership’ is ‘that the show should go on – in a dignified manner that would help to raise funds for and celebrate fire relief efforts.’

‘Also, this year the Best Original Song category presentation will move away from live performances and will be focused on the songwriters,’ the letter continued; (Osage singers and dancers perform a song from the movie ”Killers of the Flower Moon”, nominated for Best Original Song, during the 96th annual Academy Awards)

In the past, each nominated song was performed live during the telecast, with songwriters being acknowledged afterward; (Robin Williams performs the song Blame Canada, a song nominated for Best Original Song, during the 72nd Academy Awards 26 March 2000)

‘We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life,’ continued the letter; (Finneas O’Connell (L) and Billie Eilish, winners of the Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘What Was I Made For?’ from ‘Barbie’)

An insider had told the US Sun that there was a  growing concern that proceeding with the glitzy Oscars 2025 bash could be seen as tone-deaf given the recent destruction. 

‘The board’s main concern at this time is to not look like they are celebrating while many Los Angelenos are dealing with heartbreak and unimaginable loss,’ an insider told the publication. 

The insider added that ‘the very thought of having a waiter, a poorly paid innocent who has lost their home, serving delicate Wagyu burgers and sliced cucumber sandwiches to multi-millionaire movie stars doesn’t exactly sit right.’ 

There are 17 separate branches of the Oscars’ committees who realize ‘that in a worst case situation, the fires could continue for weeks, prompting disastrous and cataclysmic issues for LA and Hollywood, where the awards are staged.’

The source added that the situation is being monitored with ‘some well-known faces consulted’ and that ‘everything is so up in the air that anything could happen.’ 

Even though awards ceremony is proceeding, the extravagant $171,000 goody bags have been eliminated, as they have been deemed in ‘bad taste’ by board members.

These lavish gifts included a three-night stay in the Swiss Alps, beauty treatments, exquisite jewelry, and a $1,220 barbecue grill.