Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

M.I.A. as M-O-M May Do Oscars Performance from B-E-D

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

She hit the stage at the Grammys a couple of weeks ago 9 months pregnant, gave birth to her son with boyfriend Benjamin Bronfman a couple of days later, and now is working with organizers of Sunday's Oscars telecast to arrange how she might perform live on the awards show. The Guardian UK explains:

According to reports today the rapper is keen to fulfil her commitment to perform her Oscar-nominated song from Slumdog Millionaire, "O Saya," at the awards ceremony. She is said to be trying to find a way to overcome the physical issues of performing so soon after giving birth, including, it's alleged, an appearance by hologram or, failing that, one delivered from a bed live on stage.

Oscars producer Laurence Mark would be fine with the British musical artist rolling onto the Kodak Theatre stage in a bed, and wants to make the appearance as easy on the new mom as possible.

But will MIA make it--somehow--to the show to perform the song she worked on with AR Rahman? The Indian composer calls that the ""million-dollar question." It's hard to wager what will be more awkward to watch--a brand new mom rapping in person while lying down or as a hologram (flashbacks to Will.i.am on CNN during Election coverage). Maybe the real million dollar question is if the hologram would be lying down...or if it's even worth all the hoopla in the first place. According to her MySpace page she's looking to "break out of the hospital"...

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today