One of the most memorable musical moments of the 98th Academy Awards came when singer Miles Caton and music veteran Raphael Saadiq performed the Oscar-nominated song I Lied to You. The track appears in the film Sinners and was nominated in the Best Original Song category. Written by Saadiq and composer Ludwig Göransson, the performance stood out for its theatrical staging and the number of musicians and performers who joined the act.
The ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. During the performance segment, the Academy Awards stage was transformed into a recreation of the juke joint featured in Sinners. The set design drew inspiration from the film’s 1930s setting, creating an immersive environment that connected the live performance to the story portrayed in the movie.
Miles Caton, who plays the character Sammie in the film, began the performance by stepping onto the stage and delivering the opening vocals while playing guitar. As the song progressed, the stage filled with performers dressed in period-inspired clothing that reflected the atmosphere of the film. Dancers in 1930s-style costumes moved across the set, recreating the lively energy of a Southern juke joint and adding visual storytelling to the musical number.
The performance gradually expanded as more artists joined Caton on stage. Actor Jayme Lawson and actor Li Jun Li appeared during the act, linking the performance directly to the cast of the film. Their presence reinforced the connection between the cinematic narrative and the live musical interpretation presented during the awards ceremony.
A number of well-known musicians also participated in the performance, creating a collaborative musical showcase. These included Brittany Howard, Shaboozey, Alice Smith, blues guitarist Buddy Guy, guitarist Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, rock guitarist Eric Gales and blues musician Bobby Rush. Their combined contributions created a layered sound that blended blues, soul and contemporary musical elements.
Songwriter Raphael Saadiq also appeared on stage during the performance, adding vocals and guitar alongside Caton. The act featured choreography as well, including a segment by celebrated ballet dancer Misty Copeland. Her appearance introduced a graceful visual contrast to the energetic juke joint atmosphere while maintaining the dramatic tone of the performance.
The full performance of “I Lied To You” from ‘SINNERS’ at the Oscars.
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Additional appearances during the performance included actors Jack O’Connell, Lola Kirke and Peter Dreimanis. In the film, these performers portray vampire characters who attack the juke joint, creating one of the central conflicts in the story. Their appearance during the live act subtly referenced the film’s dramatic plotline.
“I Lied to You” was one of only two Best Original Song nominees performed live during the ceremony. The other was Golden from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters. By including only a limited number of live musical numbers, the ceremony placed greater focus on the performances that did take place.
Even before the Oscars, the song had already gained recognition during the awards season. It received the award for Best Song Written and/or Recorded for a Film at the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards. The track also earned honours at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, where it was recognised in categories including feature film song and onscreen performance.
The film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, entered the 2026 Oscars race with significant momentum. The movie received a total of 16 nominations across multiple categories, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Its strong presence at the ceremony reflected both critical recognition and the film’s broader cultural impact.
By the end of the performance, the combination of music, choreography and cinematic storytelling had drawn enthusiastic reactions from the audience. While the Oscars often highlight individual winners, performances like this illustrate how the ceremony also serves as a platform for celebrating the collaborative nature of filmmaking and music.
