Oscars viewers have slammed a controversial James Bond tribute at Sunday's ceremony as "bizarre" and "pointless".
The segment featured performances by Lisa, Doja Cat and Raye singing iconic Bond themes, with Margaret Qualley opening with a dance routine.
The tribute came just one week after Amazon acquired the rights to the 007 franchise.
Many questioned the timing and purpose of the extended musical interlude, with no new Bond film in production.
The performance included renditions of Live and Let Die, Diamonds are Forever and Skyfall, but left audiences confused about its relevance to this year's awards.
The segment began with Qualley performing a dance routine to the iconic Bond theme music.
Oscars 2025: Halle Berry kicked off the tribute
ITV
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Lisa from Blackpink descended from the ceiling to sing Live and Let Die, originally performed by Wings for the 1973 film.
Doja Cat followed with a glittery rendition of Diamonds Are Forever, dressed in strands of diamonds as she performed the Shirley Bassey classic.
Raye completed the tribute with a performance of Adele's Skyfall, wearing a black-and-white gown and accompanied by an orchestra.
Halle Berry, who starred as Jinx in 2002's Die Another Day, introduced the performance with a tribute to Bond and the actors who have played him.
Oscars 2025: Doja Cat was one of the three singers who took part in the routine
ITV
Viewers took to social media to express their bewilderment at the lengthy Bond segment.
"Was there a big push for James Bond content at the Oscars that I wasn't aware of????" one viewer tweeted.
Another questioned: "Where were any of the Bond actors? Why not get Adele to sing her own song? So many questions abt this entire thing lol."
"The Oscars: we gotta cut down on the runtime. Also The Oscars: 7 minute James Bond musical interlude in a year where there was no James Bond movie released," wrote a third.
And a fourth weighed in: "I was thinking the new James Bond actor was going to be releaved exclusive at the #Oscars which got my attention but it wasn't the case, which was disappointing . #Oscars2025."
Several others pleaded with bosses to announce a new Bond actor soon while Jonathan Ross, hosting ITV's Oscars coverage, joked the sequence made him think "we'd gone to Strictly Come Dancing's Blackpool special".
Critics have suggested the tribute was heavily influenced by Amazon's recent acquisition of the Bond franchise.
The tribute was officially framed as honouring long-time Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.
The pair were announced as winners of the Academy's Irving G Thalberg Memorial Award in 2024.
Last week, news broke that the producers were selling their interest in EON, the company that has kept the Broccoli dynasty in creative control of 007 since 1962.
The deal with Amazon MGM Studios will see the tech giant take creative control over the character with a new venture.
Broccoli, 64, and Wilson, 83, will co-own the franchise rights with Amazon but step back from their previous roles.
Oscars 2025: Raye took on Adele's Skyfall
ITV
The future of the Bond franchise remains uncertain, with no announcement of Daniel Craig's replacement since his final portrayal in 2021's No Time To Die.
Bond songs have historically performed well at the Oscars, with Skyfall, Writing's on the Wall and No Time to Die all winning Academy Awards.
Asked on the red carpet about her song partners, Raye said: "They are two ridiculous true artists. … I love them both so much."
When questioned earlier about performing a Bond tribute, Raye had told ITV "of course not", before adding: "Obviously, I'd freaking love that. Are you joking? I love the Bond franchise … it would be an honour."
