Queen Latifah was joined on stage by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg to honor the late Quincy Jones at the 2025 Oscars.
“When we’re talking about Black excellence, we’re talking about Quincy,” declared Goldberg to applause. She and Winfrey continued to run down Jones’ historic accolades.
“Paying tribute to him for all he has meant to our movie community is why we all honor Q’s memory tonight. Quincy was love lived out loud in human form and he poured that love into others and into his work. My life changed forever and for the better after meeting him. He actually discovered me for The Color Purple, which was my first film,” reflected Winfrey.
(L-R) Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey speak onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
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“So tonight we honor the true American legend,” added Goldberg before welcoming Queen Latifah to the stage.
The New Jersey native glistened centerstage among a colorful crew of dancers and background dancers, delivering a lively rendition of “Ease on Down the Road” from the 1978 adaptation of The Wiz, which Jones produced as a duet between Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Colman Domingo are among the celebs who took to their feet for the upbeat tribute.
The legendary Quincy Jones died of pancreatic cancer in November 2024. He was 91 years old.
“He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity,” shared the family at the time of his death.
The 2025 Academy Awards took place on Sunday (March 2) from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, televised live on ABC and streamed live on Hulu. Watch Queen Latifah perform a tribute at the annual event above.
Queen Latifah at the 97th Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
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