Not a dry eye! John Legend and Common’s powerful performance of Oscar-winning track “Glory” from Selma had stars David Oyelowo, Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey, and more shedding tears inside the Dolby Theatre during Sunday’s 87th Academy Awards.
David Oyelowo and Chris Pine
Credit: Ethan Miller/WireImage.com; Jason Merritt/Getty Images
“Forty-seven years ago the Oscars telecast was postponed for the first time in history…out of respect for Dr. Martin Luther King who was gunned down four days before the ceremony,” Oscar winner Octavia Spencer addressed the crowd before introducing the two artists’ performance. “Tonight, 50 years after Dr. King's march through Selma, Alabama, two artists have joined forces to create a song that speaks to the struggles that continue to this day.“
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Legend and Common then took the stage and were joined by a powerful choir, sending the crowd into a rapturous standing ovation while Oprah Winfrey, who costarred in and co-created the film, was seen wiping tears from star Oyelowo’s face.
Idina Menzel and John Travolta then presented Common and Legend with the well-deserved Oscar for Best Original Song.
During his speech, Common exclaimed: “Recently John and I got to go to Selma and perform on the same bridge that Dr. king and the people of the civil rights movement marched on…this bridge is now a symbol for change. The spirit of this bridge transcends race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and social status…this bridge was built on hope, welded with compassion, and elevated by love for all human beings.”
Watch the moving moment again for yourself above.
