The 98th Academy Awards delivered many unforgettable moments, but there's one performance that quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the night.

During a live rendition of “I Lied to You” from the film Sinners, celebrated ballerina Misty Copeland took centre stage with a powerful ballet solo that captivated the audience at the Dolby Theatre. It is claimed by netizens that she came out of her retirement to perform on this global platform.

The visually striking performance drew widespread applause and a standing ovation from the crowd, including actor Timothée Chalamet. The moment quickly went viral online, particularly because it followed Chalamet’s earlier controversial comments about ballet and opera.

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Copeland’s performance was part of a musical segment featuring artists including Shaboozey, Raphael Saadiq and Brittany Howard. The staging recreated the atmosphere of a 1930s Mississippi juke joint, reflecting the film’s musical heritage theme.

Who is Misty Copeland?

Misty Copeland is widely recognised as one of the most influential figures in modern ballet. In 2015, she made history by becoming the first Black woman promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in its 75-year history.

Her journey into ballet was unusual. Copeland began training at the age of 13, which is considered late for professional dancers. Despite that, she joined the American Ballet Theatre in 2001 and built a groundbreaking career before retiring from the stage on October 22, 2025.

Beyond her performances, Copeland has been a strong advocate for diversity in classical dance and works to expand access to ballet education for children from underrepresented communities.

She is also a best-selling author, known for books such as 'Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina' and the children’s title 'Firebird'.

Standing ovation after ballet controversy

Copeland’s Oscar appearance carried added significance due to recent controversy surrounding Timothée Chalamet’s remarks about ballet and opera. During a town hall discussion with Matthew McConaughey hosted by CNN and Variety, Chalamet had said that “no one cares” about ballet and opera anymore.

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The comments sparked backlash within the arts community, with many artists defending the cultural importance of classical performing arts. Interestingly, Copeland had previously addressed the remarks, emphasising the continuing relevance of ballet and opera. At the Oscars, however, the moment turned symbolic as Chalamet stood up and applauded her performance.