Oscars Choreographer Mandy Moore Unveils the Creative Vision Behind 2026's Star-Studded Show
Meet Mandy Moore, the mastermind choreographer behind the dazzling performances at the 2026 Academy Awards. Known for her work on Taylor Swift's monumental "Eras Tour" and iconic Oscars moments like Ryan Gosling's "I'm Just Ken" in 2024, Moore aimed to deliver another spectacular show this year. In an interview with The Associated Press ahead of the ceremony, she emphasized her goal: "to come out big again," focusing on celebrating not just the songs but the films themselves.
Celebrating Film Through Dance: The Core Philosophy
Moore's approach centered on storytelling, ensuring each performance transcended mere dance steps to embody the essence of the movies. Throughout the ceremony, this philosophy shone, particularly in two tentpole acts: the performance of "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, and "I Lied to You" from "Sinners" by Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq.
Behind the Scenes of 'KPop Demon Hunters' Performance
As creative director for "Golden," Moore faced the challenge of adapting an animated film to live television. "It's a huge song," she noted, describing the performance as a two-part journey. The first segment celebrated traditional Korean culture with drumming, singing, and folk dance, while the second transitioned into a modern pop spectacle. To ensure authenticity, Moore insisted on hiring a Korean consultant, landing DaEun Jung, an associate professor from the University of California at Riverside, who also danced in the performance.
Moore explained that because "KPop Demon Hunters" is animated, there were "no rules" in the creative process, as long as it aligned with the filmmakers' vision. They avoided a literal live-action recreation, instead focusing on "creating visuals" that honored the film's spirit. The performance featured golden flags, which Moore said moved in sync with the song's energy, and audience members waved golden light sticks, a nod to K-pop concert culture.
The 'Sinners' Performance: A Collaborative Effort
For "Sinners," Moore took a supportive role, working directly with the film's head choreographer, Aakomon "AJ" Jones. The performance was a near-recreation of the movie's iconic dance sequence for "I Lied to You," featuring a star-studded lineup including Misty Copeland, Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Bobby Rush, Shaboozey, and Alice Smith. Moore described it as "what you would want from a 'Sinners' performance on the Oscars," emphasizing storytelling through dance.
The Unifying Thread: Storytelling First
Moore highlighted that both performances shared a common throughline: starting with storytelling. "It's story involved with dance. It's not simply dance steps," she said, underscoring her commitment to making the Oscars an event of epic scale and emotional depth. Her work continues to redefine award show choreography, blending cultural authenticity with cinematic flair.
