Mick Jagger’s Surprise Appearance at the 2025 Oscars
The 2025 Academy Awards had its fair share of glitz, glamour, and jaw-dropping moments, but nothing compared to the unexpected arrival of a true music legend. Mick Jagger, the iconic frontman of The Rolling Stones, strutted onstage in a surprise appearance that had the entire audience on their feet.
The 81-year-old wasn’t originally on the evening’s program, making his entrance even more electrifying. As the unmistakable chords of “Sympathy for the Devil” played, the rock legend sauntered onto the stage, basking in the adoration of the star-studded crowd. Even Elton John couldn’t contain his excitement, shooting his husband David Furnish a wide-eyed expression as the room erupted in cheers.
“You’re so kind, thank you so much,” Jagger said, hand over heart, clearly soaking in the moment. “Thank you so much, everyone. Very kind of you, my goodness.”
But Jagger wasn’t just there to steal the spotlight—he had a job to do. The “Start Me Up” singer was given the honor of presenting the award for Best Original Song, and he couldn’t resist having a little fun while doing it.
“I’m very honored to be invited to give this award for the Best Original Song tonight,” he began. “As much as I love doing it, I wasn’t the first choice to give this award out. The producers really wanted Bob Dylan to do this.”
Dylan, whose biopic, A Complete Unknown starring Timothée Chalamet, was up for eight Oscars, had already been the subject of a few good-natured jokes throughout the night. And Jagger was more than happy to keep them coming.
“Bob didn’t want to do it,” Jagger quipped. “Because he said the best songs this year were obviously in the movie, A Complete Unknown. Bob said, ‘You should find somebody younger.’ I said, ‘OK, I’m younger! I’m younger than Bob, I’ll do it.’ So here I am.”
For the record, Jagger is two years younger than Dylan—so technically, he wasn’t wrong.
Jagger proceeded to announce the winner: “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez, written by Clement Ducol, Camille, and director Jacques Audiard. The song triumphed over its fellow nominee from Emilia Pérez, “Mi Camino,” as well as “The Journey from The Six Triple Eight,” “Like a Bird from Sing Sing,” and “Never Too Late” from Elton John.
After lighting up the Oscars stage, Jagger kept the celebrations going, making his way to the ultra-exclusive Vanity Fair Oscar Party with his longtime partner, Melanie Hamrick. The couple, who share 8-year-old son Deveraux Octavian Basil Jagger, turned heads on the red carpet, with Jagger looking as effortlessly cool as ever.
With The Rolling Stones still rocking on world tours well into their eighth decade, Jagger proves once again that age is just a number. And if his surprise Oscars appearance is anything to go by, he’s still got moves like, well… himself.
