Watch Lady Gaga’s raw Oscars 2023 performance of ‘Hold My Hand’

Many things were featured at the 2023 Oscars. We had a lengthy list of winners to debate, and beautiful gowns. AnotherLive performance by Rihanna, as well as some close-ups from Lady Gaga.

Gaga was there to perform the original song, which she also wrote. Maverick: Top Gun, “Hold My Hand.” While the music video is all heartfelt bravado — Gaga wearing a fighter jacket in front of a wind machine mixed in with footage from both Top Gun movies — the Oscars performance was different. On-stage, Gaga went for more of an MTV’s Oscars Unplugged look, wearing just ripped black jeans and a gray t-shirt.

It also involved the camera pushing in very close on her — real close. It almost was (not quite, however, it never got that close), Nearly), maybe, Too close? It all appeared to be part and parcel of Gaga’s raw, unfiltered performance. The song was introduced by Gaga, who said:

For the movie, I co-wrote this song with BloodPop Maverick: Top Gun in a studio basement. It’s deeply personal for me, and I think that we all need each other. It takes a lot to live this life. And we all need a hero sometimes — there’s heroes all around us in unassuming places. You might be able to become your own hero, even though you may feel broken.

Unfortunately Gaga didn’t win the Oscar. But “Naatu Naatu” from RRRIt was a great win and a huge victory for all those who watched the Oscars. I mean, c’mon, look at this.