‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami Get BAFTAs Crowd Singing With ‘Golden’ Performance
EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the singers behind Huntr/x from “KPop Demon Hunters,” got the BAFTA Film Awards crowd grooving with a performance of their megahit “Golden.” It was the first performance of the hit track outside the U.S., proving the film’s global domination — despite being ineligible for a BAFTA Award.
Chase Infiniti, who has made it clear she’s a big fan of Huntr/x, was seen singing along from the crowd as EJAE, Nuna and Ami — dressed for the occasion in shades of red, brown and gold — performed the track alongside a slew of dancers. The performance started out with EJAE crooning solo on stage before Nuna and Ami appeared from different locations around the venue, working the audience as they made their way to the BAFTA stage.
Though the trio were invited to perform, BAFTA ruled that “KPop Demon Hunters” did not meet the eligibility criteria for the Film Awards — despite a formal appeal by Netflix — specifically because it did not have a qualifying theatrical release. Netflix tried to argue that the film’s later theatrical run, two months after it debuted on the streamer, should count under BAFTAs “exceptional circumstances” clause, which will sometimes make allowances for distribution models such as event cinema releases. However, BAFTA rejected this argument.
Still, the organizers were clearly happy to sprinkle a little Huntr/x stardust into the ceremony — much to the attendees’ delight.
Despite not being eligible for a BAFTA, the film is on track to storm the Academy Awards where it is nominated for original song and animated feature film. On Saturday it dominated the Annie Awards, taking home 10 gongs including for best feature.
Chase Infiniti, who has made it clear she’s a big fan of Huntr/x, was seen singing along from the crowd as EJAE, Nuna and Ami — dressed for the occasion in shades of red, brown and gold — performed the track alongside a slew of dancers. The performance started out with EJAE crooning solo on stage before Nuna and Ami appeared from different locations around the venue, working the audience as they made their way to the BAFTA stage.
Though the trio were invited to perform, BAFTA ruled that “KPop Demon Hunters” did not meet the eligibility criteria for the Film Awards — despite a formal appeal by Netflix — specifically because it did not have a qualifying theatrical release. Netflix tried to argue that the film’s later theatrical run, two months after it debuted on the streamer, should count under BAFTAs “exceptional circumstances” clause, which will sometimes make allowances for distribution models such as event cinema releases. However, BAFTA rejected this argument.
Still, the organizers were clearly happy to sprinkle a little Huntr/x stardust into the ceremony — much to the attendees’ delight.
Despite not being eligible for a BAFTA, the film is on track to storm the Academy Awards where it is nominated for original song and animated feature film. On Saturday it dominated the Annie Awards, taking home 10 gongs including for best feature.