Rumors spread that Bob Dylan was meant to present at the Oscars on Sunday evening. Now, a producer has spoken up to dispel rumors of the 83-year-old singer making an appearance at the awards ceremony.
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Dylan has been in the spotlight in 2024 ever since the release of A Complete Unknown, the biographical musical movie about his life. Although Timothee Chalamet, who portrayed Dylan in the film, showed up due to his nomination, the singer was absent.
Was Bob Dylan Supposed To Appear At The Oscars?
Rob Mills, executive VP of unscripted and alternative entertainment with Walt Disney TV, revealed the truth in a Variety interview. Mills explained that Dylan was actually never invited to perform or present at the awards show.
This went against the rumor of his appearance that stemmed from a joke that Mick Jagger had made. The Rolling Stones frontman claimed that Dylan denied the offer to present. "The producers wanted Bob Dylan to do it, but Bob didn't want to," said Jagger.
"'The best songs this year are obviously in A Complete Unknown. You should find somebody younger.' OK, I'm younger than Bob! So here I am." This comment onstage came after Jagger presented the Oscar for Best Original Song.
In the Variety post-awards show interview, Mills clarified that it "was Mick Jagger's joke. I think everybody knows, if you've ever been to a Rolling Stones show or seen on TV, Mick Jagger has an incredible sense of humor."
Mills also noted that "Mick was always the first choice." When they first asked Jagger, they didn't believe he would do it. "And he did!" Mills continued. "This was his first time at the Oscars, if you can believe it."
To add to the rumor of Dylan's appearance that night, the show's host Conan O'Brien commented on it. "Dylan wanted to be here tonight, but not that badly," the comedian joked.
A Compelte Unknown received a myriad of praise this awards season. It earned eight nominations at the Oscars, three at the Golden Globes, six at the British Academy Film Awards, and more. Chalamet, the star of the film, won Best Actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
