Oscars 2025: Mick Jagger pokes fun at Bob Dylan’s stubborn absence
Iconic Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger made a comical jibe at Bob Dylan’s expense when he presented ‘Best Original Song’ at the Oscars 2025.
When it came time for the ‘Best Original Song’ presentation, the building got a notable injection of electricity when Jagger strutted on stage. He smiled at everyone in attendance, looking much younger and more spry than his 81 years.
“As much as I love doing it, I wasn’t the first choice to give this award out,” Jagger joked. “The producers really wanted Bob Dylan to do this”.
Jagger added: “Bob didn’t want to do it because he’s had the best songs this year, well obviously, in the movie A Complete Unknown. Bob said, ‘You should find somebody younger.’ I said, ‘OK, I’m younger!’ … So here I am.”
It was a funny jibe for Jagger to make, as earlier in the evening, host Conan O’Brien had used his opening monologue to poke fun at how Dylan didn’t show for the Academy Awards, despite his biopic starring Timothee Chalamet being nominated for many of the big awards.
Jagger and Dylan have always had a mutual appreciation society. Jagger once told The Guardian, “I was playing Bob Dylan records at my parents’ house when he was still an acoustic folk singer, but he was already very important, and his lyrics were on point. The delivery isn’t just the words, it’s the accentuation and the moods and twists he puts on them.”
Returning the favour, Dylan once said, “The Rolling Stones are truly the greatest rock and roll band in the world and always will be.”
Ultimately, Jagger announced that the winner of the category was ‘El Mal’ from Emilia Perez.
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