Oscars 2022: Beyoncé opens broadcast with performance of 'King Richard' song

Beyoncé Knowles opened the 94th Oscars ceremony with a unique performance of the song Be Alive from King Richard, introduced by Venus and Serena Williams.

The tennis-playing sisters appeared on stage at the Dolby Theater to begin the broadcast, before throwing over to a performance filmed at the sisters' childhood tennis courts in Compton, LA.

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Beyoncé sang the inspiring track while wearing a green outfit, surrounded by dancers and musicians in matching outfits.

Be Alive is one of the five nominees for Best Original Song, competing alongside tracks including Dos Oruguitas from Encanto and the Billie Eilish theme song for No Time to Die.

Social media users celebrated the decision by ABC and the Academy to begin the show with a huge Beyoncé performance.

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Film critic Robert Daniels wrote: "Really wish this Beyoncé performance was live. Already playing well, but would've been even bigger inside the building with a crowd."

TV and movie producer Franklin Leonard added that allowing Beyoncé to pay tribute to the Williams sisters in Compton is "never a bad plan".

King Richard is nominated for a total of six awards at the Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Original Song.

One of its main nominations is Best Actor, where Will Smith is the frontrunner to pick up his first ever Oscar, after scooping numerous precursor prizes.

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Smith was previously nominated for the same award for his lead performances in Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, but did not emerge victorious on either of those occasions.

The Oscars are currently airing live from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

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