Oscar week has a way of creeping up on Hollywood like the final act of a well-paced drama. One moment, the nominations are still echoing through industry trades, and the next, the Academy Awards machine is in full swing, announcing presenters, backstage collaborators, and the long list of artists who will shape the evening. Every day brings another name, another reveal. 

Now the spotlight has moved to the red carpet, the grand entrance where the ceremony truly begins.

And like any well-produced prelude to Hollywood’s biggest night, the hosts guiding viewers through that glittering entrance have now been revealed to be Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer. 

Ahead of the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer are set to host The Oscars Red Carpet Show. The official pre-ceremony broadcast will air at 6:30 p.m. ET on ABC and stream simultaneously on Hulu, welcoming viewers as stars arrive for Hollywood’s biggest night. For Hall, the hosting gig marks her second turn guiding the red carpet after making her debut in 2020.

Known for her award-winning daytime program, Tamron Hall, the former broadcast journalist has long been a familiar face in television news. Palmer, meanwhile, returns for his second consecutive year hosting the pre-show. A former NFL quarterback turned broadcaster and reality TV staple, most recognizably associated with The Bachelor. 

While the carpet coverage builds anticipation outside the venue, the Academy has also been revealing who will appear on stage during the ceremony itself. Last year’s acting winners, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, Mikey Madison, and Zoe Saldaña, are set to return to present trophies this year. They will be joined by a mix of past winners and fan-favorite stars, including Javier Bardem, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, Emmy-winner Maya Rudolph, Chris Evans, and the rising talent Chase Infiniti.

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But beyond presenters and hosts, the Oscars are also preparing the kind of musical spectacle that turns the ceremony into a cultural event rather than just an awards show.

Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan also unveiled a performance lineup inspired by two cinematic phenomena: Sinners and the animated global hit KPop Demon Hunters. According to the producers, the musical segments are designed as cinematic tributes that highlight how music amplifies storytelling on screen. The KPop Demon Hunters performance will open with traditional Korean instrumentalists and dance before transitioning into a live rendition of the Oscar-nominated song ‘Golden,’ performed by singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the voices behind the fictional group HUNTR/X.

Meanwhile, the Sinners tribute promises a sweeping stage moment with performers including Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq performing the nominated song ‘I Lied to You.’ They will be joined by artists and performers such as Misty Copeland, Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, and Shaboozey and others in a segment celebrating the film’s distinctive musical identity. Additional appearances will include Josh Groban alongside the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

With the carpet hosts ready, presenters lining up, and musical tributes taking shape, the ceremony is quickly assembling its final pieces. 

Oscars 2026 Announces 'Sinners'-Inspired Performance Lineup for Hollywood’s Biggest Night

What are you most excited to see at the 2026 Oscars? Share your thoughts in the comments.