Vice President Joe Biden brought the crowd inside the Dolby Theatre to its feet at Sunday’s 88th Academy Awards when he introduced a musical performance by Lady Gaga.
“I’m the least qualified person in the room!” Biden exclaimed as stars like Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Kevin Hart, Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington stood to applaud.
Biden was on hand to introduce Gaga’s rendition of the nominated song “Til It Happens To You,” from “The Hunting Ground,” which the singer co-wrote with Diane Warren.
“Despite significant progress over the last few years, too many woman and men on and off college campuses are still victims of sexual abuse,” Biden said.
“Tonight, I’m asking you to join millions of Americans, including me, President Obama, the thousands of students I’ve met on college campuses and the artists here tonight to take the pledge,” Biden said, referring to a signature pledge on ItsOnUs.org.
“The pledge says I will intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given,” Biden added. “Let’s change the culture, we must and we can change the culture.”
Going into the evening, the powerful track was the odds-on favorite to win the Best Original Song Oscar, but it wound up losing to Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes’ James Bond theme “Writing’s on the Wall” from “Spectre.”