Full Breakdown
EJAE’s BAFTA Slip-Up: How Leonardo DiCaprio’s Gaze Turned a Star-Making Moment into a Nerve-Racking Performance
8/14/2026, 10:56:45 AM
The High-Note Distraction at the 2026 BAFTAs
On February 22, 2026, at the EE BAFTA Film Awards in London’s Royal Festival Hall, EJAE—Kim Eun-jae, the singing voice of Rumi in Netflix’s *K-Pop Demon Hunters*— performed the breakout single “Golden” with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. While delivering the climactic “born to be” note, EJAE locked eyes with Leonardo DiCaprio, who sat directly in front of her and remained expressionless. The moment has since haunted her, prompting the refrain, “The BAFTAs haunt me.”
Why the Performance Matters
“Golden” is the first K-pop-styled track to win both an Oscar (Best Original Song) and a Grammy (Best Song Written for Visual Media). The song spent eight weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and helped propel HUNTR/X onto the global awards circuit.
Background: From Netflix Phenomenon to Awards Season
Released in 2025, *K-Pop Demon Hunters* became Netflix’s most-watched movie, logging over 325 million official views. The film’s blend of K-pop music and supernatural action earned industry recognition despite being ineligible for Best Animated Film at the BAFTAs.
Data & Statistics
- Chart performance: No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks.
- Viewership: 325 million official streams on Netflix.
- Awards tally: Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice wins and multiple nominations.
Official Statements & Responses
EJAE described the BAFTA experience as “already nerve-racking” before DiCaprio’s stare intensified her anxiety. She said performing the following week at the Brit Awards felt easier because the audience was largely fans and children. No comment from DiCaprio or the BAFTA organization was recorded.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Because it was performing to fans, kids being like ‘Rumi, you got this!'” — Getty Images Ejae
- “I know [this kind of success] happens, I just didn’t think it would happen to me,” — Rolling Stone EJAE
On-the-Ground Perspective
EJAE recounted that the stare occurred just before the high note, causing a brief vocal crack she called a “mistake.” She also noted an uplifting after-party encounter where Beyoncé praised her voice and Jay-Z introduced himself as “Shawn,” offering a morale boost.
Why It Matters
EJAE’s anecdote illustrates the psychological pressure artists face on high-profile stages, especially when sharing space with Hollywood icons. It also highlights the cultural shift as K-pop-inspired music gains acceptance within traditionally Western-dominated award institutions.
