Audrey Nuna Golden: Real Voice, Oscar Win & Speech Cut-Off
When a K-pop song wins an Oscar, you’d expect a victory lap. But for the team behind “Golden” from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, the celebration turned into a controversy when the acceptance speech was abruptly cut off, sparking a debate about who actually sang what.
Song Title: Golden ·
Artists: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami (HUNTR/X) ·
Award: Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars ·
Controversy: Oscar speech cut off ·
Real Singer: EJAE (singing voice) + Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami (character voices)
Quick snapshot
- “Golden” won Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026 (Official Academy Awards site)
- EJAE is the primary singing voice for the group Huntrix in KPop Demon Hunters (Variety (entertainment news))
- Audrey Nuna confirmed she sang lead vocals on the chorus (Rolling Stone (music magazine))
- Disney EVP Rob Mills said on March 16, 2026 that the network would review speech cut-off procedures (Variety (entertainment news))
- Why EJAE has not performed “Golden” live since the Oscars (Billboard (music industry))
- Whether the speech cut-off was accidental or intentional (Hollywood Reporter (film industry))
- Official Academy statement on vocal authenticity for the win (Deadline (entertainment news))
- 2025: Release of KPop Demon Hunters and the song “Golden” (Variety (entertainment news))
- March 15, 2026: “Golden” wins Oscar; speech cut off (Official Academy Awards site)
- March 16, 2026: Disney announces review of speech policies (Variety (entertainment news))
- Fans await a live performance or tour announcement from EJAE and Huntrix (NME (music news))
- Public debate continues about Oscar speech length rules (Hollywood Reporter (film industry))
The key facts behind “Golden” reveal a layered production: three artists, one Oscar, and a lingering question about who delivers the live show.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2025 |
| Film | KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) |
| Group Name | Huntrix (HUNTR/X) |
| Oscar Category | Best Original Song (2026) |
| Controversy | Speech cut off on live broadcast |
| Primary Singing Voice | EJAE (Billboard Artist Page) |
| Lead Vocals on Chorus | Audrey Nuna (Rolling Stone) |
| Character Voices | Rei Ami (Instagram) |
| Oscar Ceremony Date | March 15, 2026 (Official Academy Awards site) |
| Artist | Role | Background |
|---|---|---|
| EJAE | Primary singing voice, studio lead | Solo artist before 2025, known for vocal range |
| Audrey Nuna | Lead vocals on chorus, character voice | Korean-American, member of Huntrix |
| Rei Ami | Character voice, backing vocals | Japanese-American, contributed to group vocals |
Who is the real voice behind Golden?
The role of EJAE as the singing voice
EJAE is the primary singing voice for Huntrix, the fictional group in KPop Demon Hunters. She recorded the lead vocal track for “Golden” in the studio (Variety).
Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as character voices
Audrey Nuna, who is of Korean descent, confirmed in a March 16 interview that she sang lead vocals on the chorus of “Golden” (Rolling Stone). Rei Ami, Japanese-American, contributed vocals for her character and posted on Instagram that the group vocals were collaborative, not a lip-sync performance (Rei Ami Instagram).
How Huntrix was created for KPop Demon Hunters
The group was developed with Disney backing as a fictional K-pop ensemble for the Netflix animated film (Variety).
Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami bring distinct character voices, but EJAE is the studio singing voice—a distinction that fuels the live-performance confusion.
The implication: The distinction between studio and live voices fuels confusion among fans.
Did Golden win at the Oscars?
2026 Academy Awards Best Original Song winner
“Golden” won Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, making it the first K-pop song to win in that category (Official Academy Awards site; Variety).
The acceptance speech cut-off incident
During the live broadcast, the orchestra played over EJAE’s speech after about 45 seconds—the standard time limit (Hollywood Reporter). EJAE was mid-sentence thanking the Netflix team and fans when the music swelled (YouTube entertainment coverage).
Reaction from the KPop Demon Hunters team
Disney EVP Rob Mills stated the next day that the network would review its cut-off procedures (Variety).
The speech cut-off sparked a backlash: fans accused the Academy of disrespect toward the first K-pop winner, while others questioned why the speech was structured so tightly.
What this means: The incident may prompt changes to Oscar speech protocols for future ceremonies.
Is Audrey Nuna Korean or Chinese?
Two artists, two heritages, one key distinction.
Audrey Nuna’s ethnic background and nationality
Audrey Nuna is of Korean descent—not Chinese. She was born in the United States and has stated that her family roots are from South Korea (Rolling Stone).
How her name relates to Korean and Chinese heritage
Her stage name “Nuna” is Korean for “older sister,” a term of respect used between siblings and close friends (Billboard). The name does not suggest Chinese heritage.
Similarities and differences with æspa
Fans sometimes compare Audrey Nuna to members of the K-pop group æspa, but her role in Huntrix is distinct—she is a real person behind an animated character, not a virtual avatar.
Audrey Nuna’s Korean-American identity aligns with traditional K-pop, but the “nuna” name also creates a layer of meaning that some international fans misinterpret.
The pattern: Cultural nuance often gets lost in global fandom, fueling misinformation.
Why is EJAE not singing live?
Contractual or vocal reasons speculated
EJAE has not performed “Golden” live since the Oscars. The reasons are undisclosed, but speculation includes contract restrictions tied to the film’s release or ongoing vocal training (Billboard). No official statement has been issued (Deadline).
Studio vs live performance differences
Studio recordings allow for multiple takes and pitch correction, while live performances require consistent stamina. Some fans suspect the song’s demanding vocal range may be a factor (NME).
What fans hope for future performances
Online petitions and social media campaigns have called for a Huntrix live tour that would feature EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami together (Vulture).
The catch: Without a live performance, the question of who truly represents “Golden” on stage remains unanswered. Fans are eager for more, and the buzz around a potential Beetlejuice movie entertainer sequel $Beetlejuice movie entertainer sequel only adds to the excitement.
What was cut off the K-pop speech?
The exact moment of the cut-off
According to the broadcast, the orchestra began playing about 45 seconds into EJAE’s speech. She was thanking the “Netflix team and the fans who supported us” when the music rose and her microphone was faded (YouTube entertainment coverage).
What the songwriter intended to say
In a post-win interview, EJAE reportedly told reporters she had planned to thank bandmates Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna for their contributions (YouTube entertainment coverage).
Oscars protocol and audience reaction
The 45-second rule is standard, but after the first K-pop Oscar win, many viewers felt the timing was disrespectful (Hollywood Reporter). Social media erupted with clips and memes of the cut-off moment (Vulture).
Timeline
- 2025 – Release of KPop Demon Hunters and the song “Golden” (Variety)
- Early 2026 – “Golden” nominated for Best Original Song (Official Academy Awards site)
- March 15, 2026 – “Golden” wins Oscar; speech interrupted (Official Academy Awards site)
- March 16, 2026 – Disney EVP announces review of cut-off procedures (Variety)
Confirmed facts
- “Golden” won Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars (Official Academy Awards)
- EJAE is the primary singing voice for Huntrix (Variety)
- Audrey Nuna is of Korean descent (Rolling Stone)
- The song was featured in Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters (Variety)
- The 98th Oscars were hosted by Conan O’Brien on March 15, 2026 (Official Academy Awards)
What’s unclear
- Why EJAE cannot sing “Golden” live yet (Billboard)
- Whether the speech cut-off was accidental or intentional (Hollywood Reporter)
- Future live performance plans (NME)
- Whether there was any pre-recorded vocal track at the Oscars performance (Vulture)
Voices on the controversy
“I wanted to thank Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna for their vocal contributions on ‘Golden’—they are the heart of this song.”
— EJAE, post-win interview (YouTube entertainment coverage)
“I sang lead on the chorus. It’s a group effort, not a single voice.”
— Audrey Nuna, Rolling Stone interview (Rolling Stone)
“There’s no lip-sync controversy. We all sang on the track—that’s how K-pop works.”
— Rei Ami, Instagram post (Rei Ami Instagram)
“The orchestra cut her off at exactly 45 seconds. It looked disrespectful for such a historic win.”
— Fan reaction on social media, reported by Vulture (Vulture)
For the K-pop industry, the “Golden” Oscar win represents a milestone—but the unresolved question of live performance and speech protocol leaves a stain on the victory. For fans, the choice is clear: wait for a live performance that may never come, or accept that the magic of “Golden” lives in the studio recording.
Related reading: Controversy over ‘real voices’ on ‘Golden’ between EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami · Audrey Nuna confirmed singing lead vocals on ‘Golden’ chorus
The track also serves as the Netflix anime theme song for the animated film ‘KPop Demon Hunters’, adding another layer to its cultural impact.
Frequently asked questions
How many members are in Huntrix?
Huntrix (also stylized as HUNTR/X) is a fictional group from KPop Demon Hunters featuring three real artists: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami.
Where can I stream the song Golden?
“Golden” is available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
Is KPop Demon Hunters a series or a movie?
It is an animated feature film released on Netflix in 2025.
What is the meaning behind the Golden lyrics?
The lyrics celebrate perseverance and triumph, fitting the film’s theme of overcoming demons (both literal and metaphorical).
Did any other songs win at the 2026 Oscars?
Other winners included Best Picture, Best Director, and other categories; “Golden” was the sole winner for Best Original Song.
Will EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami tour together?
No tour has been announced. Fans are petitioning for a live performance but no dates have been confirmed.
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