Brad Pitt led a somewhat, shall we say unique, sing-along at the Palm Springs Film Festival Saturday as he taught the assembled audience how to say David Oyelowo’s name.
Pitt was onstage at the ceremony to present Oyelowo with the Breakthrough Performance Award for his portrayal of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr in forthcoming film Selma. Pitt is a producer on the film.
“With any great performance comes controversy and questions,” he said at the black tie gala. “I know that there is one lingering question in the back of your minds. It’s a fundamental question, I think it’s only fair that we air it out tonight, and that question is: how the hell do you pronounce his name?”
Pitt then went on to break down Oyelowo’s surname into syllables, getting the crowd to repeat each one, before breaking into song. Finally, he introduced the actor, who’s also featured in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Lincoln and The Butler.
“Ladies and gentlemen it’s my profound pleasure to introduce to you your breakthrough performer of the year, a man whose name will one day be synonymous with Poitier and Olivier, my friend the bold, the beautiful, Mr David Oyelowo.”
When Oyelowo finally took the stage, he said: “You know you’ve broken through when Brad Pitt sings your name.”