Awestruck.
Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, a senior theater major at Florida A&M University, found herself in awe of the magnitude
of what was unfolding in her life.
The first female head drum major of the legendary Marching 100 has spent the year
commanding attention on fields, stages and screens across the country. Still, even
for someone accustomed to leading one of the most iconic marching bands in the world,
nothing could have prepared her for the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday.
Yet that is exactly where Oloyede found herself.
“When I received the call, I could not believe it. Performing at the Oscars is a once
in a lifetime opportunity and it was offered to me. God is so amazing. This is affirmation
that I’m supposed to be here and this is what I want to do,” she said.
Her journey to Hollywood followed a season of undeniable “motion” as some students
would describe it. The Marching 100 was featured in a Lionsgate promotion for the
upcoming film “Michael.” The band also appeared in an NBA on Prime segment performing
the show’s theme song, “Victory,” written in part by FAMU alum and Grammy Award winner
Common. Oloyede lent her voice to the opening narration.
At the same time, her performances were gaining traction online. Her commanding field
presence, theatrical precision and magnetic energy transformed halftime moments into
viral highlights.
“When it’s happening, I’m not trying to go viral. I’m just in the moment, focused
on being the best at everything I do. From that, people connect with it, and before
you know it, the videos are everywhere,” she said.
Oluwamodupe Oloyede flashes the “dynasty” sign in front of Dolby Theater making sure
to represent her sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. (Photo special to FAMU)
Like when she pledged the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A
video from their new initiate presentation, where she proudly represented the Marching
100, blowing her whistle and swinging her baton, quickly amassed millions of views
and hundreds of thousands of likes.
That milestone would open another door.
A creative director took notice, and soon after, Oloyede received an invitation to
join the cast of the “Sinners” musical performance at the Oscars.
“It took a lot for me to get here and it was not the easiest process. I only had a
few hours to be on a plane, but I was not going to let time or space stop me,” she
said. “I’ve waited my whole life for a moment like this.”
And what a moment it was.
Backstage in the hair and makeup room, surrounded by performers dressed in costumes
inspired by African artistry and historic dance traditions, Oloyede paused to take
it all in. Sitting quietly as her makeup was finalized, she centered herself before
appearing on one of the most revered stages in entertainment.
“I am very grateful that he listened to my last-minute changes to the look,” said
Oloyede, referring to her makeup artist. “I feel like myself. I feel like I am about
to go on and dominate the show.”
Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede spoke with her makeup artist, Rory, to make sure she had
a look that she loved. (Photo special to FAMU)
The performance reimagined the film’s juke joint scene, blending multiple musical
genres into a sweeping cultural showcase. It moved through generations of Black music
and dance, calling on the ancestors and creating a powerful visual and sonic montage.
Artists like Nigerian-American Shaboozey and multi-hyphenate songwriter Raphael Saadiq
shared the stage with actor Miles Canton, blues legends Bobby Rush and Christone “Kingfish”
Ingram, and famed ballerina Misty Copeland.
For Oloyede, the experience felt otherworldly.
“I saw all these beautiful Black people masterfully performing. I was in a room full
of people who are at the Oscars, like they’re in movies and films. I winked at Damson
Idris,” she said, then giggled. “That is crazy. I was in front of Michael B. Jordan.
I was on a stage with Miles (Canton). I basically saw the whole cast of Sinners.”
As the moment settled, excitement shifted to thanksgiving.
“I still can’t believe it’s over. It’s finally happened, and I’m just trying to stay
in a posture of gratitude that I was even here. My first time in Los Angeles was to
perform at the Oscars,” she said.
“God has been more than gracious, more than kind, and the people who helped me get
here have been incredible. It’s just amazing. I’m standing in this surreal space of
thinking, ‘Wow, I have to go back to school next week.’”
Even after the curtain closed, she was still on a high.
“I don’t want the night to be over,” she said. “I want to go outside and see more
people and leave with no regrets.”
The “Sinners” cast exploded with joy after their performance then regrouped for cast
photos for souvenirs of a memorable moment. (Photo special to FAMU)
Her Oscars appearance is just one chapter in a remarkable stretch of accomplishments.
Oloyede is also featured in the College Football Hall of Fame in her hometown of Atlanta,
which she plans to visit with her family during spring break. She recently received
a Trailblazer Award from the Oasis Center for Women and Girls, a nonprofit organization
supporting women through housing and life challenges. The recognition included something
she once imagined in passing — a billboard.
“I saw a billboard with Hugh Jackman on it and said, ‘I want to be on billboards,’”
she recalled.
Soon after, she learned she would be.
That news followed disappointment after discovering she would not advance in an audition
for the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. Within hours, however, the Trailblazer
honor arrived, a reminder that one closed door can quickly give way to another opportunity.
“Look at God,” she said. “What God cannot do does not exist.”
Standing at the Oscars step-and-repeat, Olowamodupe Oloyede takes in the surreal moment.
(Photo special to FAMU)
Through it all, Oloyede credits the support of the FAMU community.
“I’m very grateful to the university,” she said. “They showered me with so much support.”
She also offered special thanks to President Marva Johnson, J.D.; Special Assistant
to the President Angela Suggs; Marching 100 Director Shelby Chipman; the Office of
Communications; and Los Angeles-based alumni Jocelyn Coleman and Greg Anderson, along
with a host of administrators, friends and family who helped her have a successful
and “mind-blowing” weekend.
That support, she says, has shaped more than her education.
“I really think God brought me to FAMU to answer more than just the prayer of education
and band,” she reflected. “And I learned from this experience that I’m not alone”
As she prepares to graduate in May, Oloyede carries with her a moment few performers
ever experience: stepping onto one of the world’s most celebrated stages.
“The past four weeks have been astounding. I don’t know what’s next. So, I pray that
the Lord orders my steps, connects me with the people I need to be with, gives us
wisdom, discernment, and all the things, and that we get to a party tonight,” she
said, then laughs.
If her senior year is any indication, Oloyede’s next chapter will be just as extraordinary.
Making sure she caught some of California’s notable sights, Olowumodupe Oloyede hit
Rodeo Drive. (Photo special to FAMU)
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu