Jessie Ware’s Emotional Rendition of ‘The Way We Were’ Lights Up BAFTAs In Memoriam

Jessie Ware delivered a poignant performance of Barbra Streisand’s classic, ‘The Way We Were,’ during the In Memoriam segment of the 2026 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) held on February 22nd at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The performance served as a moving tribute to prominent figures in the film industry who passed away since the previous awards ceremony.

A Somber Moment of Remembrance

As is tradition, the BAFTA ceremony included a dedicated In Memoriam segment to honor those lost. A video montage featuring notable names was accompanied by Ware’s heartfelt rendition of the 1973 hit song, which was originally featured in the film of the same name starring Robert Redford. Redford was the final name honored in the montage, adding particular resonance to the song choice.

Industry Icons Remembered

The tribute highlighted a significant number of losses within the film industry, including Diane Keaton, Gene Hackman, Catherine O’Hara, Terence Stamp, Robert Duvall, Rob Reiner, Tom Stoppard, Brigitte Bardot, Lalo Schifrin, Michael Madsen, and Val Kilmer.

BAFTA Awards Highlights

The 2026 BAFTAs likewise celebrated cinematic achievements with several key wins. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another was the night’s biggest winner, taking home six awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Robert Aramayo surprised audiences by winning Best Actor for his role in I Swear, also securing the BAFTA Rising Star Award – a first for any actor in a single year. Jessie Buckley was awarded Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet, which also won Best British Film. Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress for Sinners, which also received awards for Best Screenplay and Best Score.

Additional Musical Performance

Alongside Ware’s performance, the K-Pop group Demon Hunters – consisting of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI – performed their song ‘Golden’ for the first time outside of the United States.