Stars react to unrecognisable Eminem during Oscars performance

The Oscars audience looked baffled when Eminem took to the stage and the reactions were so good they deserved their own award.

The biggest Oscars twist has come early – and not from a surprise win.

A look of confusion tinged with concern washed over the audience as Eminem popped up on stage for a performance of Lose Yourself, 17 years after it won best original song.

Unlikely choice of entertainment aside, the star was barely recognisable from the bleach blonde rapper who rose to fame in the late 90s.

RELATED: All the best speeches, hilarious moments and big winners at the Oscars

Eminem is that you? Picture: Getty Images.

If he didn’t sound exactly the same, we’d say this was an impostor. Picture: Getty Images.

Taking the stage following a montage of iconic movie music, Marshall Bruce Mathers, known as Eminem, performed the catchy track with aplomb, but it was the audience who looked as though they’d lost themselves briefly.

And the award for the greatest reaction goes to Idina Menzel and Billie Eilish:

Idina’s face is all of us. Picture: Channel 7.

Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas looked very unsure about the situation. Picture: Channel 7.

Over on Twitter, the confused sentiment was echoed:

"Because he won an Oscar" is not a good enough reason for Eminem to be at the Oscars, years later.

— Zan Rowe (@zanrowe) February 10, 2020

the reactions to that Eminem performance were so good #Oscars pic.twitter.com/981WiI8mix

— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 10, 2020

The entire #Oscars crowd when they brought out Eminem to perform “Lose Yourself” for unknown reasons. pic.twitter.com/G927lgeSxU

— zach 🧢 (@zach_evan_) February 10, 2020

Literally everyone right now to the #Eminem performance of #LoseYourself at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/Akzkmr41b3

— Alison Kurtzman (@askurtzman) February 10, 2020

The whole audience trying to jam to Eminem but also confused as to why he is performing #Oscars pic.twitter.com/Hkq8OrEYKF

— Erin Quinn (@erinquinn_95) February 10, 2020

Seeing Eminem perform Lose Yourself at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/aUKlvwhH2Z

— Chris Ortiz (@RealChrisOrtiz) February 10, 2020

just when you though these #Oscars couldn't get any whiter

— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) February 10, 2020

Despite surprising everyone with his unexpected presence at the ceremony, he received a standing ovation for his efforts.

Afterwards, Mathers took to Twitter to thank the Academy for letting him do his thing since he didn’t attend the 2003 ceremony at which he won.

“Look, if you had another shot, another opportunity … Thanks for having me @TheAcademy,” he tweeted. “Sorry it took me 18 years to get here.”

Look, if you had another shot, another opportunity... Thanks for having me @TheAcademy. Sorry it took me 18 years to get here. pic.twitter.com/CmSw2hmcZo

— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) February 10, 2020

Eminem’s Lose Yourself was the first ever hip-hop track to win an Oscar for Best Original Song.

He reportedly refused to perform the song at the awards in 2003 because it would have required censoring, and opted to not even attend.

This time around, broadcasters bleeped over the track three times instead.

The surprise performance comes after the 8 Mile star dropped a new album “Music to Be Murdered By” last month.