For a few quiet minutes inside London's Royal Festival Hall, applause gave way to stillness.
At the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards on February 22, Jessie Ware delivered a deeply moving rendition of Barbra Streisand's classic "The Way We Were" during the ceremony's In Memoriam segment - a performance that many viewers described as the emotional center of the night.
While One Battle After Another dominated the awards, it was Ware's stripped-back tribute that shifted the atmosphere from celebration to reflection.
A Song That Carried Decades of Meaning
"The Way We Were" was originally written for the 1973 romantic drama starring Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand. Redford, who passed away in September, appeared as the final name honored in the BAFTA In Memoriam montage - a poignant bookend to a song forever tied to cinematic memory.
As images of film legends filled the screen - including Diane Keaton, Gene Hackman, Catherine O'Hara, Terence Stamp, Robert Duvall, Val Kilmer and others - Ware's restrained vocals allowed the weight of the moment to breathe.
There were no dramatic stage effects. No spectacle. Just voice, memory, and names.
In an industry built on storytelling, the tribute felt like a reminder that behind every frame are real lives - artists whose work shaped culture long after the credits rolled.
A Contrast to the Night's High-Energy Moments
Earlier in the ceremony, the BAFTA stage pulsed with color and choreography as the voices of KPop Demon Hunters performed "Golden." But Ware's performance offered something different: pause.
The In Memoriam segment has long been one of the most sacred parts of major awards ceremonies. This year, Ware's interpretation leaned into vulnerability rather than grandeur. Her phrasing was delicate, reflective - almost prayerful in tone.
In a year when the film world lost so many influential figures, the choice of song felt intentional. "Memories may be beautiful and yet / What's too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget."
The lyrics lingered.
More Than a Tribute
Ware had previously described it as "a great honour" to perform during such an important moment. That reverence was evident on stage.
In a cultural landscape often driven by noise and momentum, the performance stood as a reminder that remembrance matters. Faith traditions have long understood the power of honoring those who have gone before us - not only celebrating achievement, but pausing to give thanks for lives lived and legacies left behind.
At BAFTAs 2026, trophies filled the headlines.
But for many watching, it was Jessie Ware's quiet, heartfelt performance that left the deepest imprint.
