Debbie Allen Claims Her Crown:
Honorary Oscar & A Viral Dance with Tom Cruise
November 17, 2025 • KMOB1003 — Where Legends Break & Underdogs Rise
Debbie Allen just claimed her rightful crown: her first Oscar — an Honorary Award that cements her as one of Hollywood’s living legends.
KMOB Video Spotlight – The Viral Dance That Broke the Internet
The night before the ceremony, Allen hosted a pre-party at her Debbie Allen Dance Academy — and turned it into pure magic. With DJ D-Nice on the decks and Phylicia Rashad and Jenifer Lewis cheering from the crowd, Allen, 75, faced off against Tom Cruise, 63, in an epic, laughter-filled dance battle. “Tom Cruise is invited to the barbecue!” D-Nice declared as the clip exploded across socials.
GettyImages-2246549609-1200×900 Debbie Allen
Inside the Ray Dolby Ballroom, the atmosphere was electric. Erivo introduced Allen as “a trailblazing force whose movement, creativity, and vision have inspired generations.” Accepting her Oscar, Allen was pure grace and fire: “I’m definitely taking him to work with me and keeping him close — not for what I’ve done, but for what I have yet to do.”
Debbie Allen’s Full Acceptance Speech
Allen’s journey is the blueprint for Black excellence in Hollywood. She exploded as Lydia Grant in Fame, directed and produced A Different World, shaped Grey’s Anatomy into a cultural institution, and choreographed the Oscars seven times. Her Dance Academy has empowered thousands of underserved youth, launching careers while teaching resilience through rhythm.
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KMOB1003’s Take
Debbie Allen didn’t just earn an Oscar — she reminded Hollywood how to celebrate one. At 75, still leading with joy, still dancing like the room belongs to her, she proved legends don’t retire. They just keep raising the bar higher for the rest of us.
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