The Most Emotional Performance, Ranked

Choose the performance you think is the most emotional!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:26
Capturing the essence of an emotional performance can be as transformative as the performance itself. These moments leave a lasting impression, sparking discussions, inspiring creativity, and bringing communities together. Voting for the most emotional performance allows us to collectively celebrate the art that moves us most deeply. By participating in these rankings, individuals have the unique opportunity to express what resonates with them on an emotional level. Each vote not only aids in curating a list that reflects the public’s sentiment but also highlights the diverse experiences and tastes within our community. This shared effort crafts a living mosaic of impactful artistic expressions.

What Is the Most Emotional Performance?

  1. 1
    42
    votes
    Houston's powerful vocal range and emotional delivery of the song left the audience in awe.
    Whitney Houston's performance of the song 'I Will Always Love You' at the 1994 Grammy Awards was an exceptionally emotional and powerful moment. Houston's soulful rendition of the iconic song moved the audience and became one of the most unforgettable performances in Grammy history. The song was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton, but Houston's rendition in the movie 'The Bodyguard' catapulted it to immense popularity.
    • Event: 1994 Grammy Awards
    • Song: I Will Always Love You
    • Original Writer: Dolly Parton
    • Movie: The Bodyguard
    • Emotional Impact: Powerful
  2. 2
    47
    votes
    Adele's raw and vulnerable performance of the heartbreak ballad left the audience in tears.
    Adele's performance of "Someone Like You" at the 2011 Brit Awards was an incredibly emotional and captivating rendition of the song. Adele poured her heart and soul into the performance, delivering raw and heartfelt vocals that left the audience moved and in tears. The simplicity of the piano accompaniment allowed for Adele's powerful voice to take center stage, evoking a sense of longing and vulnerability. This performance marked a milestone in Adele's career, solidifying her status as a powerhouse vocalist and emotional performer.
    • Event: 2011 Brit Awards
    • Song: Someone Like You
    • Emotion: Highly emotional
    • Vocals: Raw and heartfelt
    • Accompaniment: Piano
  3. 3
    20
    votes
    Beyoncé's deeply personal exploration of infidelity, betrayal, and forgiveness in her marriage to Jay-Z left fans emotionally moved.
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    Cash's haunting cover of the Nine Inch Nails song, paired with the emotional video featuring footage of his own life, left viewers feeling the weight of his pain and regret.
  5. 5
    27
    votes
    Dion's stunning performance of the Titanic theme song, complete with dramatic orchestral accompaniment, left the audience in tears.
    Celine Dion's performance of 'My Heart Will Go On' at the 1998 Academy Awards was an incredibly emotional and powerful moment. The song, which served as the theme for the blockbuster film Titanic, resonated with audiences worldwide. Dion's stunning vocals, combined with the grandeur of the event, created an unforgettable performance that touched the hearts of many.
    • Event: 1998 Academy Awards
    • Song: My Heart Will Go On
    • Film: Titanic
    • Emotion: Powerful
    • Vocals: Stunning
  6. 6
    10
    votes
    Smith's emotional performance of the heart-wrenching breakup song left fans feeling every ounce of his pain.
    Sam Smith's performance of "Stay With Me" at the 2014 Brit Awards was an incredibly emotional and heartfelt rendition that captivated the audience. Smith poured his soul into the song, delivering powerful vocals filled with raw emotion. The performance was truly memorable and left a lasting impact on those who witnessed it.
    • Event: 2014 Brit Awards
    • Song: Stay With Me
    • Year: 2014
    • Emotion: Highly emotional
    • Vocals: Powerful
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    Pink's aerial performance of the beautiful ballad, complete with acrobatics and aerial stunts, left viewers feeling inspired and moved.
    Pink's performance of 'Glitter in the Air' at the 2010 Grammy Awards was a breathtaking and deeply emotional display of artistry. With powerful vocals and an awe-inspiring aerial acrobatic act, Pink captivated the audience with her raw vulnerability and stunning showmanship. The performance was a standout moment of the night, leaving viewers in awe of her talent and the sheer beauty of the song.
    • Event: 2010 Grammy Awards
    • Song: Glitter in the Air
    • Emotion: Deeply emotional
    • Vocals: Powerful
    • Visuals: Aerial acrobatic act
  8. 8
    11
    votes
    Gaga's emotional performance of the powerful anti-sexual assault anthem left the audience in tears and earned a standing ovation.
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    Aguilera's emotional performance of the empowering ballad, complete with a choir of survivors of domestic violence and abuse, left viewers feeling inspired and moved.
    Christina Aguilera's performance of 'Beautiful' at the 2003 Grammy Awards was a highly emotional and impactful moment. During the performance, Aguilera showcased her vocal prowess and conveyed a powerful message of self-acceptance and empowerment. The raw emotion in her voice and the heartfelt lyrics resonated with the audience and left a lasting impact.
    • Event: 2003 Grammy Awards
    • Song: Beautiful
    • Emotion: Highly emotional
    • Message: Self-acceptance and empowerment
    • Vocal Performance: Showcased Aguilera's vocal prowess
  10. 10
    3
    votes
    Jackson's stirring performance of the introspective and inspiring song left the audience feeling uplifted and empowered.

Missing your favorite performance?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for emotional performance

  1. Authenticity
    The performance should come across as genuine and true to the character's emotions. The actor should fully inhabit their role, making the audience believe in the emotions being portrayed.
  2. Emotional range
    The ability to showcase a wide range of emotions, from subtle to intense, contributes to a great emotional performance. The actor should be able to switch between different emotional states seamlessly and convincingly.
  3. Vulnerability
    A truly emotional performance often involves an actor revealing vulnerability, thus making a strong connection with the audience. The actor should not be afraid to show their character's weaknesses, as this can make their performance more relatable and powerful.
  4. Body language and facial expressions
    The actor's body language and facial expressions should convey the emotions of the character accurately and consistently throughout the performance. Even without dialogue, an audience should be able to understand the character's emotional state through non-verbal cues.
  5. Voice and tone
    The actor's voice and tone should also effectively communicate the emotions of the character. The actor should be able to vary their voice and tone according to the situation and character's emotions, from soft and quiet to loud and intense.
  6. Timing and pacing
    The emotional intensity of a performance should rise and fall in a natural and believable way. The actor should know when to hold back and when to let their emotions explode, creating a palpable tension for the audience.
  7. Adaptability and chemistry
    An emotional performance should also take into account the dynamic with other actors on stage or in a scene. The actors should be able to adapt their performance based on their interactions with other characters and respond to their emotional cues.
  8. Relevance and impact
    The performance should be relevant to the plot, character arc, and overall theme of the story. It should have a lasting impact on the audience, evoking an emotional response and leaving them thinking about the performance long after it has ended.
  9. Connection with the audience
    A truly emotional performance will resonate with the audience on a deep level, potentially eliciting their own emotions. The actor should be able to create a strong connection with the audience, allowing them to empathize with the character and the emotions they're experiencing.
  10. Consistency
    The emotional performance should be consistent throughout the entirety of a scene, play, or film. The actor should maintain the same level of emotional intensity and vulnerability from beginning to end, making the character's journey believable and moving.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most emotional performance. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or performance is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3009 views
  • 192 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each performance once every 24 hours. The rank of each performance is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most emotional performance

Background: Emotions are an integral part of the human experience. They can be expressed in various forms, from tears of joy to uncontrollable sobs of sadness. Emotions are also a powerful tool in the world of entertainment, particularly in performances that capture the essence of human experience. From music to dance to theater, emotional performances have the ability to move us to our very core. The question of what constitutes the most emotional performance is a subjective one. Everyone has their own unique perspective on what they find emotionally impactful. However, there are certain performances that have become iconic for their ability to evoke a powerful emotional response in audiences. Throughout history, there have been countless emotional performances that have left their mark on the world. From powerful speeches to heart-wrenching scenes in movies, these performances have become a part of our cultural fabric. In today's world, social media has become a platform for sharing emotional performances, with millions of people around the world sharing and experiencing the power of these moments. At StrawPoll, we understand the importance of emotional performances and their impact on our lives. We've curated a list of the most emotional performances of all time, compiled from thousands of polls and rankings on our platform. Join us as we explore the most moving, heartwarming, and emotional performances that have captured our hearts and minds.

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