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'When the song comes, it's a very emotional moment,' Florence Welch says of 'If I Rise' before live performance.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Florence Welch attends the 2011 Academy Awards
Photo: Getty Images

Florence Welch wasn't a nominee at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards on Sunday (February 27), but the breakout music star approached the evening as if she were up for a trophy.

Welch, who stepped in to help sing Dido's portion of Best Original Song nominee "If I Rise" (from "127 Hours"), talked to MTV News on the Oscar red carpet about her responsibility to do the song from the Best Picture nominee justice.

"When the song comes, it's a very emotional moment," said the Florence and the Machine frontwoman, who was making her Academy Awards debut. "It's the moment when James Franco's ... character realizes what he has to do."

Best Picture nominee "127 Hours" chronicles real-life hiker Aron Ralston's harrowing story of survival, including his decision to amputate his own arm when faced with possible death on a hiking trip. Clearly a fan of the film, Welch recalled her experience of watching the film.

"You know what's going to happen, but you're with him from the very beginning," the red-haired songstress said of Franco's portrayal, which also earned the Oscar host a nod for Best Actor.

In spite of the not-easy-to-watch moments in director Danny Boyle's film, Welch described the scene in which "If I Rise" begins to play "actually, a very calm moment."

Drawing inspiration from the movie and that particular moment scene, Welch told us she prepared to perform live alongside Oscar winner A.R. Rahman — he penned the song with Dido and Rollo Armstrong — by telling herself to "try and be calm."

As for Florence and the Machine fans, the singer told us they can expect new music very soon. "Right now, I'm just working on my second album," she said. But while many are still hoping Florence and the Machine will wind up on the upcoming "Breaking Dawn" soundtrack (they appeared on the "Eclipse" soundtrack), Welch confirmed that she hasn't been called to contribute to the project yet.

Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!

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