Backstage, an open-source developer portal created by Spotify, was initially designed to manage microservices chaos and boost productivity by consolidating tools and providing a centralized software catalog. Since its release in 2020, it has seen widespread adoption among major tech companies like Netflix, Lyft, and Airbnb due to its promise of transforming developer workflows. However, as organizations integrate Backstage, they face significant challenges such as overwhelming DIY customizations, limited adoption, quickly outdated catalogs, ineffective scaffolding for legacy systems, and underwhelming scorecards, leading to a low return on investment. Despite these issues, the article suggests that Backstage's potential lies in evolving into a dynamic system that aligns engineering efforts, integrates into daily workflows, and provides real-time insights into engineering practices, ultimately making it indispensable for organizations seeking to enhance developer experience and governance.