Diane Warren's Oscar Drought Continues at 2026 Ceremony
The celebrated songwriter Diane Warren was unable to break her long-standing Oscars curse during Sunday night's 98th Academy Awards ceremony. Warren received her 17th nomination in the Best Original Song category for Dear Me, performed by Kesha in the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless. However, she once again departed empty-handed as the award was claimed by the songwriting team behind the KPop Demon Hunters hit Golden.
Record for Most Nominations Without a Win
Warren now holds the distinction of being the nominee with the most Oscar nominations who has never won. This record was previously held by sound mixer Greg P. Russell, who also had 17 nominations. However, Russell's final nomination for 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi in 2016 was later rescinded by the Academy after he allegedly contacted voters during the nomination period, leaving him with only 16 official nominations.
In the days leading up to the ceremony, Warren expressed her disappointment that her nominated song would not be performed. "It would have been nice had [Kesha] been able to perform the song," she told USA Today at a Women in Film event. "And that would have been an amazing moment. I'm not in control of that, but it would have been amazing." The Academy's controversial decision to feature only two of the nominated songs in performances this year meant that Dear Me was excluded, while the winning Golden and I Lied To You from Sinners were showcased.
Honorary Award and Contrasting Fortunes
Despite her ongoing losing streak, Warren technically possesses an Oscar, having received an honorary Academy Award in 2022. Her misfortune stood in stark contrast to another perennial nominee who experienced a dramatic reversal of fortune at this year's ceremony.
Director Paul Thomas Anderson, despite crafting modern classics like There Will Be Blood and Boogie Nights, had never won an Oscar despite 11 prior nominations. This year, he achieved a remarkable triumph, securing all three awards for which he was nominated: Best Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay for his acclaimed thriller One Battle After Another.
Highlights from the 2026 Oscars
The 98th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted for the second consecutive year by Conan O'Brien, celebrated the finest films of 2025. The ceremony was marked by intense competition and notable snubs across various categories.
Top Contenders and Nominations
Ryan Coogler's horror film Sinners led the nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan. Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another followed closely with 13 nominations, while Josh Safdie's Marty Supreme and other films like Frankenstein and Sentimental Value also garnered significant attention.
The Best Actor category was particularly competitive, featuring a dead heat between Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme) and Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), with Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) rounding out the nominees. Chalamet's controversial comments about ballet and opera added an extra layer of tension to the race.
Notable Snubs and New Award
Several anticipated performances were overlooked, including Ariana Grande's snub in the Best Supporting Actress category for Wicked: For Good, despite her nomination the previous year. The film was completely shut out of nominations, as was Gwyneth Paltrow for her role in Marty Supreme.
This year also introduced a new award for Best Casting, with nominees including Nina Gold for Hamnet and Francine Maisler for Sinners. The ceremony, broadcast live on ABC and streaming platforms, showcased a night of both predictable outcomes and surprising triumphs, with Diane Warren's enduring curse remaining a poignant storyline amidst the glitz and glamour.
