Diane Warren's Oscars Curse Continues with 17th Nomination Loss
At the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony, celebrated American songwriter Diane Warren failed to break her long-standing Oscars curse, suffering her 17th nomination without a victory. The 69-year-old music icon, whose illustrious career spans decades, was nominated in the Best Original Song category for Dear Me, performed by Kesha in the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless. However, the award went to Golden from KPop Demon Hunters, performed by Ejae, Ido, and Teddy Park.
A Record-Breaking Streak of Disappointment
With this latest loss, Warren now holds the unenviable distinction of being the nominee with the most Oscar nominations who has never won, surpassing the previous record held by sound mixer Greg P. Russell, who had 16 nominations. Her Oscars journey began in 1987 with the song Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now from Mannequin, and she received eight consecutive nominations between 2018 and 2025, highlighting her consistent presence and enduring talent in the industry.
Following the ceremony, Warren took to social media to share her disappointment with characteristic wit, posting: 'Well, at least I'm consistent!' She added, 'And I set a new record tonite!! But U know me, I will be back if you'll have me!!!' This resilience underscores her legendary status, even as the irony of her situation deepens.
The Documentary That Mirrors Reality
The 2026 nomination carried a particularly cruel twist, as Dear Me features in the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, which chronicles her career and frequent Oscar near-misses. The film highlights her fierce dedication to creating hits and her unique journey as one of music's most successful non-performing creators. In an interview with USA Today, Warren explained the song's personal significance: 'I wanted to talk to the young girl that was bullied and made fun of and told I wasn't good enough my whole life. I wanted to tell that young girl that she's going to be OK.'
Fans on social media were quick to note the parallels, with one commenting: 'Can't decide if Diane Warren being nominated for the song she wrote for the documentary she made about being always the Oscar nominee never the winner is more a 30 Rock joke or a The Other Two one.' Another observed: 'I think we need to take a moment to appreciate that Diane Warren's awful nominated song this year is from a documentary ABOUT how Diane Warren loses the Oscar for her awful nominated songs every year.'
A History of Near-Misses and Honours
Warren's Oscars history is marked by a series of high-profile near-misses. In 1987, she lost to The Time Of My Life from Dirty Dancing, setting the tone for her streak. She later reeled off nominations for major hits like Because You Loved Me with Celine Dion in 1996, How Do I Live with Trisha Yearwood in 1997, and I Don't Want to Miss a Thing with Aerosmith in 1998, all of which missed out on wins.
Her nominations continued into the 2000s and 2010s, with recognition for songs such as Music of My Heart from Music of the Heart (1999), There You'll Be from Pearl Harbor (2001), and Grateful from Beyond the Lights (2014). More recent nods include Til It Happens to You from The Hunting Ground (2015), Stand Up for Something from Marshall (2017), and Io sì (Seen) from The Life Ahead (2020).
In 2022, Warren was awarded an honorary Oscar at the Governors' Awards in recognition of her contributions to music, a accolade she cherishes but has humorously noted leaves her competitive Oscar 'lonely' and in need of a 'friend'. Ahead of the 2026 ceremony, she expressed disappointment that Dear Me would not be performed, telling USA Today: 'It would have been nice had [Kesha] been able to perform the song. And that would have been an amazing moment. I'm not in control of that, but it would have been amazing.'
Looking Ahead with Relentless Spirit
Despite the repeated setbacks, Warren's determination remains unwavering. Her documentary's title, Relentless, aptly captures her enduring spirit in the face of adversity. As fans speculate about a potential sequel—jokingly dubbed 'Diane Warren 2: Relentless Forever'—the songwriter continues to be a beloved figure in the entertainment world, celebrated for her prolific output and resilience.
The 2026 Oscars ceremony saw other major winners, including One Battle After Another for Best Picture, Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor in Sinners, and Paul Thomas Anderson for Best Director. Yet, for many, Warren's ongoing saga of near-misses remains one of the most compelling stories of the night, a testament to her lasting impact and the unpredictable nature of awards season.
