Honestly, it’s becoming a bit of a cinematic tradition. Every year, the Academy reveals the shortlist, the names are read out, and there she is. Diane Warren. She’s the songwriter who has defined the sound of Hollywood for nearly four decades. You’ve definitely sung her lyrics in your car—probably while crying. Yet, when it comes to the actual gold statue, the story of diane warren oscar nominations is one of the most baffling, impressive, and slightly heartbreaking streaks in show business history.
As of 2026, Warren has reached a staggering 16 competitive Academy Award nominations. She hasn't won a single one of them.
It’s a record that ties her with sound mixer Greg P. Russell for the most nominations without a win. Some call it a curse. Warren herself? She calls it being "consistent as f***."
The Incredible List of Diane Warren Oscar Nominations
You have to look at the sheer breadth of her work to understand why this matters. We’re talking about the woman who wrote "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" for Armageddon. That song was everywhere in 1998. It’s a power ballad staple. It lost to "When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt.
A few years before that, she gave us "Because You Loved Me" via Celine Dion for the movie Up Close & Personal. It lost to Evita. The pattern started early, back in 1987 with Starship’s "Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now." She’s been in the room for the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and every year of the 2020s so far.
Take a look at the recent run. It’s almost unbelievable.
Starting in 2017, she has been nominated every single year. That is eight consecutive years of being "the bridesmaid."
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- 2017: "Stand Up for Something" (Marshall)
- 2018: "I'll Fight" (RBG)
- 2019: "I'm Standing with You" (Breakthrough)
- 2020: "Io sì (Seen)" (The Life Ahead)
- 2021: "Somehow You Do" (Four Good Days)
- 2022: "Applause" (Tell It Like a Woman)
- 2023: "The Fire Inside" (Flamin' Hot)
- 2024: "The Journey" (The Six Triple Eight)
In 2025, at the 97th Academy Awards, "The Journey" lost to "El Mal" from Emilia Pérez. People were genuinely shocked. The song was a tribute to the all-Black, all-female 6888th Battalion. It felt like her moment. It wasn't.
Does the Honorary Oscar Change the Narrative?
In late 2022, the Academy finally gave her a statue. But it wasn't for a specific song. It was an Honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards. Cher presented it to her. It was a beautiful moment, but let's be real—it’s not the same as winning the competitive category.
Warren even joked during her speech that she’s waited 34 years to say "I'd like to thank the Academy." She finally got to take the "Oscar" home, but the quest for a competitive win for Best Original Song continues. In the industry, there's a certain weight to the "Competitive Win" that an honorary award doesn't quite replace. It’s like getting a lifetime achievement award when you’re still very much in the middle of your career.
What's Happening in 2026?
The 2026 Oscar cycle is already heating up, and guess who’s back?
The song "Dear Me" from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless made the 15-song shortlist in December 2025. This movie is literally about her. If she secures the official nomination later this month, it will be her 17th.
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The competition this year is brutal. You’ve got "Golden" from the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters and songs from Wicked: For Good and Sinners. Critics are split. Some think the Music Branch of the Academy might finally give it to her out of respect for her longevity. Others think the younger, trendier hits will continue to edge her out.
It’s kinda funny—Warren has become the "Terminator" of the Oscars. She just keeps coming back. She doesn't stop. She writes in a tiny office, often for 12 hours a day, still using the same old-school methods that made her a legend.
Why Does She Keep Losing?
There are a few theories. One is that she often writes for smaller films. Sometimes the song is the only good thing about the movie. "The Fire Inside" from Flamin' Hot is a great example—the movie didn't get much awards traction elsewhere, which makes it hard for the song to carry the win.
Compare that to Billie Eilish winning for "What Was I Made For?" from Barbie. That movie was a cultural phenomenon. It’s much easier to win when the whole Academy is already in love with the film. Warren is often the lone representative for her projects.
Another factor? The "industry veteran" tax. Voters might feel she’s "already been recognized" or that she doesn't "need" the win as much as a rising star. It’s a weird paradox. You’re so good you get nominated every year, but you’re so established people take your brilliance for granted.
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The Cultural Impact of the Snubs
If you look at the list of diane warren oscar nominations, you see the history of pop music.
- "How Do I Live" is one of the most successful songs in Billboard history.
- "Un-Break My Heart" (though not an Oscar nominee) proved her dominance.
- "Til It Happens to You" (nominated in 2015) became an anthem for survivors of sexual assault.
The fact that she hasn't won a competitive Oscar hasn't stopped her from winning a Grammy, an Emmy, and two Golden Globes. She has 9 Number One hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Honestly, she’s doing just fine. But the narrative of the "Oscar loser" has become part of her brand. It makes her the underdog, even though she’s one of the most powerful people in music.
What You Should Know About the 2026 Race
If you're following the awards this year, keep an eye on the nomination announcement on January 27, 2026.
If "Dear Me" gets the nod, the conversation will shift immediately to "Is this the year?" The documentary Relentless gives voters a chance to see her process and her passion. It’s a very meta situation—a song about Diane Warren, in a movie about Diane Warren, potentially giving Diane Warren the Oscar she’s been chasing since 1987.
Actionable Insights for Movie and Music Fans:
- Listen to the Shortlist: Before the ceremony, listen to "Dear Me" alongside "Golden" and the Wicked tracks. You'll notice Warren still leans into that classic, soaring ballad structure that is becoming rarer in modern film.
- Watch the Documentary: Diane Warren: Relentless actually explains why she is so obsessed with the Oscars. It’s not just about the trophy; it’s about the validation of the song as a piece of the film.
- Check the Stats: If she hits 17 nominations without a win, she will hold the record entirely on her own. It’s a bittersweet milestone, but a milestone nonetheless.
- Support the Songwriters: Most people focus on the actors, but the Best Original Song category is often where the most emotional connection to a film happens. Pay attention to who actually wrote the lyrics next time you’re watching the credits.
Whether she wins in 2026 or moves to 0-for-17, Diane Warren has already won the long game. Her songs are the soundtrack to millions of lives. A gold statue is nice, but "How Do I Live" playing at every wedding for the last thirty years is a different kind of immortality.
Next Steps:
- Track the final Oscar nominations announcement on January 27 to see if "Dear Me" makes the final five.
- Compare Warren's 2026 contender "Dear Me" with her previous nominees to see how her style has evolved over her 40-year career.
- Watch the 98th Academy Awards on March 8, 2026, to see if the streak finally ends.