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Elton John, Diane Warren and Others React to 2025 Oscar Music Nominations

Published January 23, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2025 Oscar nominations have been announced, showcasing a diverse array of talent in its music categories.

Diane Warren, celebrated for her multiple nominations, receives recognition for the 16th time with her song “The Journey” from the film “The Six Triple Eight.” Elton John, who is now retired from live performances, is nominated for the original song “Never Too Late,” featured in the documentary about his life. The film “Emilia Pérez” leads the nominations in this category, securing two spots out of five, along with a nomination for best score, highlighting the work of composer duo Clément Ducol and Camille. Additionally, first-time nominees Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada from Black Pumas earned a nomination for their song “Like A Bird” from the movie “Sing Sing.”

Interestingly, the film “Challengers” does not appear in the original score category. Other films nominated for original score include “The Brutalist,” “Conclave,” “Wicked,” and “The Wild Robot.”

Diane Warren's Humor and Hope

Diane Warren’s nomination for “The Journey” marks another chance for her. She humorously acknowledged, “The fact that I get another shot is awesome. It’s like the losing team that’s getting sent back.” With 16 nominations, she joked, “I never did have a sweet 16,” and playfully added, “I was 16 but probably I wasn’t sweet.” She reminisced about holding a “sleepless sleepover” with friends before the nominations were revealed.

Music from Emilia Pérez 

The nominations for music from “Emilia Pérez” mark a significant milestone for Ducol and Camille. Camille expressed how it feels to transition from anxiety to relief upon learning of their nominations, stating, “It’s very fulfilling and happy for all the team.” She emphasized the importance of their film, calling it “very free, provocative and empathic.” Ducol described their involvement in the film as integral, saying, “The music and songs are the script. It is the story.”

Elton John's Emotional Return

Elton John celebrates his fifth nomination, having previously won two Oscars for original songs. In a statement, he expressed gratitude, saying, “It’s an incredible honor to receive this nomination for ‘Never Too Late,’ alongside my collaborators.” This nomination holds significance for lyricist Bernie Taupin as well, who noted the collaborative effort behind the song.

First-time Nominees Celebrate

For both Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada, news of their nomination was surreal. Quesada recalled his excitement driving after dropping off his daughter at school, while Alexander expressed his emotional reaction, saying, “It feels surreal.” They emphasized the deeper meaning of their nomination due to the film’s focus on bringing art to incarcerated individuals.

Other Notable Nominations

Composer John Powell received a nomination for his work on “Wicked,” marking his second nomination in the original score category. Kris Bowers celebrated an original score nomination for “The Wild Robot,” connecting the project to his personal life as a father. Volker Bertelmann celebrated while cooking soup with his family after receiving a nomination for “Conclave.”

In London, Daniel Blumberg revealed his first Oscars nomination while having lunch with the “Brutalist” crew, describing it as surreal. He plans to celebrate the occasion with a drink in Kent. Overall, this year's nominations encapsulate a broad range of talent and creativity within the music categories of the Oscars.

Oscar, Nominations, Music