Diane Warren, Elton John Lead 2025 Oscars Music Nominations \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The 2025 Oscar music nominations feature icons and fresh faces, with Diane Warren earning her 16th nod for “The Journey” and Elton John returning with “Never Too Late.” “Emilia Pérez” leads with three nominations for Clément Ducol and Camille. First-time nominees Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada celebrate for “Like a Bird,” while familiar names like Volker Bertelmann and Kris Bowers make strong showings in the original score category.
2025 Oscar Music Nominations Quick Looks:
- Diane Warren’s 16th Nomination: “The Journey” keeps her historic streak alive.
- Elton John Returns: Nominated for “Never Too Late,” marking his fifth nod.
- “Emilia Pérez” Leads: Three nominations, including two songs and best score.
- Fresh Faces: First nominations for Abraham Alexander, Adrian Quesada, and Brandi Carlile.
- Original Score Standouts: “Wicked,” “Conclave,” and “The Wild Robot” among nominees.
Deep Look:
The 2025 Oscar nominations bring a spotlight to the critical role of music in film, celebrating legends, emerging artists, and innovative collaborations across the original score and original song categories. From Diane Warren’s 16th nomination to “Emilia Pérez” dominating with three nods, this year’s nominees reflect both the enduring power of established icons and the excitement of new voices breaking into the industry.
Diane Warren: 16 Nominations and Counting
Legendary songwriter Diane Warren continues her remarkable Oscar journey with her 16th nomination for “The Journey,” featured in The Six Triple Eight. Despite never having won a competitive Oscar, Warren remains optimistic about her latest chance, joking about her record-breaking streak.
“It’s like the losing team that gets sent back to the Super Bowl year after year,” she quipped, referencing her decades of nominations across five decades.
Warren’s career achievement is not lost on her, as she humorously reflected, “Since I’m only 39, how did that happen?” Despite her lighthearted remarks, Warren emphasized her gratitude for each opportunity.
Warren’s sleepless anticipation for the nominations has become a ritual. She hosted a “sleepless sleepover” with friends to watch the announcement, sharing the moment with those closest to her.
“Emilia Pérez” Leads with Three Nominations
French composer duo Clément Ducol and Camille celebrated their first Oscar nominations for their work on Emilia Pérez. The film earned nods for best score and two original songs, “El Mal” and “Mi Camino,” showcasing the duo’s integral role in crafting the narrative through music.
Camille described the moment of hearing the news as a mix of relief and joy. “We’ve worked so much, and this recognition means everything to us,” she said.
The duo highlighted the unique integration of music into Emilia Pérez. Ducol explained, “The music and the songs in this movie are the script. It is the story.” This approach set Emilia Pérez apart, with the composers involved in shaping the narrative from its inception.
Their work reflects the film’s provocative and empathetic spirit, a characteristic they believe resonates with today’s audiences.
Elton John: A Return with “Never Too Late”
Elton John, a two-time Oscar winner, returned to the Academy Awards with his fifth nomination for “Never Too Late,” from the documentary about his life. His collaborators, including longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, Brandi Carlile, and Andrew Watt, also received nods, marking Carlile and Watt’s first nominations.
“It’s an incredible honor to receive this nomination,” John said in a statement, praising his team for their creative synergy.
Carlile described the moment as surreal. “I honestly can’t imagine a higher honor,” she said. Watt expressed similar sentiments, calling it a dream come true.
Taupin, nominated alongside John, reflected on the collaborative nature of the project. “What makes this so special is that it was a collaborative effort with people I deeply admire,” he said.
“Like a Bird” Brings First-Time Recognition
Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada earned their first Oscar nominations for “Like a Bird,” from the film Sing Sing. The song, deeply tied to the film’s exploration of the lives of incarcerated individuals, carries a profound emotional weight.
Alexander, watching the nominations live from his Texas home, said he was overwhelmed with emotion. “I instantly started crying,” he said.
Quesada, who learned of the nomination while driving, emphasized the larger significance of the film. “There’s a bigger picture here,” he said, referencing the movie’s impact on audiences, especially within incarcerated communities.
Original Score: Familiar Names and New Faces
John Powell for “Wicked”
John Powell received his second Oscar nomination for the highly anticipated Wicked. Powell described the nomination as a bright moment during a challenging time. Having evacuated his home due to wildfires in Los Angeles, Powell is temporarily living on a pullout couch but remains grateful for the recognition.
“It’s such a weird time to be getting excited about something like this,” Powell admitted, but he emphasized his joy at bringing cinematic joy through his work on Wicked.
Kris Bowers for “The Wild Robot”
Kris Bowers, a rising star in film composition, earned his first original score nomination for the animated feature The Wild Robot. Bowers, who previously won for The Last Repair Shop in 2023, called this nomination a childhood dream realized.
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be an animator as much as a composer,” Bowers said, recalling how music-driven cartoons like Tom and Jerry shaped his imagination.
Bowers worked on the film while raising his infant daughter, a period he describes as bittersweet due to ongoing wildfires that displaced friends and destroyed homes.
Volker Bertelmann for “Conclave”
Volker Bertelmann, who won in 2022 for All Quiet on the Western Front, earned his third Oscar nomination for Conclave. Bertelmann learned of the news while cooking vegetable soup for his family in Germany.
“We celebrated with polka music and 50 Cent,” he joked, describing the joy of sharing the moment with his wife and children.
Daniel Blumberg for “The Brutalist”
First-time nominee Daniel Blumberg received recognition for The Brutalist. He shared the moment with the film’s director and producer during lunch in London, describing the day as “surreal.”
Blumberg praised the creative team for their uncompromising approach to the film’s vision and plans to celebrate with collaborators over vodka in Kent.
Looking Ahead: Celebrating Music’s Role in Film
The 2025 Oscar music nominees highlight the critical role of music in storytelling. From Diane Warren’s decades-spanning legacy to fresh voices like Abraham Alexander and Clément Ducol, this year’s contenders reflect a wide spectrum of artistic expression.
As the Academy Awards approach, the music categories promise to celebrate not only individual talent but also the collaborative spirit that defines the intersection of music and cinema.
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