NEW YORK – The nominations for the 2025 Academy Awards have been announced, showcasing a diverse array of talent within the music categories.
Diane Warren, a frequent nominee, is honored for her 16th time for the song “The Journey,” featured in the film “The Six Triple Eight.” Elton John, who recently stepped back from live performances, also garners recognition for his original song “Never Too Late” from a documentary about his life. Meanwhile, the film “Emilia Pérez” stands out in the original song category, achieving two of the five nominations along with a nod for best score. The composer duo Clément Ducol and Camille secured a total of three nominations. Additionally, Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas received their first Oscar nominations for their song “Like A Bird” from the film “Sing Sing.”
A significant entry, “Challengers” was left out of the original score nominations. Other contenders in that category are Daniel Blumberg for “The Brutalist,” Volker Bertelmann for “Conclave,” John Powell and Stephen Schwartz for “Wicked,” and the talented Kris Bowers, who is nominated for “The Wild Robot.”
The nominees have begun to share their reactions to the announcement. Diane Warren expressed her excitement upon receiving yet another nomination. “It feels fantastic to have another chance. It’s like a team that keeps getting sent back after a loss,” she remarked. Warren humorously recalled the significance of the number 16 in her life, stating, “I’ve never had a sweet 16 party, and now here I am, nominated 16 times.” The song “The Journey” holds a special place for her, and she celebrated the announcement with her usual “sleepless sleepover” alongside friends, filled with anticipation.
The film “Emilia Pérez” has secured three nominations for Clément Ducol and Camille, marking their first acknowledgment by the Academy. “Going from anxiety to pure joy is exhilarating,” Camille shared, highlighting the effort put into the music campaign for the film. Ducol added that the music in the film is intricately linked to the screenplay and story, stating, “We feel it’s our movie. The music is not just an accompaniment; it forms an integral part of the storytelling.”
Elton John is back in the original song Oscar race with “Never Too Late.” Prior to this recognition, he had already won two Oscars in the original song category, including a win for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” in 1994 for “The Lion King.” Expressing gratitude for the nomination, he said, “It’s an incredible honor, and I am thankful to everyone who helped bring this song to life.” His frequent collaborator, Bernie Taupin, also acknowledged the importance of this nomination and expressed his joy over the collaborative effort behind the song alongside Brandi Carlile and Andrew Watt, who both earned their first nominations as well. Carlile reflected on this achievement, stating it’s a dream come true to share the honor with those she admires.
Meanwhile, the song “Like A Bird” marks the beginning of Oscar journeys for Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada. Quesada recounted his excitement upon learning about the nomination while driving his daughter to school, and he commented on the deeper significance of having such a film being screened for incarcerated individuals. Alexander celebrated the announcement with tears of joy and described the honor as a validation for his artistry. As for a celebratory plan, he jokingly declared that pizza and ice cream are on the agenda.
John Powell received his second Oscar nomination for the score of “Wicked.” Currently facing challenges due to recent wildfires that displaced him from his home, Powell expressed mixed emotions about his nomination while staying with his girlfriend’s family. He mentioned that receiving such news amidst the turmoil felt surreal. The music in “Wicked,” he says, captures the joy he aims to bring through his work.
Kris Bowers, who has previously won an Oscar in documentary categories, is being recognized for his first original score nomination for “The Wild Robot.” Contemplating his journey, Bowers shared how working on the animated feature aligns with childhood dreams and memories of early fatherhood. He described the acknowledgment as bittersweet, considering the ongoing destruction caused by wildfires affecting friends and loved ones.
Volker Bertelmann, who earned his third nomination with “Conclave,” celebrated his recognition while cooking vegetable soup for his family. He recounted the joyous moment when the news came in, prompting a dance party at home with his family to celebrate. Bertelmann emphasized the communal aspect of joy in moments like this, reminiscing about dancing to various tunes during the celebration.
Lastly, Daniel Blumberg celebrated his first Oscar nomination for “The Brutalist” while having lunch with the film’s director. Describing it as a surreal day, he noted the dedication that went into the project, promising a celebratory drink later in collaboration with a longtime friend who was instrumental in the film’s music.
