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

Published January 24, 2025

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

Diane Warren, often nominated before, is recognized for her 16th time with the song "The Journey" from "The Six Triple Eight." Elton John, who recently stepped back from live performances, is nominated for "Never Too Late," a song from the documentary about his life. The film "Emilia Pérez" stands out in the original song category, earning two of the five nominations, as well as another nomination for best score, making it a significant contender. The composer duo Clément Ducol and Camille each received three nominations this year. In addition, first-time nominees Abraham Alexander and Black Pumas’ Adrian Quesada composed "Like A Bird" for the film "Sing Sing."

Interestingly, the film "Challengers" did not receive a nomination in the original score category. Nominees in that category include "Emilia Pérez," along with Daniel Blumberg for "The Brutalist," Volker Bertelmann for "Conclave," John Powell and Stephen Schwartz for "Wicked," and Kris Bowers for "The Wild Robot."

Here’s how some of the nominated musicians reacted to their nominations.

Diane Warren

Diane Warren, nominated for her song "The Journey,” expressed excitement about her 16th nomination. “The fact that I get another shot is awesome. It feels like the losing team getting sent back for another chance,” she humorously remarked, alluding to sports. She also reflected on her previous nominations over the decades with her usual lightheartedness, saying, "I never did have a sweet 16; I was probably not sweet at all.” Once again, she celebrated with friends during a "sleepless sleepover" in anticipation of the nominations.

Clément Ducol and Camille for "Emilia Pérez"

This year, the film "Emilia Pérez" picked up three nominations, which are the first for the composers Ducol and Camille. Camille shared her reaction, showcasing the emotional build-up leading to the announcement. “We’ve worked hard, and now I feel very fulfilled and happy for the entire team,” she said. Ducol added, “It’s incredible. Everything is intertwined between the music, the script, and the story, and this recognition means the world to us.”

Elton John

This nomination marks Elton John's five-time entry into the original song category. He has previously won two Oscars for original songs. Elton expressed gratitude, saying, “It’s a great honor to be nominated for ‘Never Too Late,’ alongside my collaborators. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this song to life.” His longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin also reflected on the collaborative creative process behind the nomination, recognizing the importance of teamwork.

First-time Nominees: Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada

Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada are celebrating their first Oscar nominations for "Like A Bird" from "Sing Sing." Quesada shared the surprising joy of hearing about the nomination while driving, stating, “I couldn’t believe it. I got chills!” Alexander, on the other hand, learned about his nomination from home and described it as a surreal moment. He plans to celebrate with pizza and ice cream.

Other Original Score Nominees

Composer John Powell is nominated for "Wicked," which is his second Oscar nomination in the original score category. After dealing with crisis due to wildfires, Powell expressed mixed feelings about the nomination. He said, “It’s a wonderful thing… a shock considering everything.” Kris Bowers, nominated for his score in "The Wild Robot," expressed his lifelong dream of receiving an Oscar nomination in this category. He felt honored to be acknowledged for his work. Volker Bertelmann celebrated his nomination for "Conclave" by cooking with family, enjoying moments of joy amid challenges. Finally, Daniel Blumberg, celebrating his first Oscar nomination for "The Brutalist," described the significance of the project and his excitement to celebrate with his colleagues.

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