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Diane Warren Sets Record with 17th Oscar Loss

3/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Diane Warren, the American songwriter, set the record for the most Oscar nominations without a win at the 2026 Academy Awards.
She lost for the 17th time for the song “Dear Me,” performed by Kesha in the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless.
The award went to the KPop song “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Warren received an honorary Oscar in 2022 and says she still hopes to win a competitive Oscar.

History

Historical Context

Diane Warren's record of 17 Oscar nominations without a win, set in 2026, mirrors Alfred Hitchcock's five nominations without a win by 1980. The Academy has historically favored certain genres, as evidenced by Warren receiving an honorary Oscar in 2023. This trend raises ongoing questions about recognition criteria and the evolving role of music in film, particularly for songwriters.

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Story summary

Diane Warren, the American songwriter, set the record for the most Oscar nominations without a win at the 2026 Academy Awards.
She lost for the 17th time for the song “Dear Me,” performed by Kesha in the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless.
The award went to the KPop song “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Warren received an honorary Oscar in 2022 and says she still hopes to win a competitive Oscar.

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