Being called an Oscar nominee is a prestigious title, one that signifies recognition for exceptional talent in the film industry. While winning an Academy Award is the pinnacle of many careers, a nomination is still a remarkable achievement. Multiple nominations highlight consistency in excellence, as demonstrated by Meryl Streep, who has earned 21 acting nominations, cementing her status as one of the greatest living actors. However, one woman has consistently been nominated without ever securing a win, despite 16 nominations over 38 years.
Diane Warren, the iconic songwriter, reached a new record at the 2025 Oscars when she was nominated for Best Original Song for her track “The Journey” from the Netflix film The Six Triple Eight. This marked her 16th Oscar nomination without a single win. Despite her continued recognition, Warren lost once again when Clément Ducol and Camille won for their song El Mal from Emilia Pérez. This was Warren’s eighth consecutive nomination in the category, and her inability to win has become a notable part of her career. She now holds more nominations than legendary actors like Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Kate Winslet, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Warren, born in 1956, has been a staple in the music industry for nearly five decades. She has amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including an Emmy, two Golden Globes, and three Billboard Music Awards. Known for her work with artists like Cher, Celine Dion, and Aerosmith, Warren has written nine number-one songs and 33 top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Her songwriting career has earned her the title of “the most important songwriter in the world” by EMI’s UK Chairman Peter Reichardt.
Despite her musical success, Warren has lived a relatively private personal life, describing herself as “unromantic” and claiming she has been single since 1992. She has said that she draws drama into her life and works tirelessly, often putting in 12-16 hour days and taking her keyboard with her wherever she goes.
Some of her most famous songs include If I Could Turn Back Time (Cher), Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion), How Do I Live (LeAnn Rimes), and I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith). While she may have yet to win an Oscar, her contributions to music have solidified her as a legendary figure in the industry.
