Diane Warren’s remarkable yet disappointing journey at the Oscars continues, as she now holds the record for the longest current losing streak with 17 nominations without a win. Her latest nomination came in 2026 for the song “Dear Me,” which was performed by Kesha but ultimately did not receive the recognition it sought.
Warren’s first Oscar nomination dates back to 1987 for the song “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” Since then, she has been nominated numerous times, including a remarkable eight consecutive nominations between 2018 and 2025. Despite her prolific songwriting career, she has yet to secure a competitive Oscar, although she was honored with an honorary Oscar in 2022.
This year, the Oscar for Best Original Song was awarded to Ejae, Ido, and Teddy Park for their song “Golden.” Warren’s “Dear Me,” written for her documentary “Diane Warren: Relentless,” was not performed live at the ceremony, as the Academy decided that only two of the five nominated songs would be showcased.
Warren expressed her disappointment regarding Kesha’s absence from the live performance, stating, “It would have been nice had (Kesha) been able to perform the song.” She elaborated on the inspiration behind “Dear Me,” saying, “I wanted to talk to the young girl that was bullied and made fun of and told I wasn’t good enough my whole life.”
Despite the setbacks, Warren’s resilience in the face of repeated losses has become a notable aspect of her career. Her 17 nominations without a win have surpassed the previous record held by sound mixer Greg P Russell.
As observers reflect on Warren’s ongoing journey, the sentiment remains that her contributions to music and film are significant, even if the Academy has yet to formally recognize her achievements in the competitive category. Details remain unconfirmed about whether Warren will continue to pursue future nominations or if she will shift her focus to other projects.
