The Oscars are undoubtedly a historic night that celebrates cinema and the immense contributions of filmmakers to the industry. It is a stage that has witnessed some of the most iconic wins. Yet, alongside those wins come heartbreaking near-misses. Sound mixer Greg P. Russell knows that feeling all too well. Over the years, Russell came painfully close to winning the coveted golden statuette 16 times, only to walk away empty-handed each time. 

This year, however, this record of the longest Oscars losing streak is held by another nominee who has surprisingly surpassed Russell’s record.

Songwriter Diane Warren’s loss this year has extended her Oscars losing streak to 17, surpassing the long-standing record previously associated with sound mixer Greg P. Russell. Warren was nominated in the Best Original Song category for 'Dear Me' from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, a film inspired by her life. The song, performed by Kesha, competed against 'Golden' from KPop Demon Hunters. 

  Ultimately, the famous 'Golden' took home the Oscar, with songwriters IDO and Teddy Park winning the award. Warren first received an Oscar nomination over three decades ago in 1987 for 'Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now' from the film Mannequin. Her ninth nomination arrived in 2018 for 'I’ll Fight' from the documentary RBG. 

Since then, she has earned seven more consecutive nominations, though the Oscar win has continued to elude her. In recognition of her remarkable contributions to music, Warren was honored with an Honorary Oscar at the 13th Governors Awards in 2022. While the heartbreaking losses have continued to mount, Warren’s consistent nominations show the impact she has in the industry.

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Regardless of the snub, her brilliant career is chronicled in the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, which is worth a watch.

Diane Warren: Relentless is a 1-hour and 30-minute documentary that explores the life and career of legendary songwriter Diane Warren. Directed by Bess Kargman, the film follows Warren’s creative journey, from her humble beginnings to becoming one of the most legendary songwriters in the music industry. Though Warren is known for being a largely private person, the documentary gives rare glimpses into her life, including her famously cluttered desk.

Clive Davis, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Hudson, and Cher also appear in the movie. The documentary is available to rent on platforms like Amazon and Apple TV. While several of Warren’s iconic songs, such as 'If I Could Turn Back Time' by Cher and 'Rhythm of the Night' by DeBarge, never won, her impact is massive even without an Oscar win. 

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What do you think about Diane Warren's bizarre record? Share your thoughts in the comments.