Diane Warren: 17 Nominations, Zero Wins – Still the Unofficial Queen of Pop
You'd be forgiven for thinking the universe has a pretty twisted sense of humour. There she was, Diane Warren, yet again on the stage of the Dolby Theatre, surrounded by all the glitz and glamour, cameras whirring, the tension palpable – and then, in a split second, the disappointment was complete. At 69, she's done it again: set a new record. Just not the one she's been dreaming of for decades.
With her 17th Oscar nomination and no win, she is now the sole record holder for the longest unlucky streak in Academy Awards history. 17 nominations, 17 times walking away empty-handed. In the early hours of March 16, 2026, she had to watch her anthem "The Journey" – brilliantly performed by Kesha – lose out once more. You'd laugh if it weren't so tragic. But anyone who knows Diane Warren knows one thing: crying isn't an option.
'Relentless' is her middle name
The title of her latest documentary couldn't be more fitting. "Diane Warren: Relentless" paints a portrait of a woman who simply refuses to be beaten. The film, currently screening at various festivals, doesn't just show the glamorous moments, but above all the songwriting process, the doubts, the anger – and that unshakeable belief in the power of a good melody. You see a woman who has written the biggest hits for Céline Dion, Whitney Houston and Aerosmith, and who just keeps going after every setback. Relentless. It's not an affectation; it's her life.
And right now, in early 2026, that life is more present than ever. Alongside the Oscar nomination and the doco, there are several projects celebrating her work:
- Diane Warren Presents Love Songs: A brand new compilation bringing together the master's greatest love ballads. The perfect soundtrack for rainy afternoons or those moments when your heart feels heavy.
- Nina Sings the Hits of Diane Warren: British soul queen Nina (Nina Simone? No, the young Brit!) has taken on Warren's catalogue and delivered an interpretation bursting with respect and originality. An album that shows just how timeless these songs are.
- Diane Keaton Memoir: And then there's the thing with the namesake. While Diane Warren was battling it out for the Oscar, Diane Keaton was charming bookstores everywhere with her memoir. Two strong women, two Dianes, both seemingly indestructible in their respective fields.
The grande dame without an Oscar, but with attitude
Sure, the 17th loss hurts. You could see it on her face that night. But talk to her, and you quickly realise: this Oscar isn't what defines her. She's the woman who gave us "Because You Loved Me", who wrote "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", who taught us to cry and hope with "Un-Break My Heart". Her trophy collection at home is already pretty impressive – Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes – but the heart of it all remains the songwriting.
In an interview after the ceremony, she said with that classic Warren cheek: "I've got a record nobody wants. But you know what? I still have 17 nominations! That's not bad for a girl from the San Fernando Valley." It's this exact mix of vulnerability and tough-as-nails, street-fighter mentality that defines her. She's living proof that you can be a legend without the holy Oscar. Maybe that's her legacy: not the trophy, but the relentless attitude. And that's something no one can take away from her – no matter how many times the Academy says "no".