Diane Warren’s 16th Oscar Loss: ‘I’m The Terminator Of The Oscars, I’ll Be Back’

March 4, 2025: Songwriter Diane Warren, renowned for her contributions to the music industry, faced another setback at the 97th Academy Awards when her song Journey lost out to El Mal from Emilia Perez for the coveted Best Original Song award. This marks her 16th Oscar loss, yet Warren remains undeterred.

Despite the disappointment, Warren’s spirits were high. In a candid conversation with Variety, she shared her resilience, saying, “I’m consistent as f**k… You know, it is what it is. I’m happy to be here.” Reflecting on her consistent nominations without wins, she humorously added, “I’m the Terminator of the Oscars — I’ll be back. That’s in my Arnold Schwarzenegger voice. I’m coming back. You can’t get rid of me.”

Warren emphasized that this loss wouldn’t slow her down. “I thought I had a chance this time. It didn’t go that way, but I’m still here,” she said, vowing to get back to work the very next day. Her determination echoes the sentiment that the journey isn’t over for the celebrated songwriter, who was honored with an honorary Oscar by Cher at the Governors Awards in 2022.

At the 2025 Oscars, Anora claimed the most prestigious honors of the night, winning five awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Meanwhile, Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his portrayal in The Brutalist, overcoming tough competition from other nominees like Timothee Chalamet and Sebastian Stan.

Another notable achievement was I’m Still Here by Walter Salles, which took home the Best International Feature Film Oscar, marking the first time a Brazilian film won in this category.

Despite the loss, Warren’s unwavering resolve and commitment to her craft ensure that we haven’t seen the last of her at the Oscars.