2026 Oscars: Performances and Historic Night for Diane Warren

The 98th Academy Awards, held on March 15, 2026, featured performances of only two nominated original songs, a departure from past ceremonies. The evening too marked a historic moment for songwriter Diane Warren, who received her 17th Oscar nomination without a win, setting a new record.

Limited Performances on Oscar Night

Producers opted to focus performances on just two songs to maintain the show’s rhythm, particularly with the addition of a new Best Casting category. “Train Dreams” by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner, “Dear Me” by Diane Warren, and “Sweet Dreams of Joy” by Nicholas Pike were not performed live during the broadcast.

“Golden” and “I Lied to You” Take the Stage

The K-pop group HUNTR/x, consisting of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, opened the musical portion of the evening with a performance of “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters. The performance incorporated traditional Korean instruments and folk dances, celebrating the film’s cultural roots. The song had already won a Grammy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Award.

Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq performed “I Lied to You” from Sinners, accompanied by a notable ensemble including Misty Copeland, Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Bobby Rush, Shaboozey, Alice Smith, and actors Jayme Lawson and Li Jun Li. Josh Groban and the Los Angeles Master Chorale also contributed to the musical program.

Diane Warren’s Record-Breaking Nomination

Diane Warren’s nomination for “Dear Me,” a ballad performed by Kesha from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, extended her record as the most nominated person to never win an Oscar. She surpassed sound mixer Greg P. Russell, who had 16 nominations after one was rescinded due to campaigning rule violations.

Other Nominees

The other nominees in the Best Original Song category were Nicholas Pike’s “Sweet Dreams Of Joy” from Viva Verdi! (performed by Ana María Martinez), and Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson’s “I Lied To You” from Sinners (performed by Miles Caton).

Warren’s Legacy

Despite never winning a competitive Oscar, Diane Warren has received an honorary award from the Academy in 2022. She is a legendary songwriter with nine #1 hits on the Hot 100, including Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”