Diane Warren is a living legend in the contemporary music landscape having penned some of the most endearing songs of our time. She shared 10 interesting and fun things about herself.
In her illustrious career as a songwriter, Warren has written nine No. 9 singles and 33 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. She is tied for having written the most No. 1 songs as a sole writer in Billboard history. These solo-penned hits include Paloma Faith's "Only Love Can Hurt Like This," Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart" and Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time."
In 2024, she earned her 15th career Oscar nomination for "The Fire Inside" from the motion picture "Flamin' Hot." She has written songs for such legendary artists as Whitney Houston, Cher, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Aerosmith, and Reba McEntire, among others. Last year, she was bestowed an Honorary Academy Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, thus becoming the first songwriter to achieve this accolade. She was initially inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame back in 2001.
Later on, this year, Warren will receive the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor given by the organization. She will make history as the fourth solo female songwriter to earn this coveted award, where she joins the ranks of Carole King, Dolly Parton, and Carole Bayer Sager.
Honorary Academy Award Recognition
In 2023, she was recognized with an Honorary Academy Award for her “genius, generosity, and passionate commitment to the power of song in film.” “That was awesome,” she exclaimed about her Honorary Oscar, which was presented by Cher.
Diane's Favorite Movies
She listed “Flamin’ Hot” as one of her favorite movies, for which her song “The Fire Inside” has been nominated for her latest 15th Oscar for “Best Original Song”. “One of my favorite movies is ‘Flamin’ Hot’,” she admitted.
Favorite Cheat Meal
Being a vegan, she listed French fries as her favorite cheat meal.
If She Could Have a Superpower.....
Her superpower of choice would be “eternal life.” “I would love to live forever,” she said.
Favorite Hobbies
While she doesn’t watch sports or miniseries, she loves doing music professionally.
When asked about her favorite hobbies, she responded, “My hobby is what I do for a living. I don’t have any other hobbies. I get to do my hobby as a living. Isn’t that cool? I am so lucky.”
Diane's Favorite Music
In the music department, she enjoys music that is “great.” “As long as the music is good, I'm happy,” she said.
Warren's Dream Collaboration Choices in music
On her dream collaboration choices in music, she said, “I get to do these collaborations. I am working with them.”
Favorite Motto to live by
She revealed that her favorite motto to live by is: “Work a little harder, be a little smarter.”
On The Current Stage of her Life
Regarding the title of the current chapter of her life, she said, “I’m just getting started!”
Best thing about Being the Age she is Now
On the best thing about being her age (at this stage of her life), she said, “I don’t think about my age. Age is just a number.”
“I feel like I’m 15, and I act like it most of the time,” she said with a sweet laugh. “My number of Oscar nominations has caught up with my emotional age, so it’s all good.”
Diane Warren's Advice for Hopefuls who Wish to go into Music
For people that wish to go into music and songwriting, she encouraged them to “work hard,” and they need to “have talent.” It is essential to have a hard work ethic, as well as talent and a “little luck” in an effort to make it in the music industry.
To learn more about Diane Warren, follow her on Instagram.
Photo Credit: Erik Melvin