Diane Warren Is Pissed Rita Ora Hasn’t Promoted Their Oscar-Nominated Song
Don’t fuck with Diane Warren. That important life lesson can be learned by taking a quick look at the songwriter’s withering Twitter timeline. And it turns out she’s just as blunt in interviews. The 58-year-old was questioned about receiving her seventh Oscar nomination for Beyond The Lights ballad “Grateful” and promptly opened fire on Rita Ora, who performs the soaring anthem, for not promoting it.
“Gina [Prince-Bythewood], the director, wanted Rita to do it,” Diane told the Huffington Post. “Had I known there wouldn’t be a lot of support, had I known she would have only tweeted about it once … you know? She sang it great, but it’s a little frustrating.” It turns out that she also contacted the “Black Widow” babe about filming a video but received no reply.
“I have to be really honest, I don’t want to be a jerk or anything, but had I known about this lack of support, there are other artists I’m working with that — if it had been up to me — I would have gone with,” the woman behind mega-hits like “Because You Loved Me” and “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” continued. “She sang it great! But, come on. How on earth are you not wanting to [promote it]… I don’t get it. Everybody around me, we’re all shocked.”
I’m surprised that Rita hasn’t jumped at the chance to plug “Grateful”. She still hasn’t cracked America despite the ongoing support of heavy-hitters like Jay Z and Roc Nation, and isn’t exactly shy about self-promotion. She has, however, agreed to perform it at the Academy Awards on February 22. Things could get a little awkward if they cross paths at the event!
Listen to “Grateful”:
Was Diane right to clock Rita? Have your say in the comments below.
[Via The Huffington Post].
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