As we know, “Dream Girl” from Cinderella is one of 15 songs on the Academy Awards “Best Original Song” shortlist! Idina Menzel and her co-writer, Laura Veltz, participated in a Gold Derby roundtable featuring songwriters on the Academy Awards “Best Original Song” shortlist last night! First they had a solo Q&A moderated by Rob Licuria and then they participated in a group conversation at the end. Other featured songwriters were: Ron Mael and Russell Mael (‘Annette’), Nicholai Baxter (‘CODA’), Taura Stinson (‘Don’t Look Up’), Diane Warren (‘Four Good Days’) and Jamie Hartman (‘Respect’).
The Academy Awards announced the shortlists for the upcoming 2022 ceremony, including Best Original Song, and Idina Menzel’s “Dream Girl” is on the list! You may recall that Idina wrote the song with Laura Veltz, so if the song is nominated, she will officially be an Oscar nominee! And if the song wins, she would be halfway towards an EGOT!
Idina tweeted: Thanks @KayKayCannon for giving @lauraveltz and me this incredible opportunity! We are so excited and honored to be on such a friggin awesome list. #Oscars #DreamGirl #CinderellaMovie
Here are the 15 original songs shortlisted from the 84 eligible:
“So May We Start?” from Annette “Down To Joy” from Belfast “Right Where I Belong” from Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road “Automatic Woman” from Bruised “Dream Girl” from Cinderella “Beyond The Shore” from CODA “The Anonymous Ones” from Dear Evan Hansen “Just Look Up” from Don’t Look Up “Dos Oruguitas” from Encanto “Somehow You Do” from Four Good Days “Guns Go Bang” from The Harder They Fall “Be Alive” from King Richard “No Time To Die” from No Time to Die “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” from Respect “Your Song Saved My Life” from Sing 2
Idina and Laura spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about their collaboration in this week’s issue:
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Final voting will begin on January 27 and the final nominations will be announced on February 8, so cross your fingers! The show is set to air on March 27 on ABC.
Cinderella promo is gearing up ahead of its release on September 3! It will be released on Amazon Prime and in select theaters. The soundtrack will also be available on Friday and is available for pre-order now.
Idina Menzel worked on the press junket with Camila Cabello over the weekend and interviews are already being posted! I’ve created a Youtube playlist to make it easier to keep track of interviews but I am also posting links on Twitter as I come across them. Idina also made a special appearance on Camila’s TikTok.
Idina, Camilla, Billy Porter and James Corden also filmed Crosswalk the Musical in Los Angeles on Friday. An air date has not been announced yet, but stay tuned. Photos are in the gallery:
As if that weren’t enough, would it be an Idina Oscars without a viral moment? Idina’s face while Eminem performed “Lose Yourself” launched memes and articles, but this is my personal favorite.
Utkarsh Ambudkar also mentioned Idina in a rap and her reaction was priceless:
Idina Menzel has continued to promote her various projects ahead of the holidays! Her promotional focus shifted mainly to Christmas: A Season of Love with various performances as well as her new movie, Uncut Gems. Some highlights:
