Entertainment
Billie Eilish and Finneas Win Oscar for Best Original Song, Breaking Records
Los Angeles (AP) – At the 2024 Academy Awards, the talented sibling duo Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell made history by winning the Oscar for best original song with their poignant ballad “What Was I Made For?”
The achievement marked Billie Eilish, at the age of 22, as the youngest artist to clinch two career Oscars, overtaking the former record-holder Luise Rainer who won her second best actress Oscar at 28 in 1938.
Competing against renowned names like Beyoncé, Van Morrison, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Diane Warren, the duo secured their first Oscar in 2021 for the James Bond theme song “No Time to Die.”
Hilary Swank and Jodie Foster are the only other artists to have won two Oscars before the age of 30, further highlighting Eilish and Finneas’ exceptional talent at a young age.
In her acceptance speech, Eilish expressed gratitude to her team, parents, and close friends, reflecting on the emotional impact of the song and movie on the audience.
Their winning song, “What Was I Made For?”, bested other impressive contenders such as Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson‘s “I’m Just Ken,” Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson‘s “It Never Went Away,” Diane Warren’s “The Fire Inside,” and Scott George’s “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People).”
Eilish and O’Connell have a remarkable track record, with their previous successes including the James Bond theme song and a performance at a past Academy Awards in memoriam segment.
In a recent streak of victories, their song has also won awards like the Grammy for best original song and more, solidifying their prowess in creating music for films.
Notably, Eilish’s touching performance at the Oscars further cemented the emotional depth of “What Was I Made For?” from Greta Gerwig‘s film “Barbie.”
Another standout musician at the awards, Ludwig Göransson, clinched the Oscar for original score for his work on “Oppenheimer,” showcasing his exceptional talent and creativity in the music industry.
Göransson pipped esteemed musicians like John Williams and first-time nominees Jerskin Fendrix, Laura Karpman, and the late Robbie Robertson to secure his well-deserved win.
With their notable contributions to the music industry and film world, Billie Eilish and Finneas, along with other talented artists, continue to leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
