Billie Eilish's Memorable Journey to Winning Best Original Song at the 2024 Oscars

Billie Eilish Had a Nightmare Before 2024 Oscars Best Original Song Win

Finneas O’Connell and Billie Eilish PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell made history at the 2024 Oscars on Sunday, March 10. Their song “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie won the award for Best Original Song, making them the youngest-ever winners of two Academy Awards.

During the ceremony, Eilish, 22, appeared on stage with her brother, who had previously won Best Original Song in 2022 for No Time to Die. She candidly shared that she had a nightmare about being on stage the night before.

Eilish expressed her gratitude to The Academy, stating that she was completely surprised and honored by the recognition. She felt incredibly lucky and thankful for the award. She also thanked Greta Gerwig and expressed her love for her. Eilish mentioned her appreciation for the song and the movie, dedicating her thanks to everyone impacted by the film. She extended her gratitude to her team, parents, best friend, and choir teachers, including one who initially didn't like her. Finally, she left the stage after acknowledging them.

The category's other nominees included: "I'm Just Ken" by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, "Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)" by Scott George from Killers of the Flower Moon, "It Never Went Away" by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson from American Symphony, and "The Fire Inside" by Diane Warren from Flamin' Hot.

Most of the songwriters behind the music were already familiar to the Academy, as they had previously won Oscars. Ronson and Wyatt won Best Original Song for "Shallow" from A Star Is Born in 2019, while Eilish and O'Connell took home the award in 2022 for "No Time to Die" from the James Bond film of the same name. Batiste won Best Original Score for Soul in 2021. Warren, on the other hand, has been nominated for Best Original Song 15 times in her career.

Before the Oscars, Eilish and O’Connell’s song "What Was I Made For?" was a big hit during awards season. They even won the Best Original Song - Motion Picture award at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards in January. They beat out tough competition like Barbie’s “I’m Just Ken”, Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night”, She Came to Me’s “Addicted to Romance”, Rustin’s “Road to Freedom” and The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s “Peaches.”

Billie Eilish Had a Nightmare Before 2024 Oscars Best Original Song Win 2

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell won a Golden Globe for their songwriting. During her acceptance speech, Eilish talked about how the process of writing the hit song for the Barbie movie helped her during a difficult time. She mentioned that she was feeling very unhappy and down when they were working on the song, but writing it actually made her feel a bit better. Now, a year later, she expressed her gratitude and disbelief at how far they have come. Eilish feels incredibly fortunate and thankful for where they are now.

At the 2024 Grammy Awards, "What Was I Made For?" by Eilish was awarded Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media. She admitted that she never expected to win Song of the Year, especially when she was up against artists like Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, and Jon Batiste.

During her acceptance speech, Eilish expressed her admiration for her fellow nominees, acknowledging them as incredible artists with amazing music. She was overwhelmed with shock and gratitude, exclaiming, "I feel crazy right now. Damn, dude. I am shocked out of my balls."

Editor's P/S:

Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell's historic win at the 2024 Oscars is a testament to their exceptional talent and the power of sibling collaboration. Their song "What Was I Made For?" from Barbie showcases their ability to craft emotive and memorable melodies that resonate with audiences. The song's success during awards season, including wins at the Golden Globes and Grammys, further solidifies their status as rising stars in the entertainment industry.

Beyond their musical achievements, Eilish's candid sharing of her personal struggles during her acceptance speeches adds a layer of authenticity and vulnerability to her artistry. Her journey from feeling unhappy and down to finding solace in songwriting inspires others to seek creative outlets as a means of coping with life's challenges. Eilish's genuine gratitude and appreciation for the recognition she and her brother have received demonstrate their humility and the importance they place on the collaborative nature of their work. further underscores their authenticity and relatability.