Diane Warren Calls Out Rita Ora For Not Supporting 'Grateful
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Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, "Beyond the Lights" was one of the year's most underseen gems. Critics raved about the project -- we placed it on the HuffPost Entertainment list of 2014's best movies -- but the film was scuttled away almost as quickly as it came out. Relativity Media, which released "Beyond the Lights," reportedly didn't send out awards screeners. Warren herself had to pay for trade ads promoting her work. ("I said I'm going to bet on myself. I might not have any shot whatsoever, but I will always bet on myself," she said. "I'm good bet.") Even Rita Ora, who sings "Grateful," has largely ignored the song's existence.
"Gina, the director, wanted Rita to do it," Warren said. "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."
Ora will perform "Grateful" at the Oscars on Feb. 22, but beyond a few tweets -- one congratulating Warren for the Oscar nomination -- she's remained largely silent about the track. (Over the last month, her Twitter feed has heavily promoted "Doing It," a collaboration she did with Charli XCX, instead.)
According to Warren, both she and Prince-Bythewood have contacted Ora personally about recording a video for "Grateful." They received no response.
"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," Warren said. "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. How can ... just ... you know?"
A representative for Ora did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The singer, however, did provide a statement to Yahoo! Movies:
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"I'm so thankful to be have been able to participate in a piece of Diane Warren's lyrical genius. I am incredibly 'grateful' that I will have the opportunity to perform at the Oscars thanks to her work, and I'm so glad that I'll be able to share it with a wider audience on February 22."
A representative for Prince-Bythewood was not immediately available for comment.
And while "Grateful" sits as an underdog contender behind favorites like "Glory" from "Selma" and "Everything Is Awesome!!!" from "The LEGO Movie," Warren isn't ready to chalk up another defeat.
"The little teeny song from the little teeny movie. My seventh nomination after losing six times. Who knows?" she said. "It could go all the way. Literally, everything is so against it. All these people are doing videos and going out. You know what? I'm a scrappy little fighter. My song's a scrappy little fighter."
I don't understand why the **** the director thought it would be such a good idea to have Rita to do the song, especially when she's too busy focusing on Doing It (w/ Charli XCX), The Voice UK, building her brand and being a socialite/celebrity.
Even DJ Fresh said that she's too focused on being a celebrity than focusing on her craft and artistry and that Spin (?) article was right that she's living a Popstar lifestyle without the success needed to obtain it.
I like Rita, but she definitely seems more interested in just being a celebrity. She doesn't seem that dedicated to being a singer. I think she just wants to be popular.
