Robbie Williams' 'Forbidden Road' Disqualified from Oscars

Robbie Williams' song 'Forbidden Road' from the biopic 'Better Man' has been disqualified from the Best Original Song category at the 2025 Academy Awards due to its incorporation of material from an existing song, 'I Got a Name.' The Academy's music committee determined that the song did not meet eligibility requirements, which mandate that all nominated songs must be entirely original and composed specifically for the film. As a result, the original song shortlist has been reduced to 14 entries without a replacement. Despite this setback, 'Better Man,' which features a unique portrayal of Williams as a computer-generated monkey, is generating buzz ahead of its limited release on December 25, followed by a wider release on January 10. The disqualification serves as a reminder of the Academy's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its awards process. The Oscar nominations are set to be announced on January 17, 2025.