Justin Bieber's 'Karate Kid' Song Is Eligible For An Oscar

'Never Say Never' joins tunes by Gwyneth Paltrow, Christina Aguilera in the running for Original Song category.
By James Montgomery


Justin Bieber
Photo: Robyn Beck/ AFP/ Getty Images

Earlier this year, Justin Bieber set tweenage hearts aflutter when he teamed with Jaden Smith to record "Never Say Never," the theme to Smith's "Karate Kid" reboot. And now, he's hoping to do the same for Oscar voters.

Earlier this week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — the governing body of the Academy Awards — released its list of the 41 songs eligible for the Original Song category at the 83rd annual awards, and Bieber made the cut.

"Never Say Never" is in the running against the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow's "Coming Home" and "Me and Tennessee" (both from her upcoming "Country Strong" film) and a trio of songs from Christina Aguilera's "Burlesque." Though Bieber made the eligibility list, the tune's nomination is no surefire bet: Movie clips featuring each song will be screened for voting members of the Academy's Music Branch on January 6, and it will be up to them to select the field of nominees.

Nominations will be announced on January 25 at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

According to the Academy, in order for a work to be deemed eligible for the Original Song category, it must "consist of words and music, both of which are original and written specifically for the film," and "a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition of both lyric and melody must be used in the body of the film, or as the first music cue in the end credits." Bieber and Smith's song is played over the end credits of "The Karate Kid."

The 83rd Academy Awards will be broadcast live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, February 27.

Check out everything we've got on "The Karate Kid."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Related Photos Related Artists

Camilla Belle Gabrielle Union Kelly Hu Rhona Mitra

Topher Grace Says Depiction Of Drug Use Was Culprit In 'Take Me Home Tonight' Release Delay

An '80s-set comedy starring Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler, Teresa Palmer, Chris Pratt and Michelle Trachtenberg sounds like a cinematic slam dunk. Sure, it's not going to put up "Avatar" numbers at the box office, but there's definitely an audience willing to dole out good money to see that young, hip cast party like [...]

Kim Kardashian Samantha Mathis Laetitia Casta Karen Carreno

A Double Rainbow In Los Angeles, Christmas Caroling And Kevin Smith's 'Red State' In Today's Twitter-Wood

Twitter-Wood experienced a small Christmas miracle today as an outpouring of photography and song revealed that a double rainbow can still grab more attention than Lindsay Lohan in our feed. There were enough posts to fill a special-edition TW coffee-table book with images from those who saw it... and laments from those were out of [...]

Rozonda Thomas Lacey Chabert Taylor Swift Cameron Diaz

Source: Scarlett Johansson Broke Ryan Reynolds' Heart

Source: Scarlett Johansson Broke Ryan Reynolds' Heart

We've already heard that Ryan Reynolds tried to fix his marriage to Scarlett Johansson before they decided to go their separate ways. But now sources close to the actor say that Johansson didn't give Reynolds too much to work with, and that the actor was open about their problems on the set of The Green Lantern.

A source on the movie set said that the 34-year-old star "would say that she treated him badly. It never seemed like she made him a priority."

Now Reynolds is said to be heartbroken by the split, with friends calling him "beyond sad and depressed." Meanwhile, his estranged wife seems to be carrying on just fine. Johansson, 26, recently returned from a girls' trip to Jamaica and sources close to the star told UsMagazine.com that she "was disconnected and disaffected" by the split. "It was harsh."

Do you think Scarlett Johansson is at fault for the breakup? Chime in below!

Monika Kramlik Yamila Diaz Drea de Matteo Janet Jackson

MSNBC Commentator Rachael Maddow Gives Props to Florida Death Metal

When political commentators mention extreme metal on the air it's usually in reference to something tragic like a school shooting, church burning or suicide pact. But when MSNBC liberal correspondent Rachael Maddow invoked the names of Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under, Obituary, Death and Deicide it was mostly to take a stab at Republicans, not [...]

Ana Paula Lemes Lauren Conrad Ashley Tisdale Georgina Grenville