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.
