Education Through Music-Los Angeles looks forward to its 20th Year Benefit Gala, as we celebrate Diane Warren (GRAMMY, Emmy, & Golden Globe Award-Winning Songwriter) with the Shining Star Award, an honor given to those whose contributions have positively impacted lives & communities. For Warren, music and songwriting is her purpose. “I just love writing songs. It’s what I do; it’s what gives me life.” 

Feeling first-hand the joy and fulfillment of making music, Warren is proud to support ETM-LA and help further music education for all students. “There is no better way of reaching young hearts and minds than music,” says Warren, “What ETM-LA is doing is making that happen for so many who might never get the chance to experience the beauty and power of music.”

This past November, Cantara Elementary choir students had the opportunity to visit Diane Warren at her studio to sing “Dear Me,” a song Warren wrote as a letter to a younger Diane. Meeting the students was so meaningful to Warren. She shares,“I didn’t realize it was going to really touch me emotionally. Hearing these kids sing “Dear Me” when I wrote it thinking [about] singing it to my younger self that was about their age, and now hearing kids sing that with meaning… I was so surprised that that song really resonated with them with what they’re going through now. I thought it was beautiful to hear that and talk to these kids. It was amazing.”

Warren understands the way music connects and empowers children. She says. “Music is the world’s language; it’s the language that reaches hearts. I think music saved my life; I think music saves my life every day. I think music saves a lot of lives.”

Warren’s unwavering support for music education is deeply valued by ETM-LA and all of the communities who have felt the positive impact of music in their schools. We are proud to honor her generous contributions to our mission, and to work together to keep encouraging joyful, empowered, and well-rounded students. Thank you, Diane, for supporting our mission for music in under-resourced Los Angeles schools.

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Diane Warren’s Complete Bio:

Diane Warren is one of modern music’s most celebrated songwriters. She has penned nine #1 and thirty-three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and is tied for having written the most #1 songs as a sole writer in Billboard history. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001 and received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the organization in June 2024. Her distinguished catalog features beloved songs including “Only Love Can Hurt Like This,” “Un-Break My Heart,” “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “Rhythm of the Night.”

She has received 16 Academy Award nominations, is a GRAMMY winner with 15 nominations, an EMMY winner, and is a two-time Golden Globe winner whose songs have been featured in more than 150 films, including chart-topping hits “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (Mannequin, 1987) “Because You Loved Me” (Up Close and Personal, 1996) “How Do I Live” (Con Air, 1997) “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (Armageddon, 1998 ) and “Til It Happens To You” (The Hunting Ground, 2015). In November 2022, Warren became the first songwriter in history to receive an Honorary Oscar, as voted on by the Academy’s Board of Governors. She recently wrote the original song “The Fire Inside,” performed by Becky G for the film Flamin’ Hot, directed by Eva Longoria, which marked her 15th Oscar nomination. She most recently wrote the original song “The Journey” performed by H.E.R. for the feature film The Six Triple Eight directed by Tyler Perry which marked her 16th Oscar nomination and was released by Netflix in select theaters on December 6, 2024, and on Netflix on December 20, 2024. The documentary Diane Warren: Relentless which provides an intimate, rarely seen look at the life, career, and process of Warren, is in theaters and began streaming exclusively on MasterClass starting January 23, 2025 and released on DVD on May 20, 2025.  The film includes the original song “Dear Me” written by Warren and performed by Kesha.

The New York Pops honored Diane Warren at the orchestra’s 42nd Birthday Gala, Words and Music: Diane Warren, on April 28, 2025 at Carnegie Hall. Guest artists included Shoshana Bean, Sofia Carson, Taylor Dayne, Micaela Diamond, Brandon Victor Dixon, Ariana DeBose, Angélique Kidjo and LeAnn Rimes.

She wrote a new theme song for ABC’s THE VIEW called “This Version ” performed by Leona Lewis, which premiered in September 2024.  This marked the third theme song Warren has written for THE VIEW starting with “World’s Gone Crazy” performed by Mary J. Blige which premiered on the show in September 2016 and then “For My Girls” featuring Brandy and Nicole Scherzinger which debuted in September 2021.

Warren is an executive producer and is writing songs for the upcoming Disney Branded Television music-driven comedy series “Electric Bloom,” which follows three members of the now mega-famous pop group Electric Bloom as they look back and tell the story of their friendship and their band, starting from the day they all met in high school, coming to Disney Channel July 10th and Disney+ September 17th, 2025.

She continues to work with many of today’s most popular acts, including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, H.E.R., Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera, Snoop Dogg, Paloma Faith, Jon Batiste, Maren Morris, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Andra Day, Demi Lovato, LeAnn Rimes, Common, Janelle Monáe, Missy Elliott and Zendaya.  Diane is currently working with a diverse group of artists including Gwen Stefani, Tiwa Savage, Steve Aoki, David Guetta, Kesha and Tems, among others.

During her impressive career, Warren has written for iconic artists such as Whitney Houston, Cher, Aerosmith, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many more.

She is the sole owner of her publishing company Realsongs, the most successful female-owned and operated business in the music industry. Warren is a recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a nod to her legendary career.