Robbie Williams’ song “Forbidden Road,” written specifically for the biopic Better Be: The Story of Robbie Williams, had initially earned the 50-year-old British pop singer a nomination for a Golden Globe. The song had even made it to the shortlist of contenders for the Oscar for Best Original Song. However, it was recently revealed that the Academy has disqualified “Forbidden Road” from the list of nominees. According to Variety, music professionals recognized familiar motifs from the 1973 film The Last American Hero in the composition. Williams was accused of plagiarism, leading to the song’s removal from the race for Best Original Song.
The Academy’s decision follows its rules and upholds the integrity of the “Original Song” and “Original Score” categories, as stated to members of the music branch.
Better Be is a new film about Robbie Williams’ life. The artist himself calls it “the strangest musical biopic ever made.” Director and co-writer Michael Gracey, who worked on the film alongside Williams, describes it as a blend of traditional biographical storytelling, a musical machine, a cozy drama, and a brutal dissection of the path to fame. Interestingly, the lead role in the film is played by a CGI monkey.
