Left: The Weeknd, photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images. Middle: David Byrne, photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images. Right: Taylor Swift, photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has invited 398 new members to join its voting pool. Among this number are The Weeknd, David Byrne, and Taylor Swift, all of whom contributed to tracks made the shortlist for last year’s Best Original Song Oscar. Byrne was ultimately nominated for “This Is a Life,” a collaboration with Son Lux and Mitski from Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once. M.M. Keeravani and Chandrabose — who penned the 2023 Oscars’ Best Original Song winner, RRR’s “Naatu Naatu,” have also been asked to join the Academy’s ranks. If they choose to do so, they’ll follow in the footsteps of Billie Eilish and Finneas, who were invited after winning Best Original Song at the 2022 Oscars for their Bond theme, “No Time to Die.”
“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang wrote in a press statement announcing this year’s full list of invitees. “They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide.”
