Oscars 2014: Disney's 'Frozen' Wins Best Original Song by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez
Not every married couple can work together, but for husband-and-wife songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, they have found the right formula.
The talented couple's song, "Let It Go" from Walt Disney Pictures' animated musical Frozen, won them an Oscar for Best Original Song, and Robert Lopez, 39, made history as the youngest person to join the stellar group of 'EGOT' (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award) winners, joining the legendary Puerto Rican actress and singer, Rita Moreno.
"Let It Go," sung by Broadway favorite, Idina Menzel, bested notable contenders, U2, Pharrell Williams and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
The Anderson-Lopez and Lopez duo's heartfelt tune is the showcase song in Frozen. It arrives early in the film, scoring the moment when Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel) has run from her kingdom to lock herself away in a palatial ice palace, The Los Angeles Times reports.
Frozen was the second Disney feature film for the couple, who also helped write the music for 2011's Winnie the Pooh.
Robert Lopez became the 12th person ever to win an EGOT, according to The Washington Post. He joins the ranks of Richard Rodgers, Helen Hayes, Rita Moreno, John Gielgud, Audrey Hepburn, Marvin Hamlisch, Jonathan Tunick, Mel Brooks, Mike Nichols, Whoopi Goldberg and Scott Rudin, all of whom won their awards in competitive categories.
His 'EGOT' win includes:
E: Best Music Direction and Composition, The Wonder Pets, 2008 (Daytime Emmy)
G: Best Musical Theater Album - The Book of Mormon, 2012
O: Best Original Song - "Let It Go" from "Frozen," 2014
T: Best Original Score - Avenue Q, 2004
Moreno;s in the 'EGOT' win includes:
E: Best Supporting Actress in Variety or Music - The Muppet Show, 1977
G: Best Recording for Children - The Electric Company, 1972
O: Best Supporting Actress - West Side Story, 1961
T: Best Supporting Actress in a Play - The Ritz, 1975
"Let It Go" gave top contenders a surprising run for their money for what many considered it to be a favorite "rather than a competitive Oscar song race." Disney songs haven't disappointed in the past -- this marks the third win in the Best Original Song category in the past four years.
Before the Academy Awards were underway, the soundtrack to Frozen had logged five non-consecutive weeks atop the U.S. pop charts, the most for any soundtrack since Titanic in 1998 (home to the Oscar-winning song "My Heart Will Go On").
"In a field that included U2's slow-building anthem 'Ordinary Love' (from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) and Karen's O's quiet and lonesome 'The Moon Song' (from Her), 'Let It Go' was arguably the most traditional song in contention. Yet if it's old-fashioned Disney in sound, it's less so in tone, as 'Let It Go' is the moment a not-so-typical princess discovers the fear and courage of going it alone."
Both Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez gave an adorable acceptance speech and shared their love and wisdom with their children, saying they should never be afraid to be themselves. They also suggested that there be a sequel to Frozen. Given the public's affection for both the film and its soundtrack, chances are there may be a Frozen 2!