Disqualified: The Academy Rescinds Best Original Song Nomination for 'Alone Yet Not Alone'

In a historic move, the Academy revoked its nomination of the song "Alone Yet Not Alone." The song had been one of five Oscar nominees for Best Original Song, but after reviewing the campaigning tactics of the song's writer, Bruce Bougton, the Academy stripped "Alone Yet Not Alone" of its nomination on Wednesday.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, "The Academy's board of governors met on Tuesday evening to investigate allegations that have been levied against the surprising nominee since Oscar nominations were announced on Jan. 16. The board eventually concluded that the song's nominated writer, Bruce Broughton, a former governor and current music branch executive committee member, 'had emailed [some of the other 239] members of the branch to make them aware of his submission during the nominations voting period,' the Academy said in a statement Wednesday."

The inclusion of "Alone Yet Not Alone" among Best Original Song nominees had surprised many Oscar experts, as the film by the same name had only played in 11 theaters and grossed just $133,546. With "Alone Yet Not Alone" nominated, several other shortlisted songs, including "Doby" from Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and "Young and Beautiful" from The Great Gatsby, missed the cut.

Despite only having four Best Original Song nominees, the Academy will not add a fifth to replace "Alone Yet Not Alone." The remaining nominees are "Happy" from Despicable Me 2, "Let It Go" from Frozen, "The Moon Song" from Her and "Ordinary Love" from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.