What was Beyoncé’s first Academy Award nomination for?

Beyoncé’s first Academy Award nomination was for Best Original Song.

She received the nomination for “Be Alive,” a song she co-wrote with Dixson for the 2021 film King Richard. The song plays over the film’s end credits and connects the Williams family’s story with themes of legacy, determination, and Black excellence.

King Richard, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, follows Richard Williams as he guides the early careers of his daughters Venus and Serena Williams. The film’s title refers to their father, who developed a detailed plan for their tennis training and professional futures. “Be Alive” was nominated at the 94th Academy Awards in 2022.

The nomination is sometimes confused with Beyoncé’s acting work in Dreamgirls or her music-video achievements at other award ceremonies. The Academy recognition was specifically for songwriting, and the nominated work was “Be Alive,” not a performance category or an acting role.