Los Angeles: Legendary composer Stephen Schwartz, known for Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin, and rising star Mark Sonnenblick, composer for K-pop hit Demon Hunters, are set to face off at the upcoming Oscars.
At the start of 2025, Schwartz and Sonnenblick shared a mentor-mentee relationship after meeting at the ASCAP Foundational Musical Theatre Workshop, where Schwartz guided Sonnenblick on his work. That bond has now evolved into a friendly rivalry as both vie for top honors.
Both composers are on the Academy Awards shortlist for Best Original Song and have also earned Golden Globe nominations, putting their tracks in direct competition.
Schwartz contributed two original songs for Wicked: “For Good”, Cynthia Erivo’s “No Place Like Home”, and Ariana Grande’s “The Girl in the Bubble”. Sonnenblick co-wrote “Golden”, the breakout hit from Demon Hunters, which has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart for several weeks.
Reflecting on his Golden Globe nominations, Schwartz said he had forgotten about the awards until receiving a congratulatory text from director Jon M. Chu, calling it “a perfect moment.” Sonnenblick has yet to comment publicly on facing his mentor.
The Golden Globe Awards will air on January 11, 2026, while the Oscars premiere live on March 15, 2026.