BEYONCE KNOWLES: Now, About The Oscar Disqualification

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Beyonce Knowles will not be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the 'Dreamgirls' theme Although the Donald Trump vs. Rosie O'Donnell fiasco dominated the mainstream entertainment news circuit last week --and continues to, now-- a story that peaked above the radar was that Beyonce was shut out of the Oscar race -- before the nominations were even announced.

For the ballad "Listen," which is serving as the unofficial theme for the critically acclaimed movie 'Dreamgirls,' the former Destiny's Child frontwoman won't qualify as a songwriter due to a fairly new Academy rule that limits the number of songwriters who qualify for a nominated song to three, reported 'The Los Angeles Times.'

As the world knows, the much lauded singer/songwriter stars in the lead role of Deena Jones in the Bill Condon-helmed adaptation of the legendary Broadway musical.

And although Beyonce sings her heart and soul out on the triumphant torch song, she is credited as a writer of the track, along with original Broadway scorer Henry Krieger, and Anne Preven and Scott Cutler.

But not according to the Academy. The rules that are in place state that only two people are "normally" given statues in the category. A third can only get a statue if the organization's committee deems them an equal contributor.

Though she's the face and the voice of the track (and a multiple Grammy Award winning songwriter), Beyonce just didn't make the cut.

And if you have her pappy tell it, there are no sour grapes.

"First of all Beyonce is very excited about the song "Listen" being nominated and is grateful to the Academy," Mathew Knowles told The BV Newswire.

"Although Beyonce is a writer on the song and adds life to the song with her vocal production, she is very respectful of the Academy's policies and procedures."

"Would she like to if the song 'Listen' won have the privilege to walk up and receive an Oscar? Who wouldn't! But again whatever decision made by the Academy she very much respects."

Well I guess he told us.

Some industry-ites believe that her being nominated for the song would be the closest she would come to being recognized by the organization -- that remains to be seen. Nominations are to be announced Jan. 23.

She and the other three writers are all nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for 'Listen,' however. She's also nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her stunning role in the movie.

In other Beyonce news, she's reportedly planning to release a spanish-language version of 'B-Day,' which was one of the top selling albums of 2006. "Irreplaceable," the hit song from the hip-pop hodgepodge is still #1 on the 'Billboard' charts after six consectuive weeks. The 'Dreamgirls' soundtrack is the biggest selling album in the country this week. And she was just announced as one of the performers of 'The 49th Annual Grammy Awards,' to take place Feb. 11.

BV Extras:

-- All about the 'Dreamgirls' book bonanza.

-- Original 'Dreamgirl' star Ben Harney puts his own spin on the classic musical.

-- Original 'Dreamgirl' star Jennifer Holliday pulls no punches about her displeasure of the movie adaptation.

-- The Dish, The Dirt & The Divas of 'Dreamgirls," past and present.

-- Original 'Dreamgirl' Jennifer Holliday joined Black 2: Broadway in celebrating the legendary musical during the 2006 Tony Awards season.

-- The infamous YouTube clip of the incomparable Nancy Wilton putting her heart and soul into the musical's signature tune, "And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going."

-- Tony Award winning dynamo Lillias White is the epitome of Broadway bravado during this dramatic scene from the 2001 anniversary concert benefit of 'Dreamgirls.'

-- All about the 'Dreamgirls' 2006 Roadshow.

-- The full details on the new 'Dreamgirls' soundtrack.

-- The original 'Dreamgirls' soundtracks gets revamped.

-- Watch the 'Dreamgirls' movie trailer.