Various Artists News

(3/23/00, 3 p.m. ET) - 'N Sync will perform a minute-and-a-half version of its Oscar-nominated, Diane Warren-penned single "Music Of My Heart" with Gloria Estefan at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards on Sunday (March 26).

"Music Of My Heart," from the film of the same name starring Meryl Streep, is nominated for original song along with "You'll Be in My Heart" by Phil Collins from the animated film Tarzan; "When She Loved Me" by Randy Newman from the computer-animated film Toy Story 2; "Save Me" by Aimee Mann from Magnolia; and "Blame Canada" by Trey Parker and Marc Shaiman from the animated film South Park: Bigger, Longer And Uncut.

'N Sync member Lance Bass tells LAUNCH that the group is excited to attend an awards show that they would normally be at home watching on television. "Well we're first of all very excited to be nominated for an Oscar," he says. "And our career, especially as musicians, you never imagined that happening. But it's amazing. It's one of those things where musicians always dream about going to the Oscars because they're never invited. And actors always dream about going to Grammys because they're never invited. So it's going to be great. And we love performing with Gloria Estefan. And she's great. And every time we go on stage, you know, there's always this magical moment that happens. So we're very excited. And just the audience we get to perform for is going to be great."

Estefan tells LAUNCH that the song has special meaning to her because it was written by her good friend and performed with 'N Sync. "They're really great guys and it's nice," she says of 'N Sync. "It's obviously a song that is close to my heart because of the movie. It's my debut movie and a good friend of mine wrote it, Diane Warren, who it was inspired by a teacher that was instrumental in her life and career, so it all comes from a good place."

Bass explains to LAUNCH that it was Estefan who reached out to 'N Sync. "What happened was, Music Of My Heart was coming out as a movie," he says. "And Gloria was in the movie. And she was looking for someone to do the duet theme song with. So she gave us a call. And we knew Diane Warren also. And Diane Warren and David Foster wrote and produced the track."

Bass adds that 'N Sync recorded its part of the song before meeting Estefan. "We went and we actually recorded the song with them before we even met Gloria," Bass says. "We met her first when we had the performance and did the video. It was a great opportunity because we knew if we did something with a legend like Gloria Estefan, that it would kind of broaden our markets to an older audience, to show people in the Latin market and the older guys, what we can do. And I think we did get a lot more respect from that song.""Music Of My Heart" marks the fifth Academy Award nomination for Warren, who was previously nominated for her original songs appearing in films such as Armageddon (1998), Con Air (1997), Up Close And Personal (1996) andMannequin (1987).

The 72nd Annual Academy Awards airs on ABC television at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Sunday (March 26).

-- Jason Gelman, New York

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