Maori woman's song a favourite to win at Oscars

Publish Date: Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 3:59PM

A chart-topper originally performed by a US woman, who is of Maori descent, in The Greatest Showman will compete with tunes sung by Mary J. Blige, Andra Day, Miguel and Sufjan Stevens for the Academy Award for best song.

This is Me, an emotional high point when sung by cast member Keala Settle in The Greatest Showman, is the immediate favorite. A sweeping song of affirmation with state-of-the-art pop production, it has recently been covered by Kesha. "This is Me" helped the soundtrack vault to No. 1.

Keala Settle is Hawaiian-born but her late mother was a Kiwi and she has strong ties to her Maori roots. The singer's mixed heritage and her struggle to fit in was the inspiration for the hit.

The song recently won best original song at the Golden Globes and on accepting the award, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul - who co-wrote the music and lyrics - thanked Settle personally for bringing their song to life.

"Keala performed the song and her story inspired the song...so we thank you," they said.

If "This Is Me" wins at this year's Academy Awards, it'll be the second Oscar in a row for Pasek and Paul, whose "City of Stars" from "La La Land" is the reigning champ. Pasek and Paul also won a Tony best score for "Dear Evan Hansen."

The Greatest Showman is in New Zealand cinemas now.

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