The Best Supporting Actress category is one of the most competitive races of the year with two actresses leading the race. This year the line up is made up of two previous winners and three first time nominees. Previous winners in this category include Anne Hathaway for "Les Miserables," Octavia Spencer for "The Help," and "Melissa Leo for "The Fighter."
Sally Hawkins, "Blue Jasmine" - Hawkins scored her first nomination for her role in the Woody Allen film. The nomination came as a surprise as many pundits believed Oprah Winfrey would be nominated over Hawkins. However, Hawkins had the upper hand on Oprah as she was nominated for the Golden Globe and British Academy Awards. Hawkins has not won a single precursor award and considering Cate Blanchett, her co-star, is getting all the love, it is unlikely Hawkins will have a chance at this award.
Jennifer Lawrence, "American Hustle" - The nomination for the Davd O. Russell film marks the third nomination for Lawrence. At 23, she is the youngest actress to ever score three nominations at the Oscars. Additionally, Lawrence is already a winner as she took home the Best Actress for "Silver Linings Playbook" in 2013. Lawrence is regarded as a front-runner as she has won 11 precursor awards including the Golden Globe. However, she failed to take home the Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice award, changing the race. While she can still win the BAFTA, it is unlikely that the Academy will give her awards two years in a row.
Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave" - Nyong'o is receiving her first nomination for her first on screen performance. The actress has had an amazing awards season winning 20 precursor accolades including the SAG and Critics Choice awards. Nyong'o is expected to win the Oscar but if she fails to take the BAFTA award, the race could change. However, with the "12 Years a Slave" being the front-runner to win the Best Picture Award, Nyong'o is sure to win.
Julia Roberts, "August: Osage County" - Roberts received her fourth nomination at for an Academy Award. The actress has previously won for "Erin Brockovich" for Best Actress. The nomination for "August" marks Roberts' first mention in 14 years and while she was nominated for SAG, BAFTA, Critics Choice and the Golden Globe, Roberts has not won a single precursor award. As a result, she will go home empty handed.
June Squibb, "Nebraska" - Squibb received her first nomination for an Academy Award for role in the Alexander Payne drama. The actress was once thought of as a front-runner for the award but her failure to capture awards in the precursor stages slowed down her campaign. The actress only one won the Boston Film Critics and even failed to get nominated at the BAFTA awards. It is unlikely Squibb will win unless the Academy decides to give "Nebraska" Best Picture.
Predictions: Nyong'o should easily take the award. However, if "American Hustle" is the Academy's choice for Best Picture, Lawrence will win.
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