Academy Awards 2014 Best Supporting Actress nominees predictions: 2nd ROUND

1. Lupita Nyong'o for 12 Years a Slave

Born: unknown

Previous Oscar recognition in acting: none

Oscar snubed performance(s): none

COMMENT: The unknown actress who gives an outstanding performance in one of the early favorites in the Best Picture race, Lupita Nyong'o benefits from the fact the AMPAS loves to recognize amazing acting debuts from young actresses. She delivers an hauting performance in Steve McQueen's latest and even if the movie doesn't take home the Best Picture or Best Director prize, I believe Lupita can actually win Best Supporting Actress (people say Oprah will win, but she already has an honorary Oscar at home, so, maybe there's no need to give her another one). One of the best performances I've seen this year so far, Miss Nyong'o is a big promise and all the buzz around her is due to her performance itself and not because of her celebrity status (since she's not a celebrity at all).

2. Oprah Winfrey for Lee Daniel's The Butler

Born: January 29, 1954 - Kosciusko, Mississippi, USA

Previous Oscar recognition in acting: 1986 - Best Supporting Actress for The Color Purple (nom)

Oscar snubed performance(s): none

COMMENT: One of the most powerful women in the world, Oprah is outstanding in Lee Daniel's The Butler, but there's no way to deny all the buzz around her performance (and all the talking about her possible Oscar win) is thanks to her international fame. Reviews are quite generous and the movie was a box-office success and it is under some Best Picture buzz, but having Harvey Weinstein has the man behind her Oscar campaign will be the key factor that will give her a seat between the five Best Supporting Actress nominees. 

3. Jennifer Lawrence for American Hustle

Born: August 15, 1990 - Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Previous Oscar recognition in acting: 2011 - Best Actress for Winter's Bone (nom); 2013 - Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook (win)

Oscar snubed performance(s): none

COMMENT: The Movie Star of the Moment, Jennifer Lawrence is living the best days of her "young" career, but it seems the face of The Hunger Games franchise and Oscar-winning actress is on her way to her third Oscar nomination for playing a "dynamite wife" in David O. Russell's American Hustle. Reviews came out recently and all them say something in common: Jennifer Lawrence is an outstanding scene-stealer and she's different from her character in Silver Linings Playbook! The AMPAS loves flashy and sassy acting turns, but Lawrence is also a beloved celebrity and (one of) the most promising actress of the new generation, so I don't believe Oscar voters will pass an excuse to give Lawrence a third Oscar nomination, specially for a sexy turn in such a buzzy movie like American Hustle.

4. Julia Roberts for August: Osage County

Born: October 28, 1967 - Smyrna, Georgia, USA

Previous Oscar recognition in acting: 1990 - Best Supporting Actress for Steel Magnolias (nom); 1991 - Best Actress for Pretty Woman (nom); 2001 - Best Actress for Erin Brokovich (win)

Oscar snubed performance(s): 1997 - My Best Friend's Wedding

COMMNET: Julia Roberts is a former America's sweetheart, but her name stills selling tickets and she managed to keep a decent celebrity status, which always pleases the Academy when it's time for a comeback. Away from the Oscar races since 2000/2001 for Erin Brokovich, Julia is back with a raved performance in August: Osage County and she has Harvey Weinstein supporting her! Some critics claimed her performance is better than Meryl Streep's (which is such a big compliment!) and since people seem to miss her, this critically praised turn in a well-received family drama sounds like a nice vehicle for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar race. She's a star and Roberts seems dedicated in promoting the movie, so, things can happen, specially for such a well-known face.

5. Scarlett Johansson for Her

Born: November 22, 1984 - New York City, New York, USA

Previous Oscar recognition in acting: none

Oscar snubed performance(s): 2003 - Lost In Translation; 2003 - Girl With Pearl Earring; 2005 - Match Point

COMMENT: 2013 will be known as the year of Scarlett Johansson's rebirth and it may well turn into the year she makes Oscar history - there's a lot of talking and buzz around her raved voice-only performance in Spike Jonze's Her. Critics describe her performance as "complex", folks say it is her "finest work to date" and since Her is getting recognized by critics associations in key categories like Best Film, Director and Screenplay, so maybe all the love around the movie will help Scarlett Johansson's Oscar hopes. If she gets nominated, she will be the first getting it for a voice performance (and sometimes the AMPAS is open to create a new chapter in its history) and if she's as good as critics say, I don't see any reason against thinking outside the box (radio actors use their voice only and many muted performances got Oscar love in previous years, so why not an Oscar nomianted voice performance?). Maybe I'm dreaming, but I believe it can happen...

6. June Squibb for Nebraska
Born: November 6, 1929 - Vandalia, Illinois, USA
Previous Oscar recognition in acting: none
Oscar snubed performance(s): none

COMMENT: Buzz is strong around Squibb's performance, but Best Supporting Actress race is always the most unpredictable one until Globes, Critics' Choice and SAG Awards come. The love from critics is undeniable and she has already started to collect some awards recognition, so I can't ignore her Oscar chances. Nebraska is getting strong in the Oscar game and Squibb's outstanding performance may well end-up nominated (but the AMPAS doesn't always go for Alexander Payne's actresses).

7. Octavia Spencer for Fruitvale Station
Born: May 25, 1970 - Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Previous Oscar recognition in acting: 2012 - Best Supporting Actress for The Help (win)
Oscar snubed performance(s): none

COMMENT: One of the emotional centers of one of the best independent movies of the year, Octavia Spencer shines in Fruitvale Station in a completely different way compared to her Oscar-winning turn in The Help. She's not sassy or extremely funny in this one, but she's great in a heartfelt performance as a martir mum. NBR recognized her and Fruitvale is getting huge support from independent cinema awards, so Spencer stills playing the Oscar game.

8. Léa Seydoux for Blue Is The Warmest Color
Born: July 1, 1985 - Paris, France
Previous Oscar recognition in acting: none
Oscar snubed performance(s): none

COMMENT: There's something about Léa Seydoux... The AMPAS doesn't go for supporting subtitled performances, but Seydoux is exceptional and as great as her co-star and since Blue Is The Warmest Color is collecting accolates, maybe Oscar voters decide to go for Léa IF they go for Adèle in the Best Actress category. It's a beautiful performance and she's one the most promising young European actress working today.

9. Sally Hawkins for Blue Jasmine
Born: April 27, 1976 - Dulwich, London, England, UK
Previous Oscar recognition in acting: none
Oscar snubed performance(s): 2008 - Happy-Go-Lucky

COMMENT: She's very good in Blue Jasmine and Woody Allen's actresses tend to get recognition in this category, but Cate Blanchett is so potent in Blue Jasmine that everything else kinda pales in comparison. Don't get me wrong, Hawkins is solid and she delivers a awards-worthy performance, but Blue Jasmine is Blanchett's show, so there's a risk of AMPAS members paying enough attention to Hawkin's performance... Will Oscar voters remember how ugly her snub for Happy-Go-Lucky was and apologize her this year with a nod? Well, maybe...