Fun fact: Before 1935, the award for Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role didn’t exist. Rather all actresses, whether leading or supporting, were lumped together in the ‘Best Actress’ category. This award is one of the highest awards given to actors during the Oscars. Last year Anne Hathaway won for her role as Fatine in ‘Les Miserables’

And the Nominees are:

Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine

Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle  

Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave 

Julia Roberts, August: Osage County 

June Squibb, Nebraska

While first time Oscar nominees Lupita Nyong’o, June Squibb and Sally Hawkins face-off against award heavy weights Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lawrence (Roberts has been nominated four times and Lawrence is just behind her with three including this nomination), the battle for the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ may be more about rising starlets (Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong’O), than long running track records.

Besides being known for their red-carpet sartorial presence, Lawrence and Nyong’o both gave exceptional performances in their respective roles in ‘American Hustle’ and ‘12 Years A Slave’.  Lawrence’s role as Rosalyn; the sass-talking, hilariously fed-up wife of Christian Bale’s character was a comedic treat as we got to watch the young actress let loose, reconfirming Lawrence’s talents for what we love most: comic relief amongst pomp and circumstance, delivered with a stunning and natural ease.

However, critics have voiced strong support for Lupita Nyong’o ‘s supremely important and touching role as Patsey in ‘12 Years A Slave.’ Her role as a slave and the subject of her owners brutal sexual appetites has already earned her the award for Best Supporting Actress by the Screen Actors Guild and at the Critics Choice Award. Lawrence’s role while riveting and comically entertaining does not carry the historical or political weight of Nyong’o’s which always finds favour with the Academy.

When talking Academy standards it is also important to take into consideration the nominees in categories across the board: for a film so well received as ‘12 Years A Slave’ it wouldn’t make sense for it to only win one award (We’re thinking it is a shoe in for Best Picture). It’s also improbable to think that the Academy will overlook such a powerful role as Nyong’o’s or award Lawrence the award in successive years. Based on this Lupita Nyong’o will win.

Who will win:  Lupita Nyong’o , 12 Years a Slave

Who should win:  Lupita Nyong’o , 12 Years a Slave

Who was left out: Isla Fisher, ‘The Great Gatsby’, Scarlett Johansson, ‘Her’, Julianne Moore, ‘Don Jon’ 

– Lauren Schell