The 10 Hottest Oscar Nominees of 2012: Who Should Win on Sunday?
The biggest award show of the year is just a few days away... are you ready?
Well, we certainly are! We have cleared our Sunday, stocked up on popcorn and have filled out our 2012 Oscars Ballot. All we have to do now is watch and see who of the following sexy nominees will go home with glory, and who will need a shoulder to cry on (possibly ours?).
1. Viola Davis, Best Actress Nominee
Actress Viola Davis is the front-runner for Best Actress after taking home the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Leading Role for The Help.
Although the beautiful leading lady (and new mom!) already feels like a winner at home with her adopted daughter, Genesis, Davis does admit that her role in The Help has changed her life for the better.
"I kind of found my own voice. I've suffered from years of low self-esteem, shyness and now I really feel like now is a time to step into all of who I am. You know, more so than ever," she told CBS News recently. Related: "You Is Kind, You Is Smart, You Is Important!" [EXPERT]
2. Michelle Williams, Best Actress Nominee
Halfway through My Week With Marilyn, we honestly forgot it was Michelle Williams portraying Marilyn Monroe and not the real icon-Michelle was just that good. She brought back the sexy Monroe wiggle she perfected to accept the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedic Motion Picture.
If she doesn't go home with the Oscar, at least the experience of portraying Marilyn made her not "as shy or nervous or self-conscious." Related: 3 Reasons Why We Love Michelle Williams As Marilyn Monroe
3. Rooney Mara, Best Actress Nominee
Everyone was buzzing over newcomer Rooney Mara's breakout performance opposite Daniel Craig in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Despite no wins, Mara has been a heavy presence during this award season with her multiple nominations. Plus, she's also captured the attention of the fashion community for her unique style.
Besides competing against Viola Davis and Michelle Williams, the Best Actress category also includes The Iron Lady's Meryl Streep and Albert Nobbs' Glenn Close.
4. Berenice Bejo, Best Supporting Actress Nominee
French actress Berenice Bejo and her husband, director Michel Hazanavicius, were thrilled to accept the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for The Artist last month. The silent movie is definitely huge competition at the Oscars, as it's nominated in 10 different categories, including Bejo's nom for Best Supporting Actress. The 35-year-old, Buenos Aires-born beauty has two children with her hubby who they will surely be bringing at least one gold statue home to!
5. Jessica Chastain, Best Supporting Actress Nominee
Another stunner from The Help, Jessica Chastain is up for Best Supporting Actress. A star on the rise, Chastain was awarded the Spotlight Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival earlier this season.
Surrounded by such A-list stars as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Chastain told reporters at the festival, "I'm feeling a little out of body. This is the culmination of a life's dream. I cannot believe the people I'm in the company of."
Better get used to it, sweetheart, because the Oscars is the cream of the crop! Chastain's competition besides Berenice Bejo includes Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs) and front-runner Octavia Spencer (The Help).
6. George Clooney, Best Actor & Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay Nominee
The 51-year-old silver fox has been nominated for 7 Oscars throughout his career, including the two he's up for in 2012: Best Actor for his role in The Descendants and Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay for The Ides Of March. Clooney's only win was back in 2006 for Best Actor in Syriana. Although, he just nabbed the Golden Globe for Best Actor, so his second golden statue may not be very far behind! Related: Is George Clooney Lonely And "Hollywood Poor"?
7. Brad Pitt, Best Actor & Best Picture Nominee
Uh oh! George Clooney is pitted against his BFF Brad Pitt in the Best Actor category this year, but don't think that's created any tension between the two famous buds.
Pitt recently told the Today show: "It's more fun to have a friend there. No one does it better than George. Give him all the trophies. When you run out, make new ones and give him those, too."
Pitt's role in Moneyball earned him the Best Actor nod, and if the flick wins Best Picture, he'll take another statue home as well. The 48-year-old admits he's just thrilled to even be considered in the biggest awards show of them all. How humble! Related: Girlfriends Of BFFs Brad Pitt & George Clooney Don't Get Along
8. Jean Dujardin, Best Actor Nominee
Jean Dujardin secured the Best Leading Actor award for his role opposite Berenice Bejo in The Artist at the Golden Globes, but will he win the top dog prize on Sunday? We'll have to tune in to find out, but the 39-year-old father of two certainly blew us away in the silent film.
"I discovered that silent film is almost an advantage," he recently said. "You just have to think of the feeling for it to show. No lines pollute it. It doesn't take much - a gaze, an eyelash flutter - for the emotion to be vivid."
9. Demián Bichir, Best Actor Nominee
This is Demián Bichir's very first Oscar nomination, and he owes it all to his performance as an undocumented Mexican gardener and father in A Better Life. A popular actor in his native Mexico, you may recognize Bichir, 48, from his recurring role on Weeds or Che: Part One and Che: Part Two, in which he portrayed Fidel Castro. His nom may be a surprise to film buffs (What, no Leo? Michael Fassbender?), but those who have seen Bichir's flick can attest to his talent.
Besides Clooney, Pitt and Dujardin, the Best Actor category also includes Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
10. Jonah Hill, Best Supporting Actor Nominee
My, oh my, has Jonah Hill come a long way from his Superbad days. With a slimmer waist and a larger grin, the 28-year-old funnyman gained major credit for his impressive role in Moneyball opposite Brad Pitt.
He recently told Oprah of the prospect of winning: "You don't really think about it, because you don't want to get your head in that space of being disappointed or happy if it does or doesn't work out."
Hill's stiff competition includes Kenneth Branagh in My Week with Marilyn, Nick Nolte in Warrior, Christopher Plummer in Beginners and Max von Sydow in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Here's hoping you walk away happy, Jonah!
Tell us: who will you be rooting for on Sunday night?
Written by Faye Brennan for YourTango.com.
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