We started our coverage for the upcoming Oscars race by breaking down the Best Supporting Actor and Actress race. Today, we look at the Best Actor and Actress race, where two front runners are looking to take home the Oscar trophy. That said, the gap between the first and second is close enough that anyone can still assert themselves in the conversation. Who is in, who could win, and who is in the bubble?
Both the Actor and Actress races feature people who have been nominated for Oscars in the past. We could see history be made in the Actress race while Vegas loves a former winner to take home the Actor trophy.
Best Actor
Timothee Chalamet - A Complete Unknown
Adrien Brody - The Brutalist
Colman Domingo - Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes - Conclave
Jesse Eisenberg - A Real Pain
First two out: Daniel Craig (Queer), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)
Adrien Brody is the current favorite to win his second Academy Award. However, I predict Timothee Chalamet will take home his first Oscar for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Brody is definitely his competition, and he could still win, but Chalamet's performance is mesmerizing, and I see voters loving it as much as I do.
Colman Domingo is in the conversation and shouldn't be overlooked. Many believe his performance in Sing Sing is outstanding, and he will likely win many critics' Best Actor awards over the next month. Chalamet, Brody, Domingo, and Fiennes are my current four locked into nominations. The fifth slot is where things get dicey. A Real Pain is something I see getting love in several categories, and that's where I give Jesse Eisenberg a slight edge over Daniel Craig.
Best Actress
Mikey Madison - Anora
Karla Sofia Gascon - Emilia Perez
Angelina Jolie - Maria
Cynthia Erivo - Wicked
Nicole Kidman - Babygirl
First two out: Fernanda Torres (I'm Still Here), Demi Moore (The Substance)
Vegas's current favorite is Mikey Madison for her performance in Anora. Currently, I don't see anyone overtaking her, as I expect her to take home her first Academy Award. Karla Sofia Gascon can make history, becoming the first openly trans actor to be nominated for an Academy Award. Not only would this be incredible, but it would be well deserved.
The rest of the race is wide open when it comes to nominations. Like her co-star Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo has entered the conversation to get her second nomination for her performance in Wicked. I am leaning toward her being locked into the third slot, with former Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie sliding into my fourth slot. Nicole Kidman, Fernanda Torres, and Demi Moore are battling it out for the last slot, with me going the veteran napping her fifth nomination.