With the 89th Academy Awards just around the corner we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane and check out the past ten years of our leading ladies!
From Kate Winslet’s outstanding performance in The Reader to Natalie Portman’s impressive ballet skills in Black Swan, join us in remembering ten years of Best Actress Oscar winners…
2008 Marion Cotillard: La Vie en Rose
For her outstanding performance as the iconic French singer Édith Piaf, there was absolutely no way the 2008 Oscar would have been awarded to anyone else, even if she was up against the brilliant Cate Blanchett.
2009 Kate Winslet: The Reader
In her acceptance speech, she spoke directly to her fellow nominee’s including Anne Hathaway and Angelina Jolie and said “I think we all can’t believe we were in a category with Meryl Streep.” What a legend.
2010 Sandra Bullock: The Blind Side
The film may have caused quite a lot of controversy in terms of how it presented race, but Bullock’s Academy Award was well deserved. She fended off tough competition from Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, Carey Mulligan and Gabourey Sidibe.
2011 Natalie Portman: Black Swan
It was no surprise to anyone that in 2011, a pregnant Natalie Portman took home the award. While she was initially overwhelmed with gratitude for it, following the birth of her first child she claimed: “My Oscar is a false idol,” and couldn’t even remember where the statue was.
2012 Meryl Streep: The Iron Lady
Queen Meryl won her second Best Actress Academy Award, after winning in 1983 for Sophie’s Choice for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, the longest-serving UK Prime Minister in the 20th century.
2013 Jennifer Lawrence: Silver Linings Playbook
Famously remembered for her unfortunate, but extremely gracious, trip before she reached the stage, Lawrence took home the gong for her outstanding performance in the romantic-comedy drama.
2014 Cate Blanchett: Blue Jasmine
One of our all-time favourite Aussies (minus Chris Hemsworth of course) we loved Blanchett’s acceptance speech in which she commented on how important it is for women to be in film. You go girl!
2015 Julianne Moore: Still Alice
If you haven’t seen Still Alice, then you need to put it on your movies to watch list and make sure you have a pack of tissues handy. Moore’s poignant performance playing a woman who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease was simply outstanding.
2016 Brie Larson
Brie Larson took home the gong in 2016 for her outstanding performance in Room. Before Room, Larson had previously broken out with a role in Short Term 12, which earned her an Independent Spirit award nomination. The film is a must-see and is proof of her acting talent. Brie will be back in cinemas soon, starring in Kong: Skull Island alongside Tom Hiddleston.
2017 our prediction: Emma Stone
Who will take home the gong for Best Actress this year? There’s stiff competition, with two of this year’s nominee’s, Meryl Streep and Natalie Portman, already previous winners. We reckon Emma Stone will take the oscar this year though, for her brilliant performance in La La Land.
Who do you think will win the award for Best Actress at this year’s Oscars? Let us know! @tweetjanes