Best Supporting Actress Oscars Predictions (December)

Much like the race for Best Actress, the battle for the five nomination spots for Best Supporting Actress is going to lead to some painful snubs. Too many worthy performances but only five can get through. The surprise leader with the critics groups is Ariana Grande (Wicked) who cemented her Oscar chances with nominations at both the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics Choice Awards.

Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave) also picked up GG and CCA noms, so they’re really feeling like the top three at this point. That leaves those final two spots open to all sorts of possibilities. While Felicity Jones (The Brutalist) was bizarrely snubbed by CCA, it’s safe to presume her film will perform better with the Academy and she’ll take one of the five spots.

That leaves the last slot up for grabs for contenders. Margaret Qualley (The Substance) is currently second with critics wins. And she also scored GG and CCA nods. If her film overperforms with the Academy, she could be swept along for the ride. CCA nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Nickel Boys) and GG nominee Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez) are definitely in the mix, but I’m sticking with Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson), even if I can’t shake the memory of her shameful Best Actress snub in 2022 for Till.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR PREDICTIONS:
1. Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez (Netflix) – CCA, GG
2. Ariana Grande – Wicked (Universal Pictures) – CCA, GG
3. Felicity Jones – The Brutalist (A24) – GG
4. Isabella Rossellini – Conclave (Focus Features) – CCA, GG
5. Danielle Deadwyler – The Piano Lesson (Netflix) – CCA, Gotham

IN CONTENTION
Maria Bakalova – The Apprentice (Briarcliff Entertainment)
Joan Chen – Dìdi (Focus Features)
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor – Nickel Boys (Amazon MGM Studios) – CCA
Elle Fanning – A Complete Unknown (Searchlight Pictures)
Selena Gomez – Emilia Pérez (Netflix) – GG
Carol Kane – Between the Temples (Sony Pictures Classics)
Natasha Lyonne – His Three Daughters (Netflix) – Gotham
Margaret Qualley – The Substance (MUBI) – CCA, GG
Saoirse Ronan – Blitz (Apple Original Films)