From Hamilton ensemble member to Academy Award nominee, it’s been quite a journey for the luminous Ariana DeBose. After her breakout debut film performance last year in The Prom, DeBose stole every single moment in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and now she stands on the cusp of repeating Rita Moreno’s Best Supporting Actress victory in 1961 for playing the scene-stealing Anita.
After wins at the Golden Globes, SAG, BAFTA, and Critics Choice, DeBose has completed a clean sweep of the major awards and now feels like one of the biggest locks of the evening. She’s led this race from the beginning and hasn’t skipped a beat all season long. She’ll be the second actress of Latin American origin to win this category (Moreno was the first) and the first Afro-Latina winner. She’ll also be one of the few openly queer actors to win an Academy Award.
Can I make a case for any of the other nominees? To be honest, no. Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog) and Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) would likely be the undeniable frontrunners in any other year. There’s a lot of love for their films, but their nominations are their rewards. In a light year, a veteran like Judi Dench (Belfast) could easily stroll to victory. But nothing is stopping DeBose this year. She did the impossible in making Anita completely her own and deserves to be rewarded.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS PREDICTIONS:
1. Ariana DeBose – West Side Story (20th Century Studios)
2. Kirsten Dunst – The Power of the Dog (Netflix)
3. Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard (Warner Bros.)
4. Jessie Buckley – The Lost Daughter (Netflix)
5. Judi Dench – Belfast (Focus Features)
Will win: Ariana DeBose
Should win: Ariana DeBose
Possible shocker: Anyone else