cate blanchett
Five outstanding actresses contend for the top Oscar in 2023 for best actress. The list blends seasoned Hollywood stars with rising talents. Cate Blanchett for TÁR, Ana de Armas for Blonde, Andrea Riseborough for To Leslie, Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Michelle Williams for The Fabelmans are all in the running for the coveted statuette.
The voting pool is led by Blanchett, who hopes to add a third Oscar to her collection as part of her celebrated career, a milestone many see as a lasting mark of excellence. Ana de Armas hopes to broaden recognition beyond her recent breakthrough, aiming for a wide recognition that includes Spanish-speaking audiences. Williams seeks a glamorous Oscar moment for a fifth time, Yeoh aims to extend her strong relationship with the American film industry, and Riseborough aspires to prove she earned applause on her own merits. [Cited: Academy Awards analysis]
cate blanchett
One of Hollywood’s most celebrated performers returns to the race with another chance at the precious statuette. Blanchett has previously won twice, for The Aviator in 2005 and Blue Jasmine in 2014, and has earned eight nominations overall, including a nomination in 2023. TÁR also received nominations for best picture, best directing, best original screenplay, best editing, and best cinematography. It stands as one of the year’s standout films. Blanchett has captured a Golden Globe and was named best actress of the year at the Venice Film Festival, where she entered as a favorite.
Ana de Armas
The young performer who gained widespread attention on television for El internado is now regarded as Spain’s bright hope in this Oscars edition. The Spaniard–Cuban actress delivered a striking portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Andrew Dominik’s controversial Blonde, shedding light on many turbulent facets of the artist’s life. While reactions to the film ranged from praise to critique, de Armas’ performance is universally acknowledged as stellar. She isn’t leading the pool, yet her work could still surprise. She has also earned nominations for the Golden Globes and BAFTA.
Andrea Riseborough
Riseborough’s nomination sparked significant controversy this edition. The film To Leslie had limited distribution and modest box office before the nomination, far from the scale of typical Academy contenders. Yet a campaign supported by colleagues such as Blanchett and Winslet helped secure the nomination. The questions center on campaign ethics versus rules, since Riseborough reportedly financed parts of the outreach herself. Despite critics and debates, the Academy’s voting body did not retract the nomination.
michelle yeo
A familiar name in the academy who has long impressed audiences. Hollywood history already has Yeoh as a visible figure; she starred in Tomorrow Never Dies and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The 2023 campaign moved forward strongly with Everything Everywhere All at Once, which earned her a Golden Globe for best actress. In a wider context, Time magazine named her among the world’s most influential people in 2022, and Rotten Tomatoes highlighted her as a leading action icon in earlier years. She has contributed to blockbuster sequels and iconic titles across decades.
michelle williams
Williams requires little introduction. Her career includes five Oscar nominations, with four prior nominations for titles such as Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine, My Week with Marilyn, and Manchester by the Sea. The 2023 race presents another chance to add to a shelf already filled with recognition, including two Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild award. The industry and fans alike await the outcome on the ceremony day, hoping her turn in The Fabelmans seals a notable triumph for her career. The final decision will be announced in March, closing a chapter that has been closely watched by critics and audiences alike. [Cited: Academy coverage]”