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Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Oscars Best Actress Commentary (Updated Jan. 9, 2026): Another race primed for late movement, best actress is shaping up as a collision point between performances anchored in presumed best picture contenders and turns that may ultimately stand as the lone piece of recognition for their films.
The Actor Award nominations displayed that split, citing Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”), Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), Chase Infiniti (“One Battle After Another”) and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”).
BAFTA’s longlist widened the field, naming Buckley (“Hamnet”), Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked: For Good”), Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), Infiniti (“One Battle After Another”), Jennifer Lawrence (“Die My Love”), Renate Reinsve (“Sentimental Value”), Andrea Riseborough (“Dragonfly”), Stone (“Bugonia”) and Tessa Thompson (“Hedda”).
At the Critics Choice Awards, Buckley emerged with the best actress win, prevailing over fellow nominees Byrne, Infiniti, Reinsve, Amanda Seyfried and Stone — a result that solidified her momentum.
The Golden Globes, which announce winners on Sunday, further reflect the fluidity. In lead actress (drama), nominees include Buckley, Lawrence, Reinsve, Julia Roberts (“After the Hunt”), Thompson and Eva Victor (“Sorry, Baby”). In lead actress (comedy), the lineup features Byrne, Erivo, Hudson, Infiniti, Seyfried and Stone.
Nominations voting will begin Monday, Jan. 12 and conclude Friday, Jan. 16. Official nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be revealed Thursday, Jan. 22. The 98th Academy Awards will take place Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre and will be televised live on ABC in more than 200 territories worldwide.
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Image Credit: ©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection
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Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection
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Image Credit: Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival/Georges Lechaptois
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Image Credit: ©Searchlight Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
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Eligible Performers (Best Actress)
Image Credit: "Familiar Touch" (Courtesy of Armchair Poetics)
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