Can 'The Help' Co-Stars Viola Davis And Octavia Spencer Make Oscars History?

http://www.goldderby.com/television/news/2330/can-%27the-help%27-co-stars-viola-davis-and-octavia-spencer-make-oscars-history.html

Gold Derby's Oscarologists are predicting that at least two of the women from "The Help" will be nominated this year -- Viola Davis in the lead race and Octavia Spencer for her featured performance. This would mark only the third time in Oscar history that African American women have contended in both categories in the same year.

Two years ago, Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique were both recognized for their roles in "Precious," with Mo'Nique claiming victory in the supporting race while Sidibe lost Best Actress to Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side"). In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg reaped a Best Actress bid for "The Color Purple" while her co-stars Margaret Avery and Oprah Winfrey contended in supporting. Goldberg lost to Geraldine Page ("The Trip to Bountiful") while Angelica Huston ("Prizzi's Honor") claimed Best Supporting Actress.

Unlike those pairings, both of "The Help" actresses are among the frontrunners. At 13 to 8, Davis is just ahead of Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady") who is at 15 to 8 for Best Actress. And Spencer rules the Supporting race with even odds compared to 11 to 2 for Berenice Bojo ("The Artist").

Davis would be the ninth African American Best Actress nominee, following Dorothy Dandridge ("Carmen Jones," 1954), Diana Ross ("Lady Sings the Blues," 1972), Cicely Tyson ("Sounder," 1972), Diahann Carroll ("Claudine," 1974), Goldberg, Angela Bassett ("What's Love Got to Do with It," 1993), Halle Berry ("Monster's Ball," 2001) who won, and Sidibe.

African American women have contended 16 times for Best Supporting Actress with Hattie McDaniel ("Gone with the Wind," 1939), Goldberg ("Ghost," 1990), Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls," 2006), and Mo'Nique prevailing.

McDaniel was the first African American -- male or female -- to win an Academy Award. Berry thanked McDaniel during her emotional acceptance speech while Mo'Nique paid tribute to this pioneer by dressing in a similar fashion.

The touching video of McDaniel receiving her trophy more than seven decades ago can be seen if you click the link.
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So what do you think of both of their chances to win at the Oscars next year?

I would love for this to happen! I'm rooting for Michelle Williams tho <3

^ I still need to see that Monroe movie she is getting buzz for.

I am pretty sure Octavia Spencer will win for Supporting Actress but Viola will have a harder time to beat Meryl, Michelle, and likely Glen Close and Tilda Swinton.

If ever there was a year for it to happen though it is 2012. I don't recall Gabourey ever really having a good shot of winning [Mo'Nique was pretty much a lock to win that year] so imo this is the best chance for two African-American actresses to make history.

Atm I am rooting for them both however that may change if I feel Meryl, Williams, or Swinton deserve to win for their lead performances.

that would be nice to see them both win.

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