Oscars 2017: Dark Horse/Upset Predictions

BEST ACTRESS: Meryl Streep

Frontrunner: Emma Stone

Potential Upset: Meryl Streep

Never count out Meryl Streep. She’s racked up a record-setting 20 nominations in her career and three wins, putting her head and shoulders above her contemporaries. She already managed one upset this year by snagging a nomination for Florence Foster Jenkins over Amy Adams (Arrival) or Annette Benning (20th Century Women). She could always surprise us again with another win.

Naysayers might say Streep’s performances in Florence Foster Jenkins is just about her singing talent, or lack thereof, but critics praised Streep’s performance as appealing, nuanced, deep and tender. Streep also may have won over a few voters thanks to her incredible Golden Globes speech where she picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award and spoke out against Donald Trump. The fiery speech was praised by many, although Trump called her “overrated” in retaliation. Streep’s also been working with the Human Rights Campaign, and her current political activism could help elevate her in Oscar voters minds. I mean, who calls a national treasure like Meryl Streep overrated? The anti-Trump crowd might just want to prove him wrong.

Streep actually already pulled a surprise win a few years back when she picked up her third Oscar for The Iron Lady, over Viola Davis in The Help. Davis had picked up the SAG Award and was the favorite by many to win, but again, never count out Meryl Streep.