This year, the 2019 Academy Awards will be broadcast from the historic Dolby Theater with one major change, the Oscars will be host-less. After homophobic tweets surfaced last year from actor/comedian Kevin Hart, who was set to host the show, was fired from the gig, leaving the ceremony without a host for the first time ever. Many rumors are circulating Hollywood about a surprise host, with big names like Whoopi Goldberg being top guesses.  

However, it isn’t just the lack of host that will be a first in Oscar history; as the Spanish-language black-and-white autobiographical Roma could become the first foreign language film to win best picture, after earning 10 nominations. The period piece, The Favourite, also acquired 10 nominations, including best picture, best actress, and best director. A Star is Born and Vice followed with 8 nominations, and Black Panther came in third for the most nominations with 7. 

With the already-historic night coming up this weekend, here are my predictions for some of the top awards of the night.  

Best Actress:

Yalitza Aparicio (Roma)
Glenn Close (The Wife)
Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born)
Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) 

After a historic tie at the Critic’s Choice Awards between Glenn Close and Lady Gaga for their respective roles in The Wife and A Star is Born, it is quite evident that these two ladies are leading the pack for best actress contentions. Close, a six-time Oscar nominee, won the Golden Globe and the SAG Award for her role, while Lady Gaga has yet to win a major acting award this season. Her song Shallow is nominated and is most certainly going to win for best original song, however for best actress, I think it’s safe to say that experience is important; and Glenn Close is well overdue for her Oscar. However, with Roma the favorite to win some of the night’s biggest awards, Yalitza Aparicio has a solid shot at winning her nod in the best actress category as well.  

My Prediction: Glenn Close, The Wife  

Don’t Count Out: Yalitza Aparicio, Roma

Best Actor:

Christian Bale (Vice)
Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born)
Willem Dafoe (At Eternity’s Gate)
Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)
Viggo Mortensen (Green Book)  

Despite Bradley Cooper being snubbed in the best director category, the actor earned his fourth Oscar nomination for his role in A Star is Born. Weeks ago, I would’ve put money on a battle between Cooper and Christian Bale, who plays VP Dick Cheney in Vice, for the award. However, after Bohemian Rhapsody’s Rami Malek won the Golden Globe, the BAFTA, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for his portrayal of Queen front-man Freddy Mercury, I’m starting to think his streak may continue at the Oscars. His transformation into the star is one to be admired; Rami’s resemblance to Mercury is uncanny and he truly put himself into the actor’s shoes. And if one thing is for sure, it’s that Hollywood adores Freddy Mercury.

My Prediction: Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Don’t Rule Out: Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born 

Best Supporting Actress:

Amy Adams (Vice)
Marina de Tavira (Roma)
Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)
Emma Stone (The Favourite)
Rachel Weisz (The Favourite) 

Like last year’s fight for best supporting actor, the best supporting actress category has two nominees from the same movie going head-to-head for the award. Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, who both starred in the period piece The Favourite, gave amazing performances playing Abigail Masham and Sarah Churchill, respectively. Marina de Tavira’s emotional performance in Roma is one to admire as well, however the award is most likely going to Regina King for If Beale Street Could Talk. The movie, despite being snubbed of a best picture nomination, has received praise; especially for Regina King’s emotional performance. If for some reason she doesn’t win, count on Rachel Weisz to take the award in this tight race.  

My Prediction: Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Don’t Count Out: Rachel Weisz, The Favorite 

Best Supporting Actor:  

Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Sam Elliot, A Star is Born
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell, Vice  

Just two years ago at the 2017 Oscars, Mahershala Ali took home this award for his role in Moonlight. Now, I’m almost certain he’ll be winning it once more, especially after he’s already taken home the SAG Award, Golden Globe, and the Critic’s Choice Award for the role. Sam Rockwell has a slim chance at winning for portraying George W. Bush, despite being snubbed of a nomination at the SAG Awards; but overall, Mahershala is nearly a shoo-in for best supporting actor.  

My Prediction: Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Don’t Rule Out: … Maybe Sam Elliot, A Star is Born  

Best Picture: 

Bohemian Rhapsody
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Green Book
Vice
A Star is Born
Roma
The Favourite 

This year, the coveted category has eight nominees, including historical pieces, musical dramas, and two firsts: Black Panther is the first superhero movie to be nominated for Best Picture, while Roma is only the eighth foreign language film to be nominated. Looking at the Golden Globes, Bohemian Rhapsody and Green Book both won for best picture for the drama and musical/comedy categories, respectively. However, A Star is Born took the box office and critics by storm. Green Book has been shrouded with controversy after the film was described as “spoon-feeding racism to white people”. Meanwhile, the Queen Anne period piece, The Favourite, lead the Critic’s Choice Awards with 14 nominations. At the end of the day, I do believe that Roma will prevail and become the first foreign language film to win in the best picture category, especially after the movie won top awards at the BAFTAs and the Director’s Guild Awards. 

My Prediction: Roma
Don’t Count Out: Green Book 

Best Director:

Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)
Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite)
Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman)
Adam McKay (Vice)
Pawel Pawlikowski (Cold War) 

Perhaps the second-most coveted award of the night is for the visionaries behind the top movies: best director. This year, the five men nominated are all accomplished and talented directors who made amazing movies. Alfonso Cuaron is nominated for his film Roma, which made a whopping $0 in the box office due to its release on Netflix. Spike Lee, who earned his first Oscar nomination for BlacKkKlansman, received an honorary directing award in 2016 from the Academy. Adam McKay earned his second nomination for his biopic of sorts about Dick Cheney. Pawel Pawlikowski is the unexpected choice for best director, as Cold War has flown under the radar during this award season. The Favourite, alongside Roma, received the most nods of any films – and its likely the best directing award will be awarded to one of these two critically acclaimed movies.  

My Prediction: Alfonso Cuaron, Roma 

Don’t Count Out: Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite