On Jan. 24, 2023, the nominations for the 95th Academy Awards were revealed. Like every awards season, the announcement brought on a slew of excitement for nominees and controversy due to omissions.

The history of the Oscars frequently comes into question as people reflect on past awards seasons’ biggest wins and moments, anticipating memorable acceptance speeches and slaps. 

Conversations are also generated where people predict who is going to take home a golden statuette. Whether they’re a fan favorite or the Academy’s golden child, below is a discussion of who I believe is going to win three of the biggest awards on Hollywood’s biggest night.

Best Actress

Nominees:

• Ana de Armas — “Blonde”
• Andrea Riseborough — “To Leslie”
• Cate Blanchett — “Tár”
• Michelle Williams — “The Fablemans”
• Michelle Yeoh — “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Who should win: Michelle Yeoh

Who will win: Cate Blanchett

This year’s Best Actress nominees emerge alongside a few upsets. Viola Davis was shut out for her role in “The Woman King,” and Danielle Deadwyler was snubbed after portraying Mamie Till-Mobley in “Till.” de Armas was nominated for her controversial role in the Marilyn Monroe “biopic” “Blonde,” and in a shocking twist, Riseborough was introduced to the playing field in pursuit of the Oscar. 

The abundance of controversy surrounding the Best Actress category leaves Blanchett, Williams and Yeoh in the running. However, the two to keep an eye on are Blanchett and Yeoh.

Yeoh has been praised for her role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and Blanchett has received Oscar buzz since “Tár” was released. All in all, it should be a tight race, as both have already picked up wins for their performances this awards season. 

Best Actor

Nominees:

• Austin Butler — “Elvis”
• Bill Nighy — “Living”
• Brendan Fraser — “The Whale”
• Colin Farrell — “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Paul Mescal — “Aftersun”

Who should win: Austin Butler or Brendan Fraser

Who will win: Austin Butler or Brendan Fraser

The 2023 Best Actor nominees are all first-time Oscar nominees, a phenomenon that hasn’t occurred since the 7th Academy Awards 88 years ago. However, this year’s Best Actor category is historic in more ways than one. 

The category is a close race between three actors — Butler, Fraser and Farrell. Each actor has won in their respective category during the awards season circuit.

Personally, I would be pleased to see either Butler or Fraser take the Best Actor crown. Butler absolutely embodies rock legend Elvis Presley in ”Elvis,” and Fraser gives a once-in-a-lifetime performance in “The Whale.” 

Perhaps this year’s Best Actor category can be even more legendary by resulting in a tie — which hasn’t occurred since the 5th Academy Awards.

Best Picture

Nominees:

• “All Quiet on the Western Front”
• “Avatar: The Way of Water”
• “Elvis”
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• “Tár”
• “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• “The Fablemans”
• “Top Gun: Maverick”
• “Triangle of Sadness”
• “Women Talking”

Who should win: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Who will win: “The Fablemans”

The 2023 Best Picture nominee list is stacked, featuring fan-favorites like “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Top Gun: Maverick” among arthouse films like “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “Triangle of Sadness.” “Everything Everywhere All at Once” personifies both fan-favorite and arthouse, which makes it the film many are rooting for.

Featuring a slew of Asian actors, the film has dominated awards season, even winning Best Picture at the 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards. The only thing stopping “Everything Everywhere All at Once” from nabbing the big award of the night is Steven Spielberg.

“The Fablemans” is loosely based on the famed director and his origin story prior to making some of the most iconic films the world has come to know. “The Fablemans” is a love letter to his family, filmmaking and the movies, which is why it is a shoo-in to win.

The 2023 Oscars will air live Sunday, March 12 at 8 p.m. on ABC.