Keisha Castle-Hughes Whale Rider hen casting directors discovered Castle-Hughes at her school in Mt.  Wellington, New Zealand, she had no previous acting experience. Only 11 at the time of production, her radiant personality, expressive eyes and natural talent won her the role of Pai, the Maori girl who struggles against all odds and tradition to become leader of her tribe. Castle-Hughes gives a pure and moving performance, revealing emotional depth and sincerity that is rare in one so young. She absolutely carries the picture. Castle-Hughes is also the youngest ever Best Actress Oscar nominee. Diane Keaton Something's Gotta Give er first Oscar win for Best Actress was back in 1977 for the unforgettable Annie Hall. Other nominations followed for Reds (1981) and Marvin's Room (1996). Highly regarded in the industry, she has already won the Golden Globe for her role as Erica, a Manhattan playwright who nurses unexpected houseguest Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) after he suffers a mild heart attack at her home. Keaton is delightful as she goes from lonely and uptight, to self-assured and sexy. Despite being a comedic turn, she could reach the podium for her funny and heartbreaking performance. Samantha Morton In America ritish actress Morton's first Oscar nomination was in 2000 for her role as a mute in Woody Allen's Sweet and Lowdown. In Jim Sheridan's semi-autobiographical In America, she's the wife and mother of an Irish immigrant family, arriving in New York City to start a new life. Grief-stricken after losing a young son before leaving Ireland, the presence of her boy, Frankie, is still clearly evident in her eyes. Morton told Tribute, "I am a mother, so to play a film where I believe in everybody, and to know this happened to Jim Sheridan just blew me away." While perhaps a surprise nomination, her performance is worthy  of recognition.

Charlize Theron Monster scar loves an actress who's not afraid to make herself unattractive for the sake of art. Just look at the transformations previous winners Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry underwent for their films. Theron does that and more, showing no sign of cover girl beauty in her portrayal of real-life prostitute and serial killer Aileen Wuornos. She packed on 30 pounds, shaved off her eyebrows, and hid behind dark contact lenses, fake teeth and a mottled complexion. The physical transformation aside, Theron delivers a ferocious performance, losing herself in the role, displaying mannerisms, body language and speech patterns that are dead-on. Naomi Watts 21 Grams atts is riveting as Cristina, a former party girl and drug addict-turned-wife and mother, whose life spins out of control when her husband and two children are killed in a horrendous car accident. Crippled by grief, Watts undergoes several disturbing transformations, as her character searches for meaning in a shattered life. Watts took the role without ever reading the script, after seeing director Alejandro Gonz�lez In�rritu's work on Amores Perros (2000). Watts told Tribute, "I thought, wow, this man knows how to handle tragedy, emotion and suffering better than anyone I had seen, in a non-manipulative way." This is her first Oscar nomination. Enter our $10,000 diamond contest HERE