Will Viola Davis prevent Meryl Streep from winning her third Academy Award?
The 46-year-old star of The Help was nominated in the Best Actress category Tuesday morning. She will compete against The Iron Lady's Streep (a 17-time nominee), The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo's Rooney Mara, Albert Nobbs' Glenn Close and My Week With Marilyn's Michelle Williams.
Davis, who earned raves for her role as a maid in The Help, credits the film's all-star cast for her nomination.
"The key to a great performance is surrounding yourself with talent and getting over your ego," Davis tells Variety. "One thing everybody gave up was their egos when they got on the set, and I think that showed in the final product."
Davis' costars Octavia Spencer, 41, and Jessica Chastain, 30, will go head-to-head in the Best Supporting Actress category. The Help, which also features Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard, is one of nine films nominated in the Best Picture category.
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