It's All About Streep vs. Bullock

Throughout this year’s awards season, one of the tightest races has consistently been Best Actress in a Leading Role.

At the start of the season, it appeared that 15-time Oscar nominee Meryl Streep was the clear favorite for her performance as famed chef Julia Child, in Julie and Julia. After the Critics’ Choice Awards, however, The Blind Side's Sandra Bullock quickly emerged as a dark horse. In fact, both Streep and Bullock tied for the honor at the Critics’ Choice Awards and even locked lips upon their acceptances. With Bullock winning the SAG and both actresses collecting a Golden Globe, it’s sure to be one of the most compelling races at this year’s Oscars.

Beyond the publicity and campaigning, the award has extended to the actresses’ lives and interactions. Throughout the precursor awards, both Streep and Bullock have been jokingly sending each other death threats. In the beginning, Bullock left threatening and violent voice mails on Streep’s answering machine. Streep then retaliated by sending Bullock dead orchids in honor of her success.