Gabourey Sidibe
Precious: based on the novel "push" by sapphire
Sandra Bullock worked for decades before receiving an Oscar nomination. Sidibe struck gold with her first film — indeed, her first audition. "I wasn't an actress until I was hired to be an actress," says the Brooklyn native, 26, a psychology student when she tried out to play Precious Jones. Fat, illiterate and subject to horrifying domestic abuse, Precious could have been a simple conduit for audience pity; Sidibe invested her with power and nuance. Tough role to play, tough act to follow. Perhaps a change of pace? "I am obsessed with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, all those really, really funny women," Sidibe says. "I'd like to do girl comedies. Without falling in love at the end. That always ruins it."