1. Melanie Laurent- Inglourious Basterds
The advertising campaign for Quentin Tarantino’s WWII Opus Inglourious Basterds made it look like it would just be about Brad Pitt killing some nazis. But the real star of this movie was Melanie as Shoshanna Dreyfus. Shoshanna was a Jew hiding in plain sight in Paris, and is an amazingly strong female character. Melanie was also in an indie movie called “Paris” released this year.
2. Carey Mulligan–An Education
Doctor Who fans knew Mulligan as the beautiful and brave Sally Sparrow in “Blink,” but 2009 is Mulligan’s year. She’s dating Shia Labeouf, and is garnering Oscar buzz for her performance as ‘Jenny’ in An Education.
3. Lea Michele-Glee
Known at first for her role in “Spring Awakening,” Lea Michele became known to non-Broadway Philes because of her role as Rachel in ‘Glee’. The cover of “Don’t Stop Believing” from the pilot where she sang the female lead hit the number 1 spot on itunes earlier this summer, and so far, the show is doing well.
4. Abbie Cornish–Bright Star
Cornish did a remarkable job in Jane Campion’s Bright Star as the Fanny, the love of John Keats’ short life.
5. Gabourey Sidibe–Precious
Gabourey plays the lead in “Precious,” a much-buzzed about movie produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah. Gabourey had this to say about her casting and things the press have been saying, “I’m actually not her (Precious). They try to paint the picture that I was this downtrodden ugly girl who was unpopular in school and in life, and then I got this role and now I’m awesome. But the truth is that I’ve been awesome, and then I got this role.. I know I’m not a piece of shit or some random fat girl.”
What do you think of Blue Centerlight Pop’s choices for breakout female stars of 2009? Who would you have added?
5 Comments
November 8, 2009 at 12:49 am
That quote from Gabourey Sidibe is brilliant.
November 8, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Wonderful article, Sarah! There was a great interview with Carey Mulligan in the October issue of Elle UK. She talked about her want to continue to do more indie films and where she wants to do with her career. Great list! GLEE!!!
November 9, 2009 at 1:20 am
Love this list! And the quote from Gabourey Sidibe is fantastic.
November 17, 2009 at 3:47 am
Thank you very much! It is a great quote, I think Gabourey is fantastic.
November 18, 2009 at 11:55 pm
[...] Gabourey plays the lead in “ Precious ,” a much-buzzed about movie produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah. Gabourey had this to say about her casting and things the press have been saying, “I’m actually not her ( Precious ). …Read More… [...]