Variety Editor Predicts Best Actress and Picture Winners Ahead of Oscars

• Reese Witherspoon's daughter, Ava Phillippe, landed a surprise role in Ella Langley's new music video 'Choosin' Texas,' featuring Miranda Lambert. • The video highlights country music collaborations, showcasing emerging talent alongside established stars like Lambert. • This debut marks a significant step for Phillippe in entertainment, blending family legacy with country music's rising scene.

• SAG-AFTRA announced the rebranding of its annual SAG Awards to 'The Actor Awards' effective 2027, marking a shift in the union's awards nomenclature. • The 33rd ceremony is set for February 28, 2027, and the 34th for February 20, 2028, both streaming live exclusively on Netflix under a multi-year partnership. • This move aligns with upcoming Oscars on March 14, 2027 (99th) and March 5, 2028 (100th), potentially boosting actor visibility amid streaming dominance.

• Taylor Swift is developing plans for her next studio album while currently in "The Life of a Showgirl" era, with sources indicating she "always has ideas percolating." • According to insiders, Swift is not locked into a new tour and is enjoying her break, though ideas for future projects have been floated among her team. • The singer is realistic about following up The Eras Tour, planning to ensure her next project is special while avoiding the pressure to make everything as "big and ambitious" as her record-breaking tour.

• Amanda Bynes is releasing her new single 'Girlfriend' on April 10, marking her return to music after nearly 4 years away from the scene. • The track blends EDM and rap elements and is described as "built around a strong hook and confident, flirt-heavy energy," featuring Los Angeles-based rapper Fenix Flexin. • Bynes, known for roles in 'She's The Man' and 'Easy A,' teased the collaboration on social media, calling the music "straight fire."

• Academy Awards nominations announced April 5 in Los Angeles, with sci-fi drama 'Eclipse' topping at 14 nods, followed by 'The Reckoning' at 12. • Director Ava DuVernay's 'The Reckoning' earned Best Director and Best Actress for Zendaya, while 'Eclipse' star Timothée Chalamet got Best Actor. • Nominations reflect diversity push, with 45% women and 40% people of color among acting nominees, per Academy stats.

• Taylor Swift revealed a new surprise album titled 'Evermore Sessions' during her Eras Tour stop in Los Angeles on April 5, featuring 15 re-recorded tracks and collaborations with Bon Iver and The National. • The announcement came via a live Instagram post to 280 million followers, with pre-orders spiking 500% on iTunes within hours, reaching No. 1 globally. • Fans and critics hail it as a bridge between folklore and evermore eras, potentially breaking streaming records amid Swift's dominant 2026 chart presence.

• New Star Wars series 'Echoes of Mandalore' launched on Disney+ April 5, starring Pedro Pascal and Katee Sackhoff, drawing 25 million global views in premiere day. • Five-episode season explores Mandalorian civil war post-'The Mandalorian' Season 3, with $150 million budget evident in practical effects. • Boosts Disney+ subscribers by 2% overnight, reinforcing franchise's streaming dominance amid cord-cutting trends.

• Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival opened April 5 in Indio, California, with Travis Scott headlining main stage to 125,000 attendees on Day 1. • Lineup includes Olivia Rodrigo, Post Malone; surprise guest appearances by Drake and Ice Spice boosted social media buzz to 50 million mentions. • Event generates $150 million economic impact for Riverside County, drawing criticism over high $600+ ticket prices.

• Billie Eilish and brother Finneas O'Connell won Song of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards held April 5 in Las Vegas for 'Ocean Eyes Reprise'. • Award marks their fifth Song win, beating nominees like Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar; Eilish said, 'This one's for the dreamers who never quit.' • Event viewed by 18.7 million, up 12% from 2025, highlighting music awards' TV resurgence.

• Beyoncé dropped the lead single 'Break My Soul Pt. 3' from her upcoming Renaissance Act III on April 5, debuted at Coachella preview event in Indio, California. • Track features house beats and guest vocals from Megan Thee Stallion, amassing 10 million Spotify streams in first 4 hours. • Critics praise it as a 'dancefloor anthem evolution,' positioning Beyoncé for another No. 1 debut amid 2026's competitive music landscape.

• Netflix's current top 10 movies is topped by 'The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson' (2026), a new documentary drawing massive viewer interest. • 'Anaconda' (2025) ranks second, followed by 'Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom' (2026) in third, with classics like 'Madagascar' (2005) at fourth. • '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' (2026) rounds out the top five, highlighting strong performance of recent horror and true-crime releases.

• Peacock's top streaming picks for April 4-5 include three standout movies ideal for weekend binging, as highlighted in recent entertainment roundups. • These selections feature high viewer ratings and timely themes, competing with Netflix's charts amid rising streaming wars. • Updated lists from multiple outlets emphasize Peacock's growing library as a key player in U.S. on-demand content.