FINAL 2021 Oscar Nomination Predictions: MAKEUP and HAIRSTYLING

A rich category full of fascinating and complicated work and a shortlist that features three films that focus on traditional Black hair for the first time ever.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and One Night in Miami utilize numerous wigs made of horse and or/human hair to create their characters. Mia Neal, hair department head, wig designer & wig builder on Ma Rainey, is likely to become the first Black woman ever nominated in the makeup and hair category. That also goes for Sharon Martin, makeup and hair designer on Jingle Jangle. Both getting in would be a double record.

Three films have earned all three precursors: Hillbilly Elegy, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Mank – all from Netflix. Pinocchio nabbed BAFTA and a Makeup and Hairstylist guild (MUAH) nomination, Jingle Jangle and Birds of Prey hit MUAH and Emma. has BFCA. I’m giving Emma. the edge here as the only period era represented that this branch goes for year after year, even if it misses precursors. Suicide Squad not only surprised win a nomination a few years ago, it won, so I can see Birds of Prey being a spoiler here.

Here are my final 2021 Oscar predictions in Makeup and Hairstyling.

• 1. Hillbilly Elegy (Netflix) – BAFTA, BFCA, MUAH (x3)
  Eryn Krueger Mekash (makeup department head), Patricia Dehaney (hair department head), Matthew Mungle (prosthetic designer)
• 2. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix) – BAFTA, BFCA, MUAH (x2)
  Sergio Lopez-Rivera (personal makeup for Viola Davis), Mia Neal (hair department head, wig designer & wig builder), Jamika Wilson (personal hair for Viola Davis)
• 3. Pinocchio (Roadside Attractions) – BAFTA, MUAH
  Mark Coulier (prosthetic makeup designer), Dalia Colli (makeup artist), Francesco Pegoretti (hair designer)
• 4. Mank (Netflix) – BAFTA, BFCA, MUAH
  Kimberley Spiteri (hair department head), Gigi Williams (makeup department head)
• 5. Emma. (Focus Features) – BFCA
  Marese Langan (hair and makeup designer)

Watch out for: Birds of Prey (Warner Bros) – MUAH (x2)

Oscar shortlist contenders: The Glorias, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (MUAH), The Little Things, One Night in Miami

Photo credit: David Lee/Netflix