By Chris Nguyen
Features Editor

You read that headline correctly. Sandra Bullock, actress of such classic films like Speed, Miss Congeniality and The Proposal has become THE frontrunner for the Best Actress Oscar after she scored a win this past Saturday at the Screen Actors Guild for her portrayal of Leigh Anne in The Blind Side. And this win was after tying with Meryl Streep at the Critics’ Choice Awards and a win at the Golden Globes.

Can it really be? An actress, whose best known role before The Blind Side was as an undercover FBI agent pretending to be a beauty pageant contestant, take the gold on her first nomination? Well, the way things are going, yes. For one, at mid-40s, Bullock is considered “old” and now, with this dramatic part is best time than any to finally reward one of Hollywood’s most beloved and humble actors. Also, she so happens to bring in the money. The Blind Side has earned over $200 million and several others have made over $100 million. Call me a cynic but the Academy likes to reward actors who make a lot of money and are popular even if performances are merely good (see: Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line). And the best part is that she has been working the campaign. In her acceptance speeches (like the one below), she has been funny, self-effacing (but not too much) and gracious that voters can help but choose to reward someone so, you know, perfect.

Of course, former frontrunner Meryl Streep has many of the same points going for her with her portrayal of Julia Child in Julie & Julia except the thing that may push Sandra to the win: a Oscar (and two actually). Although her last win was in the ’80s, Streep still has the hardware and that may be all that matters in voters’ minds.

There is still time left until the March 7 ceremony for Streep to turn it around, but as things are going now, Bullock can add Oscar winner to her list of accomplishments.