9-Year-Old Quvenzhane Wallis Scores Well-Deserved ‘Best Actress’ Oscar Nod For Beasts Of The Southern Wild

The nominations for the Academy Awards are out! And while there’s plenty of recognition for big budget movies like Lincoln and high profile actors like Hugh Jackman and Robert DeNiro, those predictable contenders aren’t what interests us. Here at Mommyish, we’re just thrilled for Quvenzhané Wallis and her truly brilliant performance in Beasts of the Southern Wild. The 9-year-old Louisiana-native just scored a coveted ‘Best Actress’ nod. She’s the youngest actress to be nominated for a leading role.

Speaking of age, Quvenzhané was actually 6 years old when she filmed the dramatic and emotional film about a father and daughter living in the Louisiana bayou. One of the smallest-budget movies to be recognized by the Oscars this year, Beasts of the Southern Wild seems like a miracle. It’s a first-time director with a virtually unknown child actor. The other leading role in the film, Wallis’s father, was played by another first-time actor who happened to own a bakery near the film set and scored the part by chatting up his customers.

What the movie didn’t have in experience or entertainment industry bonafides, it made up for with raw emotions and a deeply moving story to tell. Since it’s release, it’s been on plenty of people’s buzz list for the big award shows.

However, Quvenzhané had her doubters. Back in December, The Atlantic ran a piece called, “Sorry, Quvenzhané Wallis, but Best Actress Oscar Nods Are for Big Kids.” The film critic, Scott McDonald, further insulted the little girl’s amazing performance by suggesting, “The 9-year-old star of Beasts of the Southern Wild was just six when the movie was filmed. At that age, it’s virtually impossible for a kid to truly be acting.”

Well, call us crazy, but we think this talented little girl did a pretty amazing job of acting. In fact, she was able to carry a small, independent movie from obscurity all the way to the Oscars. It doesn’t matter what age you make this achievement at, it’s still impressive.

We know she has some stiff competition from the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain, but we have to admit that the Mommyish office is pulling for Quvenzhané Wallis. We want this captivating little girl to take home the big prize. If you’ve seen the movie, you have to agree that she deserves it!

(Photo: WENN)