Jennifer Lawrence
Actress Jennifer Lawrence poses with her Oscar backstage at the 85th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, in 2013. Reuters

Jennifer Lawrence became the youngest actor ever to gain three Academy Award nominations this week. Will the rising star walk away with another Oscar this year? Critics are weighing in on the 23-year-old Kentuckian's chances to win Best Supporting Actress for her role in “American Hustle.”

Lawrence is up against Sally Hawkins in “Blue Jasmine,” Julia Roberts in “August: Osage County,” June Squibb in “Nebraska,” and Lupita Nyong’o in “12 Years a Slave.” TheGrio.com opines that the chances of "The Hunger Games" star pulling off a win from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences two years in a row are slim. “Back-to-back wins (even in different categories) are extremely rare,” reads the report, which also gives fans hope of a potential sweep for the young star. “Lawrence’s likable, off-the-cuff style seems to have really endeared her to the Hollywood establishment."

2014 Oscar Best Supporting Actress Nominees
Nominees for the Academy Awards best supporting actress category Sally Hawkins, Lupita Nyong'o, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts and June Squibb (clockwise from top left). Reuters

Entertainment Weekly, however, is betting on Lawrence, saying her star power could secure her the consecutive Oscar win (after Best Actress for "Silver Linings Playbook.") "Jennifer Lawrence’s [Golden] Globe might create the impression she is also well ahead of the pack in the Supporting Actress race. She stands a good shot,” reads the report, adding, “If Lawrence keeps up the momentum, she could easily find herself with back-to-back Academy wins.”

Lawrence already has a significant win, the Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe, and multiple nominations, for playing the outrageous character of Rosalyn Rosenfeld in David O. Russell’s “American Hustle.”

Jennifer Lawrence "American Hustle"
Jennifer Lawrence in her role of Rosalyn Rosenfeld in David O. Russell's film, "American Hustle." Facebook: American Hustle

While Lawrence clearly is a favorite, a new face is closing in on the Hollywood sweetheart. Fresh off her win from the 2014 Critic’s Choice Awards Thursday night, “12 Years a Slave” actress Lupita Nyong’o is also a strong contender for Best Supporting Actress. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm in the Academy for Nyong’o,” says Entertainment Weekly.

The 86th annual Academy Awards airs live on March 2 on ABC starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

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