Top 10 Most Popular Oscar Acceptance Speeches By Women

New research reveals that Kate Winslet has the most-viewed Academy Award acceptance speech given by a woman in history. The study by shopping experts Coupon Ninja examined the verified Oscars YouTube account to reveal the most-viewed Academy Award acceptance speeches made by women, to establish the Internet’s favourite Oscar speeches ahead of this year’s ceremony.

The research revealed that Winslet has the most-viewed Oscar acceptance speech made by a woman in history. The Titanic star won her long-awaited ‘Best Actress’ Academy Award in 2009 for her role in The Reader, beating the likes of Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. The actress struggled to hold back her emotions during her evocative speech, which has now received more than 17 million views on YouTube.

Jennifer Lawrence has the second most popular Academy Award speech for her 2013 ‘Best Actress’ award for Silver Linings Playbook. Lawrence will go down in Academy Award history, sadly not for her speech, but for her fall up the Academy steps on her way to collect her award, which has now received more than 14.5 million views on YouTube.

With more than 12 million views, the third most popular Oscar acceptance speech given by a woman goes to Natalie Portman despite her describing her gong as a “false idol”. The Black Swan actress won her ‘Best Actress’ award in 2011 – beating the likes of Nicole Kidman – and her speech has now received more than 12 million views online.

• Kate Winslet officially has the most popular ‘Best Actress’ Academy Award speech, with more than 17 million views.
• Jennifer Lawrence’s fall up the Academy steps has more than 14 million views on YouTube.
• Natalie Portman has the third most-viewed Oscar acceptance speech by a woman, with more than 12 million views.

Additionally, Lupita Nyong’o’s acceptance speech also features as one of the most popular, placing fifth overall. As Nyong’o’s first nomination and first win as ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for 12 Years a Slave, she used her acceptance speech to acknowledge the legacy of slavery, which has now received nine million views on YouTube.

In 2002, Halle Berry historically became the first black woman to win the ‘Best Actress’ Academy Award, which has now raked in more than six million views online, placing ninth overall. Berry used her acceptance speech to highlight social change, calling attention to all the women of colour who came before her.

A spokesperson for Coupon Ninja commented on the findings: “Award shows have become synonymous with highlighting political and social change as of late, with winners using their acceptance speeches to raise awareness of vital issues such as gender equality and greater representation in film. 

“With names such as Olivia Coleman and Kristen Stewart nominated this Oscar season, it will be fascinating to see how this year’s winner affects this ranking, and if winners might use their acceptance speech as another catalyst for social and political change.”

The analysis was conducted by Coupon Ninja, which aims to provide exclusive coupons on major brands for online shoppers. 

Kate Winslet in the provocative film The Reader