Awards season loves its overlaps, but every now and then, the Venn diagram of Hollywood prestige and real-world influence gets especially interesting. As red carpets roll out and Oscar chatter grows louder, another powerful spotlight has quietly been shaping the cultural conversation.

TIME’s annual Women of the Year list has long celebrated changemakers who move the needle far beyond their industries, blending star power with substance.

This year, TIME’s Women of the Year list just got an Oscar upgrade with two nominees making the cut.

Chloé Zhao and Teyana Taylor stand out as the Oscar-nominated talents bringing some serious glow to TIME’s newest Women of the Year roster. Their paths are downright captivating. Zhao, who already snagged an Oscar for directing Nomadland, steps back into the awards buzz with Hamnet, which is also a top contender for Best Picture. Zhao's poignant take on a classic tale has charmed critics and voters everywhere.

The movie's raw heart earned it top spots at the Golden Globes, including Best Dramatic Film, solidifying Zhao as a one-of-a-kind visionary in storytelling. On the flip side, Teyana Taylor rides a wave of career highs. A true all-around artist for years, she grabs her debut Oscar nod for her standout supporting turn as Perfidia in One Battle After Another.

Taylor has been vocal about how validating this feels, particularly after holding her own with pros like Leonardo DiCaprio, which she dubbed a total learning whirlwind. Her role has scooped up key victories this season, building real steam. 

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Talking about women and Oscar nominees, one nominee recently shared her nomination disbelief.

Elle Fanning insists she never saw her Oscar nomination coming for her part in Neon's Sentimental Value. She told The Hollywood Reporter, "I like to be scared. I like to be terrified a bit." The film racked up nine nods, with another in supporting actress for fellow star Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Stellan Skarsgard in supporting actor, and Renate Reinsve leading the actress pack.

The film also received nods in the best picture, director, screenplay, and international feature categories. Fanning added that the Sentimental Value crew, as corny as it sounds, turned into a close family unit since the flick bowed at Cannes in May.

TIME’s Women of the Year nod to these Oscar contenders like Zhao and Taylor underlines how film talent stretches into broader change, blending screen magic with real influence that inspires beyond the theater. 

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What do you think about TIME’s Women of the Year picks and their Oscar ties? Comment down below!