Kate Winslet Knew She Had no Chance of Taking Oscar Home  2/26/07

Actress Kate Winslet knew she'd be nothing more than an honored, invited guest at the Oscars - because there was no way anyone was going to beat Dame Helen Mirren in the Best Actress category.

Winslet received her fifth Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a desperate young mum in Little Children, but she just knew she'd be going home empty handed again.

She says, "I think it's never been a more foregone conclusion (that Mirren would win) and that's fantastic.

"She's worked her ass off for God knows how many years, and she's delivering one of the best performances she's ever given (The Queen).

"Why in hell should anyone like me win that award this year?"

Winslet insists she doesn't mind missing out on Oscar gold - she's just happy to be at the Academy Awards.

She adds, "Every time I've been to the Academy Awards, I've known in my gut that I wasn't going to win. The upside of that is all I need to do is smile and enjoy it and hope that my dress looks OK."