You may not have heard of them but these are the stars who will be taking the 2013 Academy Awards by storm.

With just hours to go before the big day, we introduce you to these new household names.

Jessica Chastain, nominated for best actress for Zero Dark Thirty:
Previously a theatre actress, Jessica Chastain is now taking on the big screen starring in movies such as The Tree of Life and The Help. Her leap to the top is not surprising from a woman who graduated from The Juilliard School in New York City with a scholarship to pursue drama granted by actor Robin Williams. Other points to note: She is a natural red head and a proud vegan.

Jennifer Lawrence, nominated for best actress for Silver Linings Playbook:
Jennifer Lawrence is much more than just a (very) pretty face. Jennifer took it upon herself to graduate from high school two years early to pursue her acting career. With breakthrough roles in movies like The Hunger Games and Winter's Bone, the hard work has definitely paid off. Other pointes to note: She refuses to diet and has a passion for acting in dark indie movies.

Quvenzhané Wallis, nominated for best actress for Beasts of the Southern Wild:
At just eight years old, Quvenzhané, pronounced Kwe-VEN-zhah-nay, has become the youngest best actress nominee in the award show's history and not without good reason. After meeting Quvenzhané, the director of Beasts of the Southern Wild actually re-wrote the script to suit her strong personality. Other points to note: At just five, she had to lie about her age to audition for the film. The director was also very impressed with her ability to burp on command.

Joaquin Phoenix, nominated for best actor for The Master:
Joaquin Phoenix had his breakout role at just 15, in the 1986 film Parenthood. You may remember him more recently as the jealous emperor from Gladiator and the older brother from the thriller Signs. Other points to note: He is the child of two missionaries for a religious cult in which he and his siblings were raised. He is also the brother of actor River Phoenix and was with him when he died.

Christoph Waltz, nominated for best supporting actor for Django Unchained:
Quentin Tarantino's darling Christoph Waltz first started by doing small roles on German television. You might remember him as the bad guy from both Inglourious Basterds and Water for Elephants. Other points to note: He is fluent in German, English, and French and is the only actor from a Tarantino film to ever win an Oscar (he won the best supporting actor gong for Inglourious Basterds).