Blanchett should know as this year's Golden Globe nomination is her ninth since her first, a win, in 2000 for Elizabeth.
The return of the sharp-tongued British comic Ricky Gervais, who in past years has skewered the A-list audience with bad taste jokes, will also add a layer of nervous sweat on nominees.
Blanchett will be joined at the Beverly Hilton by prolific Australian filmmaker George Miller, who has two nominations for Mad Max: Fury Road: directing and best dramatic picture.
Blanchett and Miller aren't favourites, but a win at the Globes - where most of the film categories are split into drama and comedy/musical - will add fire to their Oscar campaigns.
Brie Larson for Room is the Globe dramatic actress frontrunner, followed by Brooklyn's Saoirse Ronan.
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Blanchett's chances will likely be hurt by her Carol co-star Rooney Mara, who was thought to be a supporting actress candidate but was elevated to Blanchett's lead category.
Blanchett plays a mother in 1950s New York going through a tough divorce who unexpectedly falls for Rooney's character, a younger photographer.
The Globes are also known for nominees' and presenters' drunken behaviour, with alcohol flowing for guests throughout the ceremony.
Blanchett, who doesn't mind a drink, says it presents a problem.
"Normally you're so stitched into those dresses that you can't even drink anything because if you have to pee, it's a disaster," Blanchett said.
The Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday.
• We'll have all the action from the red carpet and beyond live on nzherald.co.nz from 10am.
-AP
