* Whitney Houston: Her film "The Bodyguard" was released in 1992, but it continued to be a massive hit in 1994, making her one of the most popular figures in entertainment.
* Sandra Bullock: 1994 saw the release of "Speed," which catapulted Bullock to stardom and made her one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood.
* Julia Roberts: Although her highest-grossing film, "Pretty Woman," was released in 1990, Roberts remained incredibly popular in 1994 with "Mary Reilly" and "Prêt-à-Porter."
* Demi Moore: Moore was already a big star, but 1994 saw the release of "Disclosure," a film that generated a lot of buzz and cemented her position as a powerful figure in Hollywood.
* Whoopi Goldberg: She continued to be a popular and critically acclaimed actress in 1994, starring in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" and "The Lion King."
* Nicole Kidman: Kidman was gaining momentum in 1994, starring in "Batman Forever" and "Practical Magic."
It's important to note that "popularity" can also be measured based on box office numbers, critical acclaim, public perception, or media coverage.
Ultimately, there's no single answer to who was the "most popular" actress in 1994. All the actresses mentioned above were hugely successful and contributed to the cinematic landscape of that year.