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| Mikey Madison |
A few years back, Mikey Madison was best known for her memorable supporting turns, like playing Susan Atkins in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and appearing in Scream (2022). But everything changed in early 2025.
At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, Madison took home the Best Actress Oscar for her breakout leading role in Anora, directed by Sean Baker. The film also snagged Best Picture, among a total of five Oscar wins (People).
At just 25 years old, she became one of the youngest actresses ever to win Best Actress and was confirmed as the first member of Generation Z to win in an acting category (Washington Post).
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🎬 The Role That Changed It All
In Anora, Madison portrays Ani, a sex worker in New York whose life turns upside down after marrying the son of a Russian oligarch. Critics praised her for bringing "ferocious and vulnerable" intensity to the role, with The Washington Post calling it “a breakthrough performance.”
For authenticity, she underwent year-long preparation. She learned Russian, studied pole dancing, performed her own stunts, and even moved into Brighton Beach to capture Ani’s accent and environment (People).
A Clean Sweep During Awards Season
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| Mikey Madison at the Oscars |
Before the Oscars, Madison earned the BAFTA Best Actress award and multiple precursor honors, including the Independent Spirit Awards, helping her build momentum leading into the ceremony (Washington Post). Anora also won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes in May 2024 (People).
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Down-to-Earth Star Power
Despite her rapid ascent, Madison remains grounded. In her Oscar press room appearance, she noted she’d return home to “my new puppies,” calling them a reminder of normal life (People).
At the press conference, she emphasized her commitment to making stories that inspire and expressed gratitude to the sex-worker community she represents (Washington Post).
What’s Next for Madison?
Her sudden success has officially placed her on every “actors to watch” radar. While she’s already reported to be attached to several major projects, rumors include a psychological thriller with an A-list director and a 2026 ensemble drama, no specifics have been publicly confirmed yet.