Mikey Madison made history at the 2025 Academy Awards, winning the coveted Oscar for Best Actress for her exceptional performance in Anora. This film had entered the night as a frontrunner in several major categories, including Best Picture and Best Director, and Madison’s victory was a testament to her remarkable talent. In addition to her Oscar win, Madison had already secured Best Actress honors this year from the BAFTA Awards and the Spirit Awards, further solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s rising stars.
As she took the stage to accept her award, Madison began her speech with a sense of awe, reflecting on the surreal nature of the moment. “This is very surreal,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here, standing in this room today is really incredible.” Her words resonated deeply with the audience, capturing the essence of what it means to achieve one’s dreams against the odds.
One of the most touching moments of Madison’s acceptance speech was when she took a moment to honor the sex worker community, an important part of the narrative in Anora. “I just want to recognize and honor the sex worker community,” Madison said, pausing to let the message sink in. “Yes. I will continue to support and be an ally. All of the incredible people, the women that I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community has been one of the highlights of this incredible experience.” Her heartfelt tribute underscored her commitment to advocating for marginalized groups, reflecting her deep empathy and the powerful role her performance played in raising awareness about the lives of sex workers.
Madison continued to express her gratitude and admiration for her fellow nominees, acknowledging their extraordinary work. “I also just want to recognize the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees,” she said. “I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you. This is a dream come true.” Her humility and respect for the other talented actresses in the category made her acceptance speech even more poignant, and the audience couldn’t help but share in her joy.
The race for Best Actress was fierce this year, with Madison competing against formidable contenders such as Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here, Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez, and Demi Moore for The Substance. While Moore had a strong start to the awards season, taking home major Best Actress wins at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards, Madison proved herself a serious contender with her triumph at the BAFTA Awards. The competition remained wide open after the SAG Awards, where Moore emerged victorious, but Madison’s Oscar win marked her as the standout contender. The Best Actress category has often seen splits between the SAG and Academy Awards, with previous winners like Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye) repeating at the Oscars, while others like Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) claimed the Oscar despite not winning at the SAGs.
In Anora, Madison delivered a powerful portrayal of the title character, a sex worker whose life is turned upside down after she marries the son of a Russian oligarch. The film, directed by Sean Baker, explores complex themes of power, vulnerability, and survival. Madison’s nuanced performance was widely praised, and her Oscar win serves as a testament to her depth as an actress. During her BAFTA Awards acceptance speech, she once again honored the sex worker community, taking the opportunity to address the audience with a heartfelt message of solidarity. “I do want to just take a moment to recognize the sex worker community. I just want to say that I see you,” she said, receiving applause from the crowd. “You deserve respect and human decency. I will always be a friend and ally.” This powerful statement further solidified her role as an advocate for marginalized communities, demonstrating her commitment to using her platform for positive change.
Mikey Madison’s Oscar win for Anora is not just a recognition of her incredible acting skills but also a celebration of her dedication to telling meaningful stories that highlight important social issues. As she continues to take on powerful roles, it’s clear that Madison’s career is just beginning, and audiences can expect to see much more from this talented actress in the years to come.
