Who is Mikey Madison? Meet the Best Actress Oscar Winner from ‘Anora’

Mikey Madison won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her captivating performance in Anora, one of the five Academy Awards the film received. Keep reading to learn more about the rising star and her journey to Hollywood’s biggest night.

Mikey Madison has taken Hollywood by storm after winning the Best Actress award at the 2025 Academy Awards for her mesmerizing performance in Anora. Her win was part of the film’s five Oscar victories, cementing its place as one of the most celebrated indie films in recent years. But who is Mikey Madison, and how did she go from relative obscurity to becoming one of Hollywood’s most talked-about stars?

Let’s take a deep dive into her journey, career highlights, and what’s next for this talented actress.

Mikey Madison’s Unbelievable Oscars Night

For Mikey Madison, winning an Oscar felt like something out of a dream. The actress herself admitted that she was in shock after hearing her name called as the Best Actress winner.

“It’s, for lack of a better word, just incredibly surreal,” Mikey told reporters after accepting her Academy Award on March 2, 2025. “I never thought anything like this would happen in my life. I love making movies, and I’ve dreamed of being an actress in a film like Anora my entire career.”

Her win was just one of five awards the indie drama Anora took home that night. The film won Best Picture, while its director Sean Baker swept the Best Directing, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Screenplay categories. It was an emotional night for Mikey, who expressed gratitude to her cast, crew, and fans for their support.

“We went off and we just made this weird, crazy movie,” she explained, “and had fun and poured our hearts into it.”

Despite her meteoric rise, Mikey remains humble and focused on what matters most to her—telling compelling stories.

“I really don’t know what will happen in the future,” she said. “I just want to keep making movies and continue to work with people who inspire me.”

Who Is Mikey Madison? Age, Background & Early Life

Born in 1999, Mikey Madison is 25 years old. Raised in Los Angeles, she grew up in a large family with five siblings, including a twin brother. Before acting, Mikey had a completely different passion—horseback riding.

For years, she was a dedicated equestrian, even being homeschooled to devote more time to riding. However, as she got older, she felt drawn to acting.

“I just had a pull towards wanting some deeper connection with other people,” she told Esquire in an interview. “To me, that decision was simultaneously easy but also painful. I felt that if I started acting, then I’d have to commit myself 100 percent to it.”

Leaving behind horseback riding, Mikey threw herself into acting, landing small roles before breaking into Hollywood.

Mikey Madison’s Film & TV Career

Before Anora, Mikey Madison had been quietly building an impressive resume. She made her film debut in 2015’s Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey, before landing a major TV role in FX’s Better Things (2016–2022), where she played Max, the eldest daughter of Pamela Adlon’s character.

Other notable roles include:

• Nostalgia (2018)

• Monster (2018)

• Imposters (TV Series)

• Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019) – where she played Sadie, a member of Charles Manson’s cult.

• Scream (2022) – one of her most recognized roles before Anora.

Her work in Scream was so impressive that director Sean Baker offered her the lead role in Anora without an audition.

“He said, ‘If you want to do it, I will write it for you,’” Mikey recalled in an interview. “And I said, ‘Yeah, absolutely I want to.’”

Mikey Madison’s Role in ‘Anora’

In Anora, Mikey plays the titular character, a Brooklyn-based sex worker who goes by the name Ani. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Ivan, a Russian billionaire’s party-loving son, who pays her to be his girlfriend for a week. The two jet off to Las Vegas, where Ivan impulsively proposes marriage to Ani, hoping to avoid returning to Russia. However, their whirlwind romance is short-lived as Ivan’s wealthy parents intervene, determined to end their marriage by any means necessary.

To prepare for the role, Mikey went through an intense transformation:

• Learned Russian to perfect her character’s dialogue.

• Lived in New York’s Brighton Beach to work on her Brooklyn accent.

• Took pole dancing classes for months.

• Created a Pinterest board for Ani’s look and persona.

• Shadowed real-life dancers at clubs to improvise interactions during filming.

This dedication paid off, as her performance was hailed as one of the most compelling of the year, ultimately earning her an Academy Award.

Awards & Recognition

Mikey’s portrayal of Ani didn’t just earn her an Oscar—it made her one of the most celebrated actresses of the year. Here’s a look at the accolades she received:

• Academy Award for Best Actress

• BAFTA Award for Best Actress

• Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead

• Golden Globe Nominee

• SAG Award Nominee

• Critics Choice Award Nominee

• Anora also won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2024.

With this level of recognition, it’s safe to say that Mikey Madison has officially arrived.

What’s Next for Mikey Madison?

While she’s still celebrating her Oscar win, Mikey is already looking ahead to her future projects. She recently appeared in the TV series Lady in the Lake and has hinted at developing her own content.

“I have a couple of personal stories that I’d love to work with my twin brother on,” she told The Cut in an interview. “When it comes to me, I’ll be ready.”

It’s clear that Mikey isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and Hollywood is eager to see what she does next.

Final Thoughts

Mikey Madison’s rise to stardom is a testament to her dedication, raw talent, and fearless approach to acting. From her early days as a dedicated equestrian to her Oscar-winning performance in Anora, her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

With a golden statue in hand and a career that’s just getting started, one thing is certain—Mikey Madison is here to stay, and we can’t wait to see where her talent takes her next.