Rising star Mikey Madison won the Best Actress Oscar on Sunday for her performance in Anora, a role that propelled the 25-year-old into an emerging film career after her early success in television, reports AP.
Her win was part of a remarkable night for the Brooklyn-based comedy-drama, which claimed five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker.
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"Wow, this is so surreal," Madison said, after hugging Baker and others before stepping onto the stage. "Forgive me, I'm nervous," she added, before reading a list of thank-yous from a piece of paper.
Madison was previously known for portraying a moody teenager in the FX series Better Things, which wrapped in 2022. She also appeared in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and the fifth Scream film. These roles caught the attention of director-writer Baker, who created the lead role in Anora specifically for her. Madison trained in Russian, performed her own stunts, and even learned to pole dance for her role as an exotic dancer who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.
"I want to again recognise the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally," Madison said during her acceptance speech.
The film premiered to critical acclaim at Cannes last year, winning the prestigious Palme d'Or. Since then, it has gained significant momentum, with its box-office success easily surpassing its $6 million budget.
Veteran actress Demi Moore, known for her role in The Substance, had been the frontrunner for the Oscar, having won over Madison at both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. However, Madison edged out Moore for the BAFTA award just days before the Oscar voting closed, as well as at the Independent Spirit Awards the previous weekend.
Born Mikaela Madison Rosberg in Los Angeles as one of five children to psychologist parents, Madison's mother enrolled her in acting classes during her mid-teens. This came after she trained in competitive horseback riding, a solitary pursuit she found less fulfilling compared to the teamwork aspect of acting.
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"I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me," Madison shared. "This is a dream come true. I’m probably going to wake up tomorrow."
In addition to Moore, the other nominees in the category were Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez, and Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here.