Anora star Mikey Madison won the Best Actress award at the 2025 Oscars tonight, upsetting a race that most insiders had largely predicted would go to The Substance star Demi Moore. The twenty-five-year-old Los Angeles native’s win was one of five wins for Anora, including Best Picture. Madison capped off her acceptance speech by thanking the sex worker community and Brighton Beach.
Demi Moore had been considered the Best Actress Oscars frontrunner after she won the coveted Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She also won the SAG, Critics Choice Award, and a slew of prestigious critics circle awards throughout the season. Momentum for Madison’s campaign started to appear when she upset Moore at the recent BAFTA awards.
Anora is writer, director, and editor Sean Baker’s ode to a feisty Brooklyn-bred lapdancer named Ani (Mikey Madison). Ani’s world is turned upside down when she’s asked to pair up with a Russian oligarch’s young son Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn) for the night. Soon, Ani and Vanya have a private arrangement that escalates into what appears to be a fairy tale romance. After the two marry in Las Vegans, however, reality slams into them.
During her acceptance speech for the Oscar, Mikey Madison echoed Baker’s own acceptance speech from earlier in the night, honoring the sex workers who had inspired Ani’s journey.
“I also just want to again recognize and honor the sex worker community,” Madison said. “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 entire incredible experience.”
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Besides Best Picture and Best Actress in a Leading Role, Anora also earned Academy Awards for Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director, all of which went to Baker.
“Thank you very much, Sean. I adore you,” Madison said, finishing her speech. “This is all because of you.
Anora is currently available to buy or rent on streaming, but will be on Hulu on March 17.
