Mikey Madison, the breakout star from Sean Baker's acclaimed film Anora, captured the Academy Award for Best Actress on Sunday night, surprising many by defeating established favorite Demi Moore. Madison's emotional performance as Ani, a sex worker who marries the son of a powerful Russian oligarch, has captivated audiences and critics alike. Anora recently made headlines for earning five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Baker.
The film tells the story of Ani, portrayed by Madison, whose life takes unexpected turns when she marries Ivan, played by Mark Eydelshteyn, during their whirlwind romance in Las Vegas. Following their marriage, the couple heads to New York, where they confront family dynamics and personal challenges.
Despite being 25 years old and relatively new to the film industry, Madison's performance has earned her widespread acclaim. Baker, who penned the role with her in mind after seeing her work, noted, "Seeing [Mikey] play different roles, her ability to change her emotions on a dime, her sense of humour, her bravery, was why we reached out to her." Madison expressed gratitude about the collaboration, stating, "I felt like the luckiest actress in the world."
Reflecting on her unexpected Oscar win, Madison described the moment as surreal. "I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. This is truly incredible," she commented after her victory. She emphasized her commitment to the sex worker community, both through her acceptance speech and her continued advocacy efforts.
During her speech, Madison acknowledged her roots and the advocacy work surrounding her role. "I want to once again recognize the sex worker community. I will always be their ally. You deserve respect and human decency." Her dedication to the community echoed her previous comments during her acceptance speech at the BAFTA Film Awards, where she first began garnering serious awards traction this season.
Madison's rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. Raised in the San Fernando Valley, she was homeschooled and initially pursued competitive horseback riding before discovering her passion for acting. It was only after her mother enrolled her in acting classes – inspired by her daughter's growing interest – did Madison fully commit to the craft. She stated, "To me, acting connected me to another part of myself. It felt brave, deep, and emotional."
Before Anora, Madison made her mark on television through notable roles, including her performance as a rebellious teenager on FX's Better Things. She also appeared briefly alongside big names such as Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
"Making this film gave me confidence as an actor, inspired me, and reminded me of the kind of work I want to do," Madison explained about her experience making Anora.
Madison's victory at the Oscars was particularly impactful considering the stiff competition. She had to edge out not just Moore, but other strong contenders such as Cynthia Erivo, Fernanda Torres, and Karla Sophia Gascón. Moore had been considered the front-runner after winning various awards leading up to the ceremony.
Despite the fierce competition, Madison’s performance was celebrated for its depth, particularly balancing humour with the stark realities of sex work. Baker has built his career around representing marginalized voices, especially sex workers, and Anora stands as another significant example of this commitment.
Reflecting on her transformative moment from TV actress to Oscar winner, Madison acknowledged her gratitude. She stated, "My heart is breaking for Los Angeles right now, but I feel like as a community, everyone’s coming together to celebrate film beautifully." Backstage, she reflected on her unexpected rise, stating, “Wow, this is very surreal.”
Looking to the future, Madison expressed excitement about continuing to pursue unconventional roles and impactful storytelling. "I want to keep making movies but I'm going to celebrate this win before figuring out what's next," she said, hinting at the importance of choosing roles carefully.
Madison is also busy outside of acting, devoting her downtime to her beloved rescue dog, Jam, and spending time baking. She described Jam as her "love and absolute chaos," emphasizing her love for cooking and baking as ways to center herself.
With every accolade, Madison’s commitment to her artistry and advocacy only seems to deepen, leading to speculation about what her future holds. Can we expect more powerful narratives and truth-telling from this newly minted Academy Award winner?
Madison's unexpected win signals not just her triumph, but also reflects shifting trends within Hollywood. With characters like Ani, audiences see multidimensional depictions of women and stories previously marginalized by mainstream narratives. Anora set the tone for potentially greater representation and acknowledgment of complex characters on the big screen.
Her victory is not only personal but emblematic of Hollywood's growing willingness to embrace stories around marginalized communities, thereby encouraging aspiring filmmakers to continue challenging traditional storytelling conventions.
Madison's ascent reinforces the notion: when stories are told authentically, they resonate. Her Oscar win is not just recognition for her performance but also for the important conversations it promotes about sex work and its representation in media.