Hollywood just got a brand new name to remember: Mikey Madison! This 25-year-old actress totally stunned everyone by snagging the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the indie darling film, Anora . If you're wondering " Mikey Madison ethnicity?" or just plain "Who is this amazing actress?" you've come to the right place. Let's dive into the story of this rising star and her magical Oscar night!
Overnight Sensation? More Like Years of Hustle for Mikey Madison's Oscar Win
While it might seem like Mikey Madison appeared out of nowhere to grab an Oscar it's actually been a journey years in the making. Born Mikaela Madison Rosberg in sunny Los Angeles she grew up in Woodland Hills in the Valley. Forget Hollywood glitz for a sec Mikey was all about horses. Seriously she was a competitive equestrian for years! To focus on riding she was even homeschooled after seventh grade. Talk about dedication!
But then at 14 things shifted. Mikey caught the acting bug. She started taking classes doing student film s and slowly but surely building her acting chops. Her breakthrough role came at 16 on the critically acclaimed FX series Better Things where she played Pamela Adlon’s eldest daughter for seven seasons. During that time she also landed parts in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the Scream franchise. These roles really put her on the map catching the eye of indie director Sean Baker.
From Brighton Beach Stripper to Oscar Gold: Mikey Madison's Transformation for 'Anora'
Sean Baker known for his raw and real filmmaking style offered Mikey Madison the lead role in Anora without even an audition! Talk about trusting your gut. To get ready for the role of Ani a street-smart stripper turned escort Mikey went all in. She spent a year researching sex work learning Russian taking pole dancing lessons even twerking lessons and temporarily moving to Brighton Beach Brooklyn where the movie is set. That's commitment!
Over a 40-day shoot Mikey poured her heart and soul into the role. Her performance is described as having these "mournful eyes that belie her character’s confident demeanor" especially in the film's "unforgettably heartbreaking final scene." It clearly paid off. Anora premiered at Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 and started racking up awards buzz immediately.
Oscar Night Shock and A Classy Reaction from Demi Moore
Despite all the awards buzz heading into the Oscars Mikey Madison wasn't exactly the frontrunner. She had lost out on the Golden Globe Critics Choice and SAG Awards to Demi Moore who was nominated for The Substance. Most predictions favored a win for the veteran Demi Moore. So when Emma Stone announced Mikey Madison's name for Best Actress it was a genuine shocker!
The Dolby Theatre audience was stunned. Even Mikey herself seemed totally surprised and overwhelmed. But in a truly classy move Demi Moore handled the "snub" like a pro. After the awards Demi's daughter Tallulah Willis shared a heartwarming photo of Demi cuddling her dog Pilaf and eating French fries captioning it "MY winner". Demi Moore herself also took to Instagram to congratulate Mikey Madison saying "And a huge congratulations to #MikeyMadison — can’t wait to see what you do next." Talk about supporting fellow actresses!
Mikey Madison's Oscar Win: Key Facts You Need to Know
- Oscar Winner: Mikey Madison won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Anora at the 2025 Academy Awards.
- Youngest Winner in Years: She is the ninth-youngest Best Actress winner ever and the youngest since Jennifer Lawrence 12 years ago.
- Breakthrough Role: Anora is considered her major breakthrough role though she was known for Better Things and supporting roles in big films before.
- Intense Preparation: Mikey dedicated a year to researching and physically preparing for her role in Anora including learning Russian and taking pole dancing classes.
- Indie Darling Upset: She was considered an underdog in the Best Actress race beating out frontrunners like Demi Moore.
What's Next for Magic Mikey? Hollywood's Doors Are Wide Open
With an Oscar in hand Mikey Madison's future is looking incredibly bright. Hollywood is now officially her oyster. She admits she is still processing it all and figuring out her next steps. But one thing is clear: she wants to keep working with interesting people and follow projects that she feels a strong "pull" towards. At only 25 Mikey Madison is just getting started and we can't wait to see what kind of magic she brings to the screen next! Keep an eye on this name folks because Mikey Madison is definitely one to watch.