Hollywood loves a good surprise and the 2025 Oscars delivered a big one. While many expected veteran actress Demi Moore to take home the Best Actress award a newcomer named Mikey Madison walked away with the trophy. If you are wondering who Mikey Madison is and how she went from relative unknown to Oscar royalty get ready to find out. Her story is just getting started and it's already pretty amazing.
Oscar Upset: Mikey Madison Snags Best Actress Leaving Demi Moore Fans in Shock (and Craving Fries)
The Best Actress category was stacked this year but many thought it was Demi Moore's to lose for her performance in The Substance. She had already won a Golden Globe a Critics Choice Award and a SAG Award. It looked like an Oscar win was a sure thing. But then Mikey Madison's name was announced for her role in Anora and jaws dropped.
Even Mikey herself seemed shocked saying backstage "This is very surreal!" Demi Moore took the unexpected loss like a champ though . After the Vanity Fair after-party she was seen rocking a bathrobe cuddling her dog and diving into two huge trays of French fries . Her daughter Tallulah posted a picture saying "MY winner" and honestly that is a pretty relatable way to celebrate or commiserate after a big awards show.
From Horseback Riding to Hollywood Dreams: Mikey Madison's Path to Oscar Gold
Mikey Madison wasn't your typical child actor. She grew up in the Valley outside of Los Angeles but Hollywood felt like a different world to her. Born Mikaela Madison Rosberg she was known as "Mikin" to family and spent years focused on competitive horseback riding. That was her passion until she was 14.
Then things changed. She started taking acting classes working on student films and at 16 landed her breakthrough role as Max on the TV show Better Things. For seven seasons she played Pamela Adlon's angsty daughter and people started to notice her talent. She also had smaller roles in big movies like Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream. It was those roles that caught the attention of indie director Sean Baker.
Baker offered Mikey the lead role in Anora without even an audition. To prepare Mikey went all in. She researched sex work learned some Russian took pole dancing lessons and even lived in Brooklyn where the movie is set. Her dedication paid off big time with that Oscar win.
Overnight Success? Years of Hard Work and Raw Talent Fuel Mikey Madison's Rise
While it might seem like Mikey Madison became famous overnight her Oscar win is the result of years of hard work and dedication. Her performance in Anora is being called a revelation. Critics are praising her raw dynamic and deeply human portrayal of the character. She beat out established stars for the Oscar proving her talent is undeniable.
Mikey's acting style is known for being authentic and immersive. She really dives into her roles. For Anora learning Russian and immersing herself in the world of sex work were key to her performance. She is drawn to characters with complexity and contradictions not just simple one-dimensional roles. This Oscar win is likely just the beginning for Mikey Madison. Hollywood is now wide open for her and everyone is eager to see what she does next.
Mikey Madison: Key Facts About the New Oscar Winner
- Real Name: Mikaela Madison Rosberg
- Age: 25 years old (Born March 25 1999)
- Hometown: Woodland Hills California (Los Angeles suburb)
- Breakthrough Role: Max Fox in the TV series Better Things
- Oscar Win: Best Actress for Anora (2025)
- Preparation for Anora: Learned Russian pole danced researched sex work and lived in Brooklyn
- Early Career Interest: Competitive horseback riding before acting
- Family: Parents are psychologists has a twin brother and other siblings.
Hollywood's New A-Lister: What's Next for Oscar Winner Mikey Madison?
Mikey Madison's Oscar win has changed everything. She is no longer just a rising star she is a full-fledged Hollywood A-lister. Doors are now open for her that were closed before. Everyone in the industry wants to work with her. She is taking her time to figure out what projects to take on next wanting to choose roles that really speak to her. At only 25 years old Mikey Madison has a long and bright future ahead. Keep an eye on this name because you are going to be seeing a lot more of Mikey Madison in the years to come and Hollywood is ready for her.