Movie fans get ready to talk because the 2025 Oscars just wrapped up and there were definitely some surprises. One of the biggest head-turners of the night? The Best Actress category! While many expected Karla Sofía Gascón to take home the statue it was Mikey Madison who walked away with the Oscar for her performance in "Anora". Let's break down this unexpected win and all the buzz from the night.
And the Oscar Goes To... Mikey Madison! "Anora" Sweeps with Best Picture and Actress Wins
Yep you heard it right Mikey Madison is your 2025 Best Actress Oscar winner for her role in "Anora". This movie was actually the big winner of the night snagging a total of five awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker. Baker himself had a record-breaking night taking home four Oscars for "Anora" tying Walt Disney's record for most wins in a single year! Talk about a major achievement.
Madison's win was a surprise to many because heading into the awards season Karla Sofía Gascón seemed like the frontrunner for her role in "Emilia Pérez". But the Academy voters clearly had other ideas and Madison's performance in "Anora" resonated with them in a big way. "Anora" tells quite a story and Madison's portrayal of the lead character clearly captivated audiences and critics alike to land her the top acting prize.
Karla Sofía Gascón's Historic Nomination and the Shadow of Controversy
Even though she didn't win Karla Sofía Gascón's nomination for Best Actress was still a massive moment. She made Oscar history as the first openly transgender woman to be nominated in any acting category. That's a huge step forward for representation and visibility in Hollywood. Her performance in "Emilia Pérez" definitely got noticed and celebrated even if she didn't ultimately take home the Oscar.
However Gascón's Oscar campaign wasn't without its challenges . Controversy arose when some old social media posts of hers resurfaced online and were seen as offensive. This controversy definitely added another layer to her nomination and may have affected her chances of winning. Despite the situation Gascón handled herself with grace and thanked the Academy for the nomination and for inviting her to the ceremony. She also congratulated all the winners in a post-Oscars message showing professionalism and class.
"Emilia Pérez": Thirteen Nominations But Only Two Wins - Was It Overhyped?
"Emilia Pérez" actually went into the Oscars with a whopping 13 nominations more than any other film this year! That is a huge number. Despite all the nominations though the movie only ended up winning two awards: Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña and Best Original Song. Some are wondering if "Emilia Pérez" was perhaps overhyped or if it just didn't connect with Academy voters in the way some predicted.
Adding to the mixed feelings around "Emilia Pérez" is the fact that it has faced some pretty harsh reviews from audiences and critics alike. Its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is surprisingly low and some critics specifically Mexican and trans critics have raised concerns about its portrayal of cartel violence and gender transition. It seems like while the film garnered a lot of attention and nominations it wasn't universally loved and ultimately didn't translate into major wins beyond supporting categories.
Conan O'Brien Hosts and Other Oscar Highlights
This year's Oscars ceremony was hosted by none other than Conan O'Brien and it was his first time taking on the job. Conan is known for his humor and he brought that to the Oscars stage. He even made a lighthearted joke directed at Karla Sofía Gascón during the show referencing the social media controversy . Overall it sounds like Conan did a solid job hosting the ceremony.
Besides the Best Actress race and "Anora's" big wins there were other notable moments. Adrian Brody won Best Actor for "The Brutalist" marking his second Oscar win. Zoe Saldaña's Best Supporting Actress win for "Emilia Pérez" was also significant as she became the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar. And of course there was the usual Oscar night buzz fashion and surprises that kept everyone watching.
2025 Best Actress Oscar Nominees - The Full List:
- Mikey Madison - WINNER (Anora)
- Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)
- Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)
- Demi Moore (The Substance)
- Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
Surprises Snubs and a Historic Win: Reflecting on the 2025 Best Actress Race
The 2025 Best Actress Oscar race definitely had its share of surprises and talking points. Mikey Madison's win was an upset for some but a well-deserved victory for her powerful performance in "Anora". Karla Sofía Gascón's historic nomination was a landmark moment even amidst controversy. "Emilia Pérez" despite its nomination haul didn't dominate the awards as some expected. And Conan O'Brien brought his comedic energy to hosting the show. Overall the 97th Academy Awards provided plenty to discuss and celebrate in the world of film and performance.