Oscars 2025: Mikey Madison wins best actress for 'Anora'

Mikey Madison claimed her first Academy Award on Sunday, winning best actress for her role as a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch in the drama "Anora." The 25-year-old beat "The Substance" actor Demi Moore , Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, Cynthia Erivo of "Wicked" and "Emilia Perez" star Karla Sofia Gascon. In "Anora," Madison played an exotic dancer named Ani who gets married on a whim to Ivan, a member of a wealthy Russian family.

Ivan's family does not respond well to the marriage. Madison grew up in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles. At 16, she landed a role on FX television series "Better Things.



" She also had a small part in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time ...

in Hollywood" and starred in "Scream V." Her "Anora" role also earned Madison best actress honors at the Independent Spirit Awards and Britain's BAFTAs. Earlier, "Anora" also won for filmmaker Sean Baker the best director trophy.

Kieran Culkin was hailed Best Supporting Actor; Zoe Saldana , Best Supporting Actress; and Adrien Brody , Best Actor. — Reuters.