


One of Sunday’s biggest shockers ended up being the race for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Mikey Madison won the coveted award at the 97th Academy Awards for her role in “Anora” when most assumed the trophy would go to Demi Moore for “The Substance.”
Madison looked shocked when her name was called and spent some time hugging those sitting by her in the audience — and asking for a piece of paper from a friend — before walking to the Oscars stage.
“Wow, this is very surreal,” Madison said through a fit of nervous giggles while cradling her Oscar.
She then unfolded her piece of paper and said, “Forgive me, I’m nervous, so I’m going to read off of a paper. But thank you so much to the Academy. I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. So to be here standing in this room today is really incredible.”
Madison won her Oscar on Sunday for her nuanced portrayal of Ani — a sex worker who gets a harsh reality check in Sean Baker’s “Anora.” Madison made sure to thank those who helped make her performance as authentic as possible.
“I also just want to, again, recognize and honor the sex worker community,” Madison said. “I will continue to support and be an ally. All of the incredible people, the women that I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community, has been one of the highlights of this incredible — of this entire — incredible experience.”
This is the first Oscar nomination and win for the 25-year-old actor, who is best known for her roles in “Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood,” 2022’s “Scream,” and the critically acclaimed TV series “Better Things.”
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Yet, anyone who watched Madison grow up on their screens through her raw portrayal of the bratty Max Fox on “Better Things” is probably aware that this is just the beginning of a promising career for the young actor.