Aor star Mikey Madison is a newly minted Academy Award winner taking home the Best Actress statuette at the Los Angeles celebration this evening. This is her first nomination for an Oscar and her first win.
With an evening full of mostly predictable wins, even Madison seemed taken aback when Emma Stone revealed her name as the Oscar winner for her breakout role as the titular Anora “Ani” Mikheeva in Sean Baker’s critically acclaimed romantic dramedy. While Madison won top acting honors at the BAFTA and the Independent Spirit Awards, Demi Moore secured Golden Globe, Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild Awards this season.
“Wow, this is very surreal. Forgive me, I’m nervous,” Madison said in her acceptance speech. “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,” she added.
Cast and crew including Alex Coco, Mikey Madison, Sean Baker, Yura Borisov, and Mark Eydelshteyn accept the Best Picture award for “Anora” onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
In addition to Moore, Madison competed for the Best Actress Oscar with Fernanda Torres from I’m Still HereCynthia Erivo from Wicked and Karla Sofia Gascon for Emilia Perezall of whom she celebrated on stage.
“I want to recognize the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you. This is a dream come true,” Madison shared.
Aor is a Cinderella-esque film following Ani, a sex worker who, through a chance meeting, connects with the son of a rich Russian oligarch, Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), whom she marries during a wild trip to Las Vegas. The film questions whether Ani’s fairytale could be a reality, which comes to a head when Vanya’s parents discover not only that their son married without their permission but also who he has married. They head directly to New York City to clean up his mess again, but the lovebirds may not be so keen.
To play the character, Madison learned to speak Russian, spent many months learning how to dance, consulted with sex workers and did all her own stunts during the fight scenes.
Aor received five Oscars, including Madison’s win for Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing. Both Baker and Madison honored the sex worker community in their speeches.
“I want to again recognize and honor the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally of all the incredible people, the women I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community. It has been one of the highlights of this entire incredible experience,” said Madison.
