# Mikey Madison wins best actress Oscar for Anora

 has won the best actress Oscar in Los Angeles for her role in .

The actor, who will be 26 later this month, is the ninth youngest woman to take the prize, for her performance as the titular sex worker who falls for the immature son of a Russian billionaire in Sean Baker’s comedy-drama, which won the  last year.

In his review, the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw praised Madison as “terrific” in the role, adding that “she owns the screen”. Baker wrote the role for the young actor, whose highest-profile film roles before Anora were bit parts in a Scream film, and playing a member of Charles Manson’s cult in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

“This is very surreal,” said Madison on stage. “I grew up in LA but Hollywood always felt so far for me. To be standing in this room is really incredible.”

She thanked “my mom and my dad and sister and little brother and and twin brother, Miles, for being my best friend – not that you have a choice”, as well as the community of Brighton Beach.

Madison went on to echo her sentiments at the Baftas, saying that she wanted to “recognise and honour the sex worker community. I will continue to support you and be an ally.”

She explained further than meeting “all the incredible women” was one of the “highlights of the experience”.

“This is a dream come true,” she concluded. “Or am I going to wake up tomorrow?”

Madison beat  Demi Moore – nominated for body horror The Substance – to the Oscar, as well as fellow nominees , , and . Moore’s run of awards in the lead-up to the Oscars was unbroken until Madison unexpectedly .

She followed that with the . Anora’s gathering of momentum was also noticeable at the Writers Guild of America awards and the  in the US, where it won best picture.

The 97th Academy Awards are taking place in Los Angeles.

**Read more about the 2025 Oscars:**

- Anora wins best  and Conclave wins best  screenplay
-  and  win supporting prizes
-  wins best documentary and  wins best animated feature
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