Mikey Madison’s Rise as Oscar Contender After Role in ‘Anora’

LOS ANGELES, CA — Mikey Madison, a 25-year-old actress, has emerged as a frontrunner for an Academy Award nomination following her acclaimed role in the 2024 film “Anora.” The film, which tells the story of a young woman who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, has received accolades, including a nomination for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards.

Madison’s performance as Anora, the titular character, has garnered widespread critical praise, leading to accolades at various awards shows, including the prestigious Film Independent Spirit Awards where she took home the award for Best Lead Performance. Reflecting on her newfound fame, Madison admitted to The Cut, “I think some of it doesn’t seem super genuine. Like old friends coming out of the woodwork. Ex-boyfriends reaching out to me. ‘Hey, wanna grab a coffee or something.’ Why? Because you’ve seen me on billboards?”

Born in Los Angeles and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Madison grew up in a family of psychologists with her twin brother and multiple siblings. She initially pursued a career in horseback riding before shifting her focus to acting at age 14. Her early experience came from television roles and short films, with significant recognition following her role in the FX series “Better Things” as Pamela Adlon’s daughter. Madison described the show as her “introduction to acting, my college, my film school, really everything.”

Madison has built a remarkable film resume, including her notable performance in Quentin Tarantino’s film “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,” and her recent work in the “Scream” franchise. She expressed surprise at the immense fan base surrounding the horror genre, stating, “I have to be honest, when I did the film, it sounds naive, but I wasn’t so aware of the huge fan base that the franchise has, that I’ve now been able to discover.”

Director Sean Baker discovered Madison through her performance in “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” and decided to write the screenplay for “Anora” specifically for her, even without an audition. “I said ‘yes’ even before I read the script,” she said, acknowledging her admiration for Baker’s work. “I knew whatever he created was something I would want to be a part of.”

To prepare for the demanding role of Anora, who works as a dancer, Madison trained in pole dancing and learn Russian language skills. She described this preparation during an interview with The Cut, noting, “I wanted every aspect of Ani’s career and what she does to be realistic—but also, that’s not her entire life; that’s just her job.”

Madison’s dedication to the role proved to be transformative for her, with the actress stating, “Playing Anora has been genuinely life-changing.” As awards season progresses, Madison is taking a thoughtful approach to her next project, stating, “I know who I am as an actor and an artist now… I want to feel—even just a little bit—the way I felt making Sean’s movie on my next.”

Having achieved recognition and acclaim in a relatively short period, Madison’s ascent in Hollywood showcases the hard work and passion she invested throughout her career. As she prepares for Oscar night, the actress is reflective on her journey, appreciating the opportunities that have arisen from her role in “Anora.” With six nominations under its belt, including Best Director for Baker, Madison’s performance is poised to captivate both audiences and critics alike.