Who Is Mikey Madison? 5 Facts About the ‘Best Actress’ Winner

At just 25 years old, Mikey Madison made history at the 2025 Academy Awards by winning the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Anora, cementing her place as one of Hollywood’s most exciting new stars.

With this achievement, she became the ninth youngest actress ever to win the prestigious award, following in the footsteps of Jennifer Lawrence, who won the same honor in 2013 at age 22 for her role in Silver Linings Playbook.

But beyond her remarkable achievement, there is much more to this rising star’s journey.

Here are five interesting facts about Mikey Madison’s life and career:

1. Her First Oscar Nomination and Win

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The 2025 Academy Awards marked Mikey Madison’s debut at the Oscars, and she went home with the Best Actress trophy for her role in Anora. Despite growing up in Los Angeles, Hollywood always seemed distant to Madison.

However, her victory at the Oscars catapulted her to international recognition, making her one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood today. At just 25, she joined an exclusive group of young actresses to win this award, further solidifying her remarkable trajectory in the film industry.

2. Her Role in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood’

Before capturing the Best Actress award, Mikey Madison had already begun making a name for herself in Hollywood. One of her early breakout roles was in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood (2019), where she portrayed Sadie Atkins, a member of the infamous Manson Family. While the role was small, it opened many doors for Madison, including her breakthrough role in Anora. Director Sean Baker credited Tarantino for discovering Madison, highlighting that without Tarantino’s influence, Anora may never have come to fruition.

3. Her Passion for the Destigmatization of Sex Workers

Throughout the press tour for Anora and during her acceptance speeches at award shows, Mikey Madison has used her platform to advocate for the destigmatization of sex workers. In her BAFTA speech, she passionately addressed the sex worker community, saying, “I just want to say that I see you. You deserve respect and humanity. I will always be a friend and ally.”

She continued this message in her Oscar acceptance speech, stressing the importance of authentically and respectfully telling the stories of sex workers. Her dedication to supporting marginalized communities shows that Madison is more than just an actress—she’s a passionate advocate for social change.

4. She Was a Competitive Equestrian Athlete

You may not have guessed it, but Mikey Madison was once a competitive equestrian athlete. Growing up, she was homeschooled after seventh grade, a decision that allowed her more flexibility to pursue her love for riding.

Madison revealed in an interview with Esquire that her mother and grandmother were both passionate about horses, and it became a central part of her life. “I homeschooled myself so I could be in the stable with my pony all day,” she said. Although she enjoyed the ritual of horse care, Madison eventually realized that her true calling lay elsewhere.

5. She Has a Twin Brother

Mikey Madison was born on March 25, 1999, in Los Angeles, alongside her twin brother. Growing up with him, Madison always shared a close bond, and she referred to him as her “best friend” during her Oscar acceptance speech. However, their sibling relationship was a bit unique in their youth. Madison humorously recalled how her twin brother would often pretend they weren’t siblings when they were younger, especially when others would ask about them at school.

“My twin brother always pretended we weren’t siblings,” she joked, adding, “On the last day of school, people were like, ‘Miles, why are you getting in [Mikey’s] car with her?’ And he was like, ‘Oh, she’s my sister.’”