Anora star Mikey Madison took home the best actress award at the 2025 Oscars, beating out Demi Moore who many presumed would win for her role in The Substance.

“I grew up in Los Angeles but Hollywood always felt so far away from me,” said Madison in her speech from the Dolby stage on Sunday night. In Anora, Madison played a Brooklyn sex worker who meets and marries the son of a Russian oligarch, after which she runs afoul of his powerful family.

Madison said in her speech, “I just wanted to recognize and honor the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally. All of the incredible women I have had the privilege of meeting from that community have been one of the highlights of this entire experience.”

During The Hollywood Reporter’s actress roundtable Madison talked about how speaking with sex workers influenced her performance. “It’s not only physically demanding, but it’s mentally demanding as well, because you’re having to walk up to someone and immediately try to connect with them,” she said. “And then physically, you’re on your feet all day, dancing in these really tall stilettos. Just understanding the stamina that comes with that.”

Madison’s win comes as an upset, with many awards prognosticators having tapped Demi Moore winning the best actress Oscar for her role in The Substance. Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) were also nominated in the category. While Moore took home the Golden Globe award for best actress, Madison notably won the SAG award.

The 25-year-old Madison also has become the first Gen Z winner in an acting category.

The 97th Academy Awards were hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. See the star-studded Oscars red carpet 2025 arrivals and the full winners list here.