Who Is Mikey Madison? Here Are 5 Facts About the Anora Oscar Winner

Anora won big at the 97th Academy Awards, winning five Oscars including best picture. But who is Mikey Madison, the 25-year-old star who won best actress for the film?

Here are some facts about one of Hollywood’s most exciting new young stars, from her childhood to her family and more.

1. Madison was a competitive equestrian athlete

Who would have thought it: Mikey Madison was a horse girl. In an interview with The Cut, Madison revealed that she was homeschooled after seventh grade. This allowed her to organize her time more freely and go riding a lot. She told Esquire that both her mother and grandmother rode horses and that it was almost easier for her than walking.

“I homeschooled myself so I could be in the stable with my pony all day,” she said. “I loved the ritual of going to the stable and looking after my horse, but it’s kind of an isolating sport. I felt called in a different direction.”

2. Madison was in a Quentin Tarantino movie

You’ve probably been asking yourself, who is Mikey Madison? Haven’t I seen her somewhere before? And the answer is likely yes—if you’re a Tarantino fan.

Madison played her first major role in 2015 in the independent film Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey. She then appeared in the Bravo show Imposters and in the TV series Better Things. She had a small role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood where she played Manson family member Susan Atkins. Scream V, starring Jenna Ortega, was her biggest screen moment before Anora.

Anora director Sean Baker said in his speech for best director that without Tarantino, he would never have come across Madison and the film would never have been made. So he owes him a lot. Tarantino then presented him with one of the three Oscars he won that evening.

3. Destigmatization of sex workers is close to her heart

During the press tour for Anora and also in her (many) acceptance speeches during awards season, Madison emphasized the importance of respect for sex workers. In her BAFTA speech, she said to the sex worker community: “I just want to say that I see you. You deserve respect and humanity. I will always be a friend and ally.”

In her Oscar speech, she expressed her support for the sex worker community and emphasized the importance of telling their stories authentically and respectfully.

Madison was born on March 25, 1999, in Los Angeles and grew up with her twin brother, two older sisters, and an older brother.

During her speech at the 2025 Oscars, she thanked her twin, whom she describes as her “best friend,” even if “he can’t help it.” Madison has spoken in previous interviews about how her brother always pretended they weren’t siblings when the pair were younger.