Dazed cover star Mikey Madison triumphed at the Oscars last night, taking home the best actress prize for her role in Anora.
Written and directed by Sean Baker, Anora is about a sex worker (played by Madison) who gets married to the young, feckless and extremely annoying son of a Russian oligarch. When his family finds out, they send over a squad of goons to force the couple to get an annulment, which leads to a nightmarishly stressful dash around New York. The film swept the board at last night’s ceremony, winning best picture, best editing, best original screenplay and best director, as well as Madison’s award. Sean Baker became the first person to personally win four Academy Awards for the same film.
At 25, Madison is one of the youngest ever best actress winners (she has knocked out Vivian Leigh, who was 26 when she won for Gone with the Wind, from the top 10.) She beat out Demi Moore, who was the favourite to win for her role in The Substance after winning at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
During her speech, Madison said: “This is very surreal. I grew up in Los Angeles but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here standing in this room today is really incredible.”
She also paid tribute to the sex worker community. “I will continue to support and be an ally,” she said. “All of the incredible people, the women I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community, have been one of the highlights of this entire incredible experience.”
Baker, while accepting the award for best screenplay, his first win of the night, also thanked the sex worker community. “They have shared their stories, they have shared their life experiences over the years, my deepest respect, I share this with you,” he said.