Mikey Madison won the best actress Oscar Sunday for “Anora,” and took a moment to “recognize and honor the sex worker community” in her acceptance speech.

Anora”'s Mikey Madison wins Best Actress over Demi Moore, honors sex workers in tearful speech: 'I will continue to support'

“I will continue to support and be an ally,” Madison said. “All of the incredible people, the women that I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community, has been one of the highlights of this entire incredible experience.”

In “Anora” — which also won the Oscar for best picture — Madison plays the titular character, a sex worker who is thrown into a world of chaos after she marries the son of a Russian oligarch.

Mikey Madison accepts the Oscar for Best Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role for ‘Anora’ during the 97th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Mar. 2, 2025.
Allison Dinner/EPA-EFE/Shuttersterstock

This is 25-year-old Madison’s first Oscar nomination and win.

“To be here standing in this room today is really incredible,” the young actress said.

Mikey Madison accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Anora” during the Oscars, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
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Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldana, and Kieran Culkin, pose in the press room at the Oscar, Mar. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.

Adrien Brody, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for ‘The Brutalist,’ Mikey Madison, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for…
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The category was presented by last year’s best actress winner, “Poor Things” star Emma Stone.

“I also just want to recognize the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you,” she said, as the camera panned to her fellow nominee Demi Moore, who put her hands over her heart and smiled as she looked up at Madison.

“This is a dream come true,” Madison said.

Mikey Madison wins the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Anora” during the Oscars show at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, March 2, 2025.
Carlos Barria/Reuters

The other nominees for best actress were Moore for “The Substance”; Cynthia Erivo for “Wicked”; Karla Sofía Gascón for “Emilia Pérez”; and Fernanda Torres for “I’m Still Here.”