Mikey Madison pays tribute to sex worker community during Oscars speech

Mikey Madison thanked the sex worker community in her acceptance speech after winning Best Actress at the Oscars.

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The Los Angeles native won for her performance in Anora, where she plays a young stripper who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, played by Mark Eydelshteyn, during a trip to Las Vegas.

Madison’s Best Actress award was one of five wins for the film on Sunday night (March 2), including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker.

During her speech, she thanked the neighbourhood of Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, where the film was shot, and reaffirmed her gratitude to the sex worker community.

“Thank you Brighton Beach for lending us your beautiful backdrop, and incredible community. Also thank you to (dance co-ordinator) Kennady Schneider, thank you to our incredible consultants” she said. “I also just want to again recognise and honour the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally”.

Mikey Madison accepts the award for Best Actress for her role in "Anora," taking a moment to "recognize and honor the sex worker community."

"I will continue to support and be an ally."#Oscarshttps://t.co/nl9CxOviL4 pic.twitter.com/cPM8HccQtH

— ABC News (@ABC) March 3, 2025

“All of the incredible people, the women I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community has been one of the highlights of this entire incredible experience.
The actor also took time to pay tribute to her fellow nominees Cynthia Erivo, Karla Sofía Gascón, Demi Moore, and Fernanda Torres.

“I also just want to recognise the thoughtful intelligent beautiful breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. I’m honoured to be recognised alongside all of you” she said, before thanking director Sean Baker.

“This is a dream come true, I’m probably going to wake up tomorrow. Thank you so much Sean, I adore you. This is all because of you, thank you”.

Elsewhere, Adrien Brody won for his performance in The Brutalist, which angered fans of losing nominee Timothee Chalamet. Zoe Saldaña also ended up apologising following her win for Emilia Pérez, after being told the film was “really hurtful” for Mexicans.

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