Mikey Madison gained the coveted Finest Actress award on the 2025 BAFTAs for her position in Sean Baker’s Anora, which was tipped to win on the ceremony however misplaced out to pope choice thriller Conclave. In Anora, Mikey performs erotic dancer and intercourse employee Ani who begins a whirlwind romance with rich shopper Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch, ultimately falling in love and – spoiler alert! – marrying him.
Mikey’s win comes of welcome shock – the up-and-comer confronted stiff competitors from the likes of Demi Moore in The Substance, Marianne Jena-Baptiste for Arduous Truths, Cynthia Erivo for Depraved, Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun, and Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez. The 25-year-old was the youngest nominee within the class and was additionally nominated for the ‘Rising Star’ award. We could not be happier that our pink carpet favorite has been recognised for her expertise.
Courtesy Everett Assortment
Courtesy Everett Assortment
After emotionally thanking director Sean Baker – “You’re such an unbelievable particular person… You made my desires come true” – in addition to her mom and fellow nominees, Mikey powerfully used her acceptance speech to honour the intercourse employee group.
“I wish to take a second to recognise the intercourse employee group. I wish to say that I see you; you deserve respect and human decency – I’ll all the time be a pal and ally, and I implore others to do the identical.”
This is not the primary time Mikey Madison has used her platform and her position to reward the intercourse employee group. In an interview with Selection in October 2024, Mikey spoke how they hosted a screening of the movie for real-life intercourse employees and strippers.
