In many ways, Anora feels like a modern fairy tale—except this one comes with an unconventional twist. The titular character, Ani, isn’t a princess, but a stripper and occasional sex worker.
And her Prince Charming? The reckless, privileged son of a Russian oligarch.
When he impulsively proposes and they tie the knot in Las Vegas, Ani dares to believe that her dreams are finally coming true.
But as she soon discovers, not everyone is thrilled about their union.
For actress Mikey Madison, bringing Ani to life was nothing short of a dream role—one that allowed her to balance strength and vulnerability with raw intensity.
“I knew from the start that Ani was a deeply complex and layered character,” Madison explains. “She’s incredibly vulnerable, but she hides it behind a tough exterior—sometimes with aggression.
At her core, though, she’s hopeful. She believes this marriage could be her ‘happily ever after,’ and she’s willing to fight to keep it.”
Both the film and Madison’s gripping performance have generated massive awards buzz since Anora debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. Winning the prestigious Palme d’Or was an unforgettable moment for the actress.
“I’ve been working—well, trying to work—for almost a decade. Going to Cannes was my ultimate dream. And then to have our film not only in the main competition but actually win? That was surreal,” she says.
“Everything that has happened since has been an incredible, unexpected gift.”
Before Anora, Madison was best known for smaller roles, including in Scream V and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
But writer-director Sean Baker saw something special in her and crafted the role of Ani specifically with Madison in mind.
“She has this rare, magnetic presence,” Baker explains. “She’s naturally reserved, but when the moment calls for it, she can erupt with an intensity I’ve never seen in any other actor.
I was always looking forward to those moments on set, watching her go from total stillness to explosive emotion.”
The film itself defies traditional genre boundaries, seamlessly shifting between romance, thriller, drama, and even moments of dark comedy—something Madison embraced wholeheartedly.
“As an actor, sometimes it felt like I was shooting a love story, sometimes a horror film, sometimes a slapstick comedy,” she says. “Navigating Ani through all those shifts was a challenge, but I loved every second of it.”
At just 25 years old, Madison has become a major contender in the Best Actress race at the Oscars, having already secured nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs.
She finds the recognition almost overwhelming.
“I’m just processing it all,” she admits. “I’m beyond honored and grateful. It’s amazing, humbling, and surreal all at once.”
If Madison wins the Academy Award next month, she will join an elite group of young stars—including Jennifer Lawrence, Marlee Matlin, and Audrey Hepburn—who claimed the Best Actress title at an early age.
And while Anora may not be a traditional fairy tale, for Mikey Madison, this awards season just might have the perfect fairy tale ending.
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