Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Mar 12, 2025
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Mikey Madison, the breakout star of ‘Anora‘, took home the Best Actress Oscar, topping industry veteran Demi Moore, who many believed was finally due for the win after years of acclaimed performances, including her most recent work in ‘The Substance‘.
Madison, best known for her roles in the five-time Oscar-winning film ‘Anora’, ‘Scream‘ and ‘Scream VI‘, ‘Lady in the Lake‘,’Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’, and ‘Better Things’, is just beginning to rise in her career—and we can expect big things from her in the future.
A Career-Shaping Night
“I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me,” Madison said moments after accepting her first Oscar at 25 years old.
Her award-winning performance in ‘Anora’ sees her as a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, only to find herself caught up in his family’s powerful and dangerous world. The role challenged Madison both physically and emotionally, marking a defining moment in her rising career.
During her acceptance speech, Madison took time to acknowledge the real and often overlooked sex worker community, saying, “I just wanted to recognize and honor the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally. All of the incredible women I have had the privilege of meeting from that community have been one of the highlights of this entire experience.”
Sean Baker, the film’s director, known for his raw and immersive storytelling, crafted ‘Anora’ as a deep dive into the lives of sex workers.
Madison has openly credited her time spent with sex workers as instrumental in shaping her portrayal of Ani, helping her bring authenticity and depth to the character.
Although many are celebrating the success of this rising star, her Oscar win has sparked some controversy. With strong competition, including Demi Moore for ‘The Substance’, Karla Sofía Gascón for ‘Emilia Pérez’, Cynthia Erivo for ‘Wicked’, and Fernanda Torres for ‘I’m Still Here’, all vying for the Best Actress nomination, the debate around her win has become a subject of debate.
Moore had previously won the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, and SAG Award for Best Actress, while Madison secured the BAFTA Award—solidifying her as a strong contender.
At 25, Madison has made history as the first Gen Z actor to win in an acting category.
Regardless of the discourse, Madison’s victory establishes her place as one of Hollywood’s most promising rising stars.
The 97th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien serving as the host. Click here to see a recap of all of the wins and losses of this year’s Oscars Ceremony.
The shy girl… but definitely not the way we know her now. With her roles in ‘Anora’ as a sex worker, along with her performances in ‘Scream’ and ‘Better Things’, it’s clear that she’s anything but shy.
But under all that Hollywood glitz and fame lies a humble, down-to-earth, hard-working actress, doing her job and staying as true to herself as possible—something many stars struggle with in the face of fame.
For now, the celebrated star shared with reporters at The Academy Awards that more than anything, she’s excited to be present in the moment and brought back down to earth.
When asked about how she hopes the Oscar might impact her career, she explained, “I’ve been reflecting a lot on both the past and the future. But I’m really focusing on staying present so I don’t get caught up in what’s ahead. I honestly don’t know what the future holds. I just want to keep making movies, collaborating with inspiring people, and playing interesting roles in compelling stories.”
She added, “I do know that tonight, I’ll be going home to my new puppies, probably cleaning up after them, and that’s going to keep me grounded.”
Despite her on-camera confidence, Madison actually battled social anxiety, even when it came to speaking in class.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Madison had a pretty normal upbringing—her family was nowhere near the entertainment industry. Her father is a schizophrenia specialist, and her mother worked with children.
In an interview with Interview Magazine, Madison shared that her passion for acting began when her sister married a writer, which introduced her to the world of storytelling. Growing up, she was also influenced by her father’s love for films, often watching works by Woody Allen, Quentin Tarantino, Sofia Coppola, and Martin Scorsese, which further fueled her interest in acting.
Madison was homeschooled and spent plenty of her childhood devoted to horseback riding, a passion she was practically born into.
At 14, she made the life-changing decision to pursue acting full-time. Acting became something greater than herself—an opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level, more of a human-to-human connection, and explore the world through diverse, challenging roles, like her portrayal in ‘Anora’.
Her career took off at 16, when she was cast as one of Pamela Adlon’s three daughters in ‘Better Things’.
At 19, she landed the role of Sadie in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’. This role became a turning point in her career, inspiring Sean Baker’s vision for ‘Anora’—a connection that would shape her future in ways she never saw coming.
Her most recent film thriller series before ‘Anora’ was her lead role as Judith Weinstein in ‘Lady in the Lake’ (2024).
Madison’s story serves as a reminder that staying true to who you are can get you a lot farther than you think, especially in such a demanding industry where you’re paid to be anyone but.
This side of her story pulls back the curtain on her rise to stardom—from her early days navigating the acting world to her breakthrough in ‘Better Things’ and her career-defining role in ‘Anora’.
From battling deep-seated shyness to navigating the harsh realities of Hollywood, her struggles didn’t just push her to succeed—they redefined what success truly means.
Her journey is a testament to aspiring actors everywhere—never shy away from who you are. Even when you feel like the biggest misfit, remember, that’s what makes you stand out. Rise above the noise.
Sean Baker’s Cinematic Muse: How Mikey Madison Inspired ‘Anora’
There would be no ‘Anora’ without Mikey Madison. Sean Baker has made it clear that when writing the screenplay, he couldn’t envision making the film unless Madison took on the lead role.
Baker was captivated by Madison’s performance in ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’. It wasn’t just the character she played—it was her. Something about her presence, passion, and gift to dominate the screen struck him. He knew she was the one to bring ‘Anora’ to life.
In Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’, Madison portrayed Sadie, one of the Manson girls in the star-studded movie. Set in 1969 Los Angeles, the film centers a fading actor and his stunt double as they try to find their footing in a shifting Hollywood landscape, leading up to the infamous Manson Family attacks.
Madison’s chilling performance cemented her talent alongside industry giants, solidifying her as a rising star. That role didn’t just put her on the map—it sparked the vision for ‘Anora’.
Keep an Eye Out: What’s Next for These Actors and Filmmakers?
And what’s next for these next actors and filmmakers? Well, Sean Baker and Mikey Madison both seem to be keeping things pretty hush, as neither has announced their upcoming projects yet.
On the other hand, Quentin Tarantino has teased in multiple interviews with press outlets that his ‘final movie’ is set to begin filming in December of this year.
By Emma Gladstone
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
