Mikey Madison named Best Actress for Anora

Mikey Madison said it was “surreal” to take home the Best Actress in a Leading Role prize.

The 25-year-old star took home the accolade ahead of competitors Cynthia Erivo (‘Wicked’), Karla Sofía Gascón (‘Emilia Perez’), Demi Moore (‘The Substance’) and Fernanda Torres (‘I’m Still Here’), and admitted she was “nervous” to have to give a speech after her shock win.

Speaking from the stage, she said: “Wow, this is very surreal. Forgive me, I'm nervous so I'm going to read off a paper. Thank you so much to the Academy. I grew up in Los Angeles but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here, standing in this room today is really incredible.”

Madison plays a young exotic dancer who marries the son of a Russian oligarch in 'Anora' and during her speech she vowed to “support and be an ally” to that group of women in the future.

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