The 97th Academy Awards was a night to remember, with Anora dominating the ceremony and taking home the coveted Best Picture award. Directed by Sean Baker, the film also earned Mikey Madison her first Oscar for Best Actress.
Anora, a tragicomedy about a Brooklyn sex worker navigating a complex relationship with a Russian oligarch’s son, won four Oscars. These included Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.
At just 25 years old, Mikey Madison delivered an award-winning performance as Anora, a role that required emotional depth and authenticity. Her portrayal earned widespread acclaim throughout the awards season, with wins at the BAFTA and Spirit Awards leading up to her Oscar victory. Madison’s preparation for the role included immersing herself in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach community to bring authenticity to her character.
Madison triumphed over strong competition in the Best Actress category, which included Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Demi Moore (The Substance), and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here). Gascón made history as the first transgender woman nominated in an acting category.
Adrien Brody won his second Oscar for Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, where he portrayed architect László Tóth in a post-World War II drama. In the supporting categories, Kieran Culkin took home Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, while Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez. Saldaña’s win marked a historic moment as she became the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien in his Oscars debut, the ceremony celebrated not only cinematic achievements but also resilience. The event opened with a tribute to Los Angeles following January’s devastating wildfires and featured a musical performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo from Wicked.
