Best Actress Oscar Nominee Mikey Madison, 25, Felt a Career Shift AfterAnora: 'Have My Fingers Crossed' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Mikey Madisonsays starring inAnorahas changed the trajectory of her career.

The 25-year-old actress, who appears in PEOPLE’s 2025 Oscar Portfolio, on stands now, says she’s “definitely” been getting some exciting offers since the film debuted last year to great acclaim.

“There are some things that I am really excited about and have my fingers crossed,” says the L.A. native and first-time Oscar nominee, who’s up for Best Actress alongsideDemi Moore(The Substance),Cynthia Erivo(Wicked),Fernanda Torres(I’m Still Here) andKarla Sofía Gascón(Emilia Pérez).

“My biggest dream is to continue a career in film,” continues Madison. “And so, I’m really hopeful that this year I’ll get to keep doing that.”

Mikey Madison photographed for PEOPLE on Feb. 6, 2025.Rosaline Shahnavaz

Rosaline Shahnavaz

Prior toAnora— about a brash stripper and sex worker from New York City who elopes with Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn) the irresponsible son of a wealthy and powerful Russian oligarch — Madison was best known for starring in the FX comedy seriesBetter Thingsand appearing in 2022’sScream.

Though she’s looking forward to her next projects, Madison is hoping to live in the moment and enjoy awards season. “I’ve gotten a lot of advice. I think just to try to stay present, not take yourself too seriously, is advice I think I consistently keep getting,” she says.

“And so I’m like, ‘Oh, am I taking myself, am I being too serious?’ But yeah, I mean, I think it’s really important though. I am constantly reminding myself to stay present, which is sort of a hard thing to remind yourself of,” she adds.

Mikey Madison in ‘Anora.'.Courtesy of TIFF

Courtesy of TIFF

“But I do feel often in my life I’m sort of living a little bit into the future, or too far back in time,” says Madison. “And so I’m really trying to just remember, keep certain memories to have forever. Maybe I should start journaling or something, because I really want to remember all of this.”

source: people.com