Oscars 2025: Mikey Madison Honours 'Sex Worker Community' In Best Actress Win, Adrien Brody Halts Music To Finish Best Actor Speech

Oscars 2025: Mikey Madison and Adrien Brody emerged as two of the biggest winners, with both stars securing the top acting honours for their performances in 'Anora' and 'The Brutalist,' respectively. 

Oscars 2025: Mikey Madison and Adrien Brody emerged as two of the biggest winners, with both stars securing the top acting honours.

Source : IMDb, Instagram/@officialmikeymadison

Oscars 2025: Mikey Madison and Adrien Brody emerged as two of the biggest winners at the 97th Academy Awards, with both stars securing the top acting honours for their performances in 'Anora' and 'The Brutalist,' respectively. 

Mikey Madison wins Best Actress

Madison clinched the Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of a Brooklyn-based stripper in Sean Baker’s 'Anora.’ The film, which had already positioned itself as a strong contender in multiple categories, continued its winning streak at the ceremony. Madison had previously claimed Best Actress awards at the BAFTAs and the Spirit Awards, solidifying her momentum leading up to the Oscars. 

Mikey Madison's acceptance speech

Overwhelmed with emotion as she accepted the award, Madison reflected on her journey, saying, "This is very surreal. 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." 

She took a moment to express her appreciation for the sex worker community, stating, "I just want to recognise and honor the sex worker community. Yes. I will continue to support and be an ally. All of the incredible people, the women that I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community, have been one of the highlights of this incredible experience." 

The actress also paid tribute to her fellow nominees—Fernanda Torres, Cynthia Erivo, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Demi Moore—acknowledging their exceptional work. "I also just want to recognise the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you. This is a dream come true." 

Adrien Brody wins Best Actor

Meanwhile, Adrien Brody took home his second Oscar for Best Actor, earning the prestigious award for his performance in Brady Corbet’s 'The Brutalist.' Brody’s win places him among an elite group of actors who have won the award twice, joining the ranks of Spencer Tracy, Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, and Anthony Hopkins. His previous Best Actor win came in 2003 for his unforgettable role in 'The Pianist.' 

Nominated alongside Timothée Chalamet ('A Complete Unknown'), Colman Domingo ('Sing Sing'), Ralph Fiennes ('Conclave'), and Sebastian Stan ('The Apprentice'), Brody made a memorable entrance on stage. In a lighthearted moment, he casually spit out his chewing gum into his hand and tossed it to his partner, Georgina Chapman. 

Adrien Brody's acceptance speech

As the orchestra began to play him off towards the end of his speech, Brody quipped, "I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off. I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief." 

Adrien Brody reflected on the fleeting nature of success, stating, “It looks very glamorous and at certain moments, it is. But the one thing that I’ve gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective, and no matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away.” 

Using his time on stage to highlight both the themes of his film and broader societal issues, Brody addressed the lasting effects of war, systemic oppression, and discrimination. He spoke about “the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and of othering.” Concluding on a note of optimism, he expressed hope for “a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world,” 

In 'The Brutalist,' Brody delivers a powerful performance as László Tóth, a Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor who moves to the United States in search of a new beginning.