Oscars 2025: Mikey Madison takes home award for best actress
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The Academy Award for best actress goes to Mikey Madison. She was awarded for her role in Anora, beating out fellow nominees Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Demi Moore (The Substance) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here).
“This is very surreal,” Madison began her speech. “I grew up in LA but Hollywood always felt so far for me. To be standing in this room is really incredible.” She then thanked a list of individuals, including her parents and siblings.
With Anora, Madison said her hope was to “honor the sex worker community,” for which she “will continue to support and be an ally.”
She then recognized the “breathtaking work” of the other women nominated in the category. “This is a dream come true,” she said.
The GLAAD Media Awards took place in Los Angeles Thursday night, honoring notable queer artists and projects that feature fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ+ community.
Among the winners announced onstage were Agatha All Along for outstanding new series, Baby Reindeer for outstanding limited or anthology series, Hacks for outstanding comedy series and 9-1-1: Lonestar for outstanding drama series.
Other winners announced in an offstage video reel included My Old A** for outstanding film – wide theatrical release, Heartstopper for outstanding kids and family programming or film – live action, and Crossing for outstanding film – limited theatrical release.
Cynthia Erivo received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for her LGBTQ+ advocacy.
The 36th GLAAD Media Awards will stream on Hulu starting Saturday, April 12.
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Zoe Saldaña responded to a reporter who had critiques of Emilia Pérez in the press room following her best supporting actress win at the 2025 Oscars Sunday.
The Mexican reporter set up their question by saying a lot has been said about trans people and empowering women, “but less has been said about Mexico, which is the heart of it.” The reporter asked Saldaña for her thoughts on that, a topic they said was “really hurtful for us Mexicans.”
Saldaña began by saying, “First of all, I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke and came from a place of love, and I will stand by that.”
“I don’t share your opinion,” Saldaña continued. “For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren’t making a film about a country. We were making a film about four women. And these women could have been Russian. They could have been Dominican. They could have been Black from Detroit. Could have been from Israel. Could have been from Gaza. And these women are still very universal women that are struggling every day at trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find their most authentic voices.”
Saldaña ended her response by saying, “So I will stand by that, but I’m also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters and with love and respect having a great conversation on how Emilia could have been done better. I have no problem. I welcome it.”
Saldaña’s response has received mixed reaction on social media, with some calling her response dismissive and disrespectful.
Heading into awards season, Emilia Pérez was a juggernaut film.
It was nominated for 13 awards at the 2025 Oscars, ultimately winning two: best supporting actress for Saldaña and best original song for “El Mal,” which Saldaña actually sang in the film.
The film has faced criticism for how it tackled its central themes — including from LGBTQ+ critics over its trans representation, those who took offense to previous comments by the film’s director, Jacques Audiard, about the Spanish language, and how the film depicted Mexican cartels and their victims.
In recent weeks, star Karla Sofía Gascón also came under fire for past offensive social media posts.
