Demi Moore was left crushed as Mikey Madison beat her to the coveted Best Actress award at the 2025 Oscars, on a night when Anora dominated with five wins including Best Picture.

Demi, 62, had been a clear front-runner and her fury was palpable as 25-year-old rising star Mikey’s name was called out in front of a stunned audience at the 97th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Other big winners on Sunday night included Zoe Saldana, who took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the controversial Emilia Perez, and Adrien Brody, who triumphed over Timothée Chalamet for the Best Actor award with his performance in the The Brutalist. Kieran Culkin kicked off the evening with a Best Supporting Actor win for A Real Pain.

Demi could be seen with a clenched jaw as her name wasn’t called, but she did say ‘nice’ to herself as she applauded Mikey’s big win.

It was a particularly surprising upset because Demi had won the actress award at most of the major pre-Oscar events for her role in The Substance.

Mikey portrays an escort in Anora, an independent film with a $6 million budget for which Sean Baker won Best Director. She recognized the sex worker community in a touching acceptance speech.

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Demi Moore was left crushed as Mikey Madison beat her to the coveted Best Actress award at the 2025 Oscars, on a night when Anora dominated with five wins including Best Picture

Demi Moore LOSES Best Actress to Mikey Madison at 2025 Oscars

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Mikey, 25, won the Best Actress award for her role as a sex worker in the drama Anora

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Adrien Brody, Mikey, Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin scooped the top four acting awards

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Another big winner included Zoe Saldana in the Best Supporting Actress category for the controversial Emilia Perez

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Adrien Brody (left) bested Timothee Chalamet for the Best Actor gong for The Brutalist as Kieran Culkin (right) kicked off the night with a Best Supporting Actor win for A Real Pain

She said: ‘I also just want to, again, recognize and honor the sex worker community. I will. 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 has been one of the highlights of this incredible experience.’

She concluded her speech by recognizing her fellow nominees including A-lister Demi.

Mikey said: ‘I also just want to recognize 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, I’m probably going to wake up tomorrow. Thank you so much, Sean [Baker], I adore you. This is all because of you. Thank you.’

At the end of the night the film earned top prize Best Picture Award over The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked.

Anora’s writer and director also earned three awards including: Best Original Screenplay, Achievement in Film Editing, and the coveted Best Director.

The film is centered around a young escort named Ani (played by Mikey) from Brooklyn meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairy tale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.

2025 Oscar Winners: AT A GLANCE

Best Picture: Anora

Actress in a Leading Role: Mikey Madison — Anora

Actor in a Leading Role: Adrien Brody — The Brutalist

Actress in a Supporting Role: Zoe Saldaña — Emilia Pérez

Actor in a Supporting Role: Kieran Culkin — A Real Pain

Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin are seen left to right

Best Director: Sean Baker — Anora

Original Screenplay: Sean Baker — Anora

Achievement in Film Editing: Sean Baker — Anora

Adapted Screenplay: Conclave — Peter Straughan

International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)

Documentary Feature Film: No Other Land

Achievement in Costume Design: Paul Tazewell — Wicked

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Demi could be seen with a clenched jaw as her name wasn’t called but did say ‘nice’ to herself as she applauded Mikey’s big win

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She had been tipped to win the Best Actress award for her role in The Substance but lost to Mikey in a shock upset on the night

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It was definitely considered an upset as Demi had earned the same prize at most of the awards season events for her work on The Substance as the field was completed by Cynthia Erivo — Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón — Emilia Pérez, and Fernanda Torres — I’m Still Here

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Mikey portrays an escort in Anora, an independent film with a $6 million budget for which Sean Baker won Best Director. She recognized the sex worker community in a touching acceptance speech

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She said: ‘I also just want to, again, recognize and honor the sex worker community. I will. Yes. I will continue to support and be an ally’

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She concluded her speech by recognizing her fellow nominees including A-lister Demi as Mikey said: ‘I also just want to recognize the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you’

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Mikey proudly held up her shiny new trophy

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The film is centered around a young escort named Ani (played by Mikey) from Brooklyn meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairy tale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled

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She looked absolutely stunning in the press room.

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In The Substance, Demi portrays a fading celebrity named Elisabeth who takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself

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At the end of the night the film earned top prize Best Picture Award over The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked

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Anora’s writer and director Sean Baker also earned three awards including: Best Original Screenplay, Achievement in Film Editing, and the coveted Best Director

Adrien Brody took home his second ever Best Actor award earlier in the night.

The 51-year-old actor  stopped the exit music from playing as he was recognized for his work in The Brutalist.

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He beat out an impressive field including: Timothée Chalamet — A Complete Unknown, Colman Domingo — Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes — Conclave, and Sebastian Stan — The Apprentice.

During his acceptance speech Adrien surpassed his allotted 45seconds  for his acceptance speech as he referenced his previous Oscar win.

He said:  ‘And 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 will be brief. I will not be egregious, I promise.

‘You know, I am — I’m oddly — I have to thank my mom and dad who are here, as well. And they’ve given me — they just created just such a strong foundation of respect. And of kindness and wonderful spirit, and they have given me the strength to pursue this dream.’

Adrien referenced the state of the world as he concluded his speech with a powerful message.

He concluded: ‘I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression. And of anti-semitism and racism and of othering, and I believe that — I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world, and I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.

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Adrien Brody took home his second ever Best Actor award at the 2025 Oscars

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The 51-year-old actor stopped the exit music from playing as he was recognized for his work in The Brutalist

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During his acceptance speech Adrien surpassed his allotted 45seconds for his acceptance speech as he referenced his previous Oscar win as he said: ‘And 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 will be brief. I will not be egregious, I promise. You know, I am — I’m oddly — I have to thank my mom and dad who are here, as well. And they’ve given me — they just created just such a strong foundation of respect. And of kindness and wonderful spirit, and they have given me the strength to pursue this dream’

Adrien Brody tosses his gum to partner Georgina Chapman

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In The Brutalist the talented actress portrays visionary architect László Tóth who flees post-war Europe with his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern United States, their lives are changed forever by a mysterious, wealthy client

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Adrien was seen embracing his fellow nominee Timothee Chalamet

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He is seen showing off his latest Oscar in the press room

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Adrian previously won Best Actor for his work on classic film The Piano back in 2003 where he infamously kissed Halle Berry

‘Okay, I’ll get out of here. I love you. I appreciate you all. Let’s fight for what’s right. Keep smiling, keep loving one another. Let’s rebuild together. Thank you.’

In The Brutalist the talented actress portrays visionary architect László Tóth who flees post-war Europe with his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern United States, their lives are changed forever by a mysterious, wealthy client.

Adrian previously won Best Actor for his work on classic film The Piano back in 2003 where he infamously kissed Halle Berry.

Zoe Saldaña shook the controversy surrounding her film Emilia Pérez as she earned Best Supporting Actress.

The show hit a high note as the 46-year-old American actress was crowned for the Netflix film.

She triumphed over: Monica Barbaro — A Complete Unknown, Ariana Grande — Wicked, Felicity Jones — The Brutalist, and Isabella Rossellini — Conclave.

Zoe became the first ever Oscar winner of Dominican descent  and made sure to thank her ancestors for paving the way to have a successful acting career in America.

She said: ‘My grandmother came to this country in 1961 — I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American on Dominican origin to accept an academy award, and I know I will not be the last. I hope.

‘The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish, my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted, this is for my grandmother. Thank you so much. Thank you.’

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Zoe Saldaña shook the controversy surrounding her film Emilia Pérez as she earned Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Oscars

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The 46-year-old American actress was crowned for the Netflix film triumphed over: Monica Barbaro — A Complete Unknown, Ariana Grande — Wicked, Felicity Jones — The Brutalist, and Isabella Rossellini — Conclave

Emilia Pérez has earned a tide of negative publicity after racist and Islamophobic tweets from her costar Karla Sofía Gascón — some quite recent — were discovered.

Netflix went so far as to stop covering Gascón’s travel for awards shows, but she did appear at the Oscars.

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In Emilia Perez, Zoe plays Rita Mora Castro who is a lawyer as the film is centered around four remarkable women pursuing their individual happiness in Mexico.

Cartel leader Emilia (played by Gascon) enlists Rita, an unappreciated lawyer, to help fake her death so that she can finally live authentically as her true self.

The award show started out in fine form as Kieran Culkin took home the first award of the night.

It kicked off with the 42-year-old actor taking home Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in A Real Pain.

He beat out an impressive field including: Yura Borisov — Anora, Edward Norton — A Complete Unknown, Guy Pearce — The Brutalist, and his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong — The Apprentice.

Kieran started out his acceptance speech by acknowledging Strong – who portrayed his brother Kendall Roy on the highly-popular HBO series – with profanity as the broadcast had bleeped much of the acknowledgement.

He said: ‘Jeremy you’re amazing in The Apprentice, I love your work, it’s f***ing – there we go, I cursed, I didn’t mean to, and I’m not supposed to single anyone out as favouritism, but you were great.

‘And I’ve already lost whatever speech I prepared, 20 seconds in.’

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Zoe became the first ever Oscar winner of Dominican descent and made sure to thank her ancestors for paving the way to have a successful acting career in America

Marvelous in Maroon! Zoe Saldana turns heads at the 2025 Oscars

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Zoe stunned on Hollywood’s biggest night

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Emilia Pérez has earned a tide of negative publicity after racist and Islamophobic tweets from her costar Karla Sofía Gascón — some quite recent — were discovered as Netflix went so far as to stop covering Gascón’s travel for awards shows, but she did appear at the Oscars

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In Emilia Perez, Zoe (pictured left) plays Rita Mora Castro who is a lawyer as the film is centered around four remarkable women pursuing their individual happiness in Mexico; she is shown alongside Gascon

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Zoe flashed a massive smile as she posed with her shiny new trophy in the press room

He finished off the speech by acknowledging his wife Jazz Charton  and shared a sweet story which began: ‘I love you, Jazz. I have to thank my wife Jazz.

‘Please don’t play the music, because I want to tell a really quick story about Jazz.’

The couple share two children: a 5-year-old daughter Kinsey Sioux, and a 3-year-old son Wilder Wolf.

Kieran continued: ‘A year ago, I said that I want a third kid, because she said if I won the award, she would give me the kid. Turns out she said that because she didn’t think I was going to win. But — and people came up to me and were like, you know, really annoying her, it got to her.

‘But anyway — after the show we’re walking through a parking lot, she’s holding the Emmy, she goes, oh, god, I did say that. I guess I owe you a third kid. I turned to her, I said, really, I want four. And she turned to me, I swear to god this happened, she said, I will give you four when you win an Oscar.

‘I held my hand out, she shook it and I have not brought it up once until just now. You remember that, honey? Then I just have to say to you, jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith — No pressure. I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again. And let’s get cracking on those kids, what do you say? I love you. I love. I love you.’

A Real Pain – directed and written by Jesse Eisenberg – stars Eisenberg and Culkin as mismatched cousins who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but their old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

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The 2025 Oscars started out in fine form as Kieran Culkin took home the first award of the night

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The 42-year-old actor took home Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in A Real Pain. He beat out an impressive field including: Yura Borisov — Anora, Edward Norton — A Complete Unknown, Guy Pearce — The Brutalist, and his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong — The Apprentice

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Kieran started out his acceptance speech by acknowledging Strong – who portrayed his brother Kendall Roy on the highly-popular HBO series – with plenty of profanities as the broadcast had bleeped much of the acknowledgement

Kieran Culkin reveals wife ‘owes him a child’ after Oscars win

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He finished off the speech by acknowledging his wife Jazz Charton and shared a sweet story which began: ‘I love you, Jazz. I have to thank my wife Jazz.

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The couple share two children: a 5-year-old daughter Kinsey Sioux, and a 3-year-old son Wilder Wolf

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A Real Pain – directed and written by Jesse Eisenberg – stars Eisenberg and Culkin as mismatched cousins who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but their old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history

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Kieran had a big smile on his face as he held up the Oscar in the crowd

Paul Tazewell became the first Black male winner of Achievement in Costume Design for his work in Wicked.

The 60-year-old American costume designer for the theatre, dance, and opera and television was up against: A Complete Unknown — Arianne Phillips, Conclave — Lisy Christl, Gladiator II — Janty Yates and Dave Crossman, and Nosferatu — Linda Muir.

Paul was emotional during his acceptance speech as he said: ‘ This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, academy. For this very significant honor. I’m the first Black man to receive costume design award. For my work on Wicked. I’m so proud of this.

‘Thank you everyone in the UK for all of your beautiful work. I could not have done this without you. My Ozian muses, Cynthia and Ariana, I love you so much. All the other cast, thank you, thank you, thank you for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything.’

No Other Land earned Best Documentary as the directors  gave a speech about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Selena Gomez, 32, and Samuel L. Jackson, 76, presented the best documentary award to the four activists who made the movie, two of them Israeli and two Palestinian.

No Other Land is fiercely critical of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and stars two of its directors – Palestinian Basel Adra and Israeli Yuval Abraham.

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Paul Tazewell became the first Black male winner of Achievement in Costume Design for his work in Wicked

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The 60-year-old American costume designer for the theatre, dance, and opera and television was up against: A Complete Unknown — Arianne Phillips, Conclave — Lisy Christl, Gladiator II — Janty Yates and Dave Crossman, and Nosferatu — Linda Muir

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Jonathan Bailey and other castmembers are seen wearing costumes designed by Tazewell

The two men delivered impassioned speeches from the Oscars stage denouncing the displacement of the Palestinians, as well as Israel’s assault on Gaza in the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas in 2023.

Early in the Oscars speech, Adra spoke about ‘always fearing settlers’ violence, home demolition and forced displacement’ amid the ‘Israeli occupation.’

He also issued a call to ‘the world to take serious actions to stop the un-justice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.’

Abraham then stepped in, noting that Palestinians and Israelis collaborated on the film ‘because together our voices are stronger.’

He then slated ‘the atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people, which must end,’ while also condemning ‘the crime of October 7,’ adding that the ‘brutally taken’ Israeli hostages ‘must be freed’ by Hamas.

Referring to Adra, he said: ‘When I look at Basel, I see my brother, but we are unequal. We live in a regime where I am free under civilian law, and Basel is under military laws that destroy his life and he cannot control.’

He urged the parties to seek ‘a different path, a political solution without ethnic supremacy, with national rights for both of our people,’ and argued to the American audience that US foreign policy was ‘helping to block this path.’

When it came to the best Adapted Screenplay category it was Peter Straughan who won for Conclave.

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No Other Land earned Best Documentary as the directors gave a speech about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra is seen giving a speech about ‘always fearing settlers’ violence, home demolition and forced displacement’ amid the ‘Israeli occupation’

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Selena Gomez, 32, and Samuel L. Jackson, 76, presented the best documentary award to the four activists who made the movie, two of them Israeli and two Palestinian

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Israeli filmmaker Yuval Abraham, pictured at the  mic, slated ‘the atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people, which must end,’ while also condemning ‘the crime of October 7’

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Abraham urged the parties to seek ‘a different path, a political solution’ and argued to the American audience that US foreign policy was ‘helping to block this path’

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No Other Land is fiercely critical of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and stars two of its directors – Palestinian Basel Adra and Israeli Yuval Abraham

He won over: A Complete Unknown — James Mangold and Jay Cocks, Emilia Pérez — Jacques Audiard with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius and Nicolas Livecchi, Nickel Boys — RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes, and Sing Sing — Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar; Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John ‘Divine G’ Whitfield.

The show began with an incredible medley from Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

The Academy Awards are honoring the best films of 2024, with the star-studded ceremony being held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Conan O’Brien, 61, made his debut as Oscars host, after joking: ‘I only agreed to host so that I could get invited.’

During his monologue, Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofia Gascon looked awkward as she was pictured in the crowd Sunday at the 97th Academy Awards, while host Conan fired off a few jokes about her tweet scandal.

Gascón, 52, appeared to be uncomfortable in her seat in the event, which stemmed from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, as O’Brien rattled off a series of remarks about the controversy she was involved in after unsavory old tweets resurfaced.

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When it came to the best Adapted Screenplay category it was Peter Straughan who won for Conclave

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The show began with an incredible medley from Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

Conan O’Brien makes savage Kendrick-Drake joke at the Oscars

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Conan O’Brien kicked off the show with a hilarious monologue

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O’Brien rattled off a series of remarks about the controversy she was involved in after unsavory old tweets resurfaced

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Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofia Gascon, 52, looked awkward as she was pictured in the crowd Sunday at the 97th Academy Awards from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood