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Mikey Madison is rapidly establishing herself as one of Hollywood’s most captivating young talents. After years of remarkable performances in independent films and critically acclaimed television roles, the 26-year-old actress achieved a significant milestone by winning Best Actress at the 2025 Oscars for her deeply moving portrayal in Sean Baker’s Anora. With her name now shining bright in the entertainment industry, she is also rumored to be in discussions for the highly anticipated Social Network Part II.

Are you unfamiliar with Mikey Madison? Don’t worry; HollywoodLife has compiled five essential facts that you need to know about this rising star, which we’ve detailed below for your convenience.

Discover Mikey Madison’s Background as a Competitive Horseback Rider

Before her illustrious acting career took off, Mikey was deeply immersed in a different world—competitive horseback riding. Growing up in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, she dedicated her early years to mastering the art of equestrian sports. However, everything changed when she turned 15. “All of a sudden, I became really interested in this,” she recounted to Vulture in April 2019, reflecting on her transition into acting. “I’m not really sure what sparked that in my head, but it did. My dad’s a big film buff, so I think I acquired some of those traits.” Despite no family members being involved in acting, Mikey noted that she “met the right people along the way and got really lucky,” showcasing the serendipitous nature of her journey.

Learn About Mikey Madison’s Siblings and Family Dynamics

Mikey comes from a large and dynamic family. “I have two older sisters who are in their 30s, a twin brother, and another brother,” she shared with InStyle in November 2016. “So right now I’m living with two teenage boys at home. Me and my brothers all have different personalities and we definitely clash over living together in a small space,” she humorously added. One of Mikey’s sisters is married to a film writer, which, according to Women’s Wear Daily, served as a source of inspiration for her to pursue a career in acting, further enriching the family’s creative narrative.

Explore Mikey Madison’s Acting Journey Starting in 2013

Mikey’s journey in the film industry began with her very first acting role in the 2013 short film Retirement, as noted on her IMDb page. The talented California native made her feature film debut in Liza, Liza, Skies are Grey in 2015. Following this, her repertoire expanded with roles in 2018’s Monster and Nostalgia. A significant turning point in her career came when she landed a role in Quentin Tarantino‘s critically acclaimed film Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, where she shared the screen with an impressive ensemble cast that included Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margaret Qualley, Margot Robbie, Timothy Olyphant, Austin Butler, Dakota Fanning, Al Pacino, and many more. In this film, she portrayed Sadie, a follower of the infamous Manson family. Additionally, Mikey lent her voice to Candi the Barista in the animated film The Addams Family. On television, she starred in FX’s Better Things (more on that below) and made guest appearances in two episodes of the Bravo series Imposters.

Celebrate Mikey Madison’s Five Seasons on ‘Better Things’

One of Mikey’s breakout roles was her portrayal of Max Fox, the fiery and complex daughter of Pamela Adlon’s character, Sam, on FX’s critically acclaimed series Better Things. Mikey was a part of the main cast from the show’s premiere in 2016 up until its fifth and final season, which debuted on February 28, 2022. The series also featured talented actors such as Hannah Alligood, Olivia Edward, and Celia Imrie.

In an interview with InStyle, Mikey discussed her deep connection to the character Max: “I definitely gravitate toward characters that have a lot of integrity, and it’s so important to be working on shows that tell great stories,” she expressed. “I think you have to be a little in love with the character you’re playing because that way you can’t judge the decisions they make—and that’s certainly the case with Max.”

What Was Mikey Madison’s Experience Joining the ‘Scream’ Franchise?

Mikey made a chilling impression when she joined the iconic Scream franchise as Amber Freeman in Scream 5. A longtime fan of the horror genre, she enthusiastically shared with The Movie Times that she “was a big fan” of the original Scream film and felt an immediate connection to the project. “One of the pitches that the directors talked to me about is that they were trying to make it feel like the original,” she explained. “I just loved talking to them. I had good chemistry with them right away. I was attracted to it right from the beginning.”

In this thrilling installment, she starred alongside fellow newcomers Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, and Dylan Minnette, contributing to the franchise’s legacy of suspense and excitement.