10 Things to Know About Mikey Madison
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VOICE OVER: Phoebe de Jeu
WRITTEN BY: Don Ekama
Dive into the fascinating world of Mikey Madison, from her shy beginnings to her breakthrough in Hollywood. Discover the untold stories behind her unique journey, including her twin brother, equestrian dreams, and her remarkable rise to stardom. From her breakout role in "Better Things" to her Palme d'Or-winning performance in "Anora," Madison has proven herself to be a versatile and talented actress with an incredible backstory!
10 Things to Know About Mikey Madison
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re spotlighting the new-age sensation, Mikey Madison—her upbringing, journey into Hollywood and the newfound success that’s making everyone take notice.
She’s a Twin
Born in Los Angeles to Michael and Tracy Rosberg, Mikey Madison didn’t make her grand entrance into the world alone. She is actually a twin. In an industry that thrives on unique and recognizable faces, having an identical counterpart could have posed a challenge. However, Madison’s twin is her brother, Miles, so chances are they are distinct enough to stand apart. Not much is known about Miles, except that back in high school, he apparently had a habit of pretending they weren’t related. But as Madison’s star has grown, his attitude has changed drastically. Now, he seems to be one of her biggest supporters, even reportedly placing hefty bets on her securing an Oscar nomination for her performance in “Anora.”
She Was a Very Shy Kid
When you think of an actor, “shy” is probably not the first word that comes to mind. After all, performing in front of multiple people doesn’t sound like the most suitable job for an introverted person. But there are clearly some exceptions. Growing up, Mikey Madison was considered the “weird kid” in school and struggled to fit in. Her extreme shyness made social interactions even harder. She reportedly found it so difficult to speak up in class that she had to mentally prepare herself just to raise her hand. But discovering her passion for acting changed everything. Madison threw herself into the craft and managed to shed her timid persona to step confidently in front of the camera.
She Almost Became a Professional Equestrian
Mikey Madison’s life could have taken a wildly different turn. Although she began acting at a young age, Madison’s first passion was competitive horseback riding, which she underwent training for, hoping to become a professional equestrian. Madison was so committed to this goal that she asked to be homeschooled, so she could devote more of her time to riding horses. But as a self-proclaimed “all-or-nothing person,” once she set her sights on acting, she knew she had to drop those riding boots by the barn door. It didn’t take long for fate to confirm that she had made the right choice.
Both of Her Parents Are Psychologists
These days, it seems like every new sensation in Hollywood has a famous last name, but Mikey Madison is one of the few exceptions. Despite growing up in Los Angeles, she didn’t enter the world with a foot already in the industry’s door. Madison’s family is about as far removed from Hollywood as possible, as both of her parents are psychologists. While her father, Michael, specializes in treating schizophrenia, her mother, Tracy, primarily works with children. Given their profession, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that their expertise has helped Madison better understand human behavior and bring emotional depth to her performances. So while she’s not a nepo baby, she might just have a psychological edge over her counterparts.
She Has No Social Media Presence
Social media has proven to be very useful for many celebrities. Not only do they use it to curate their brand, but they also engage with fans and learn firsthand how their work is received. Mikey Madison, however, has absolutely no interest in that. The actress avoids social media completely, preferring to focus on her work and maintain a low profile. When asked about this in an interview, Madison explained that social media feels inauthentic to her and that she doesn’t believe she has anything worthwhile to contribute to the online world. She also admitted to being a very sensitive person, adding that staying away from online comments is a way to protect her well-being.
She Got Her Big Break in “Better Things”
Mikey Madison traded horseback riding for acting in 2013, appearing in a few short films. Her big break came three years later, when she was cast in the FX comedy-drama “Better Things.” The show starred Pamela Adlon as Sam Fox, a single mother and working actress trying to raise her three daughters in Los Angeles. Madison played the eldest, Max, a fiery and headstrong teenager whose tough exterior masked a deep vulnerability. Unlike many teenage characters in comedies, Max was a well-written three-dimensional individual who had an often turbulent relationship with her mother. The role allowed Madison to flex her acting muscles early in her career, and while the show never became a mainstream hit, it served as the perfect launchpad for her.
She Worked With Her Idol, Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino’s movies played a major role in inspiring Mikey Madison to become an actress. Years later, her journey came full circle when she got the opportunity to audition for his film “Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood,” as a Manson family member, no less. Determined to make an impression, Madison went all out, bringing along a bizarre painting and a poem dedicated to Charles Manson. The gamble paid off and she landed the role of Sadie Atkins, one of the cult members who storm Rick Dalton’s house only to be killed in dramatic fashion. Madison was part of a group of emerging actors in the film who quickly found major success, including Austin Butler, Sydney Sweeney and Margaret Qualley.
Her Role in “Anora” Was Written for Her
Following a string of supporting roles on the big screen, Mikey Madison shot to superstardom with her career-defining performance in the Palme d'Or-winning film “Anora.” Madison plays the titular character, a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, only to see their fairytale romance threatened when the news reaches his parents. It turns out Madison didn’t even have to fight for the role, as it was written specifically with her in mind. Director Sean Baker first noticed her in “Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood,” but became certain she was the perfect choice after seeing her in “Scream.” Judging by the overwhelming acclaim and awards buzz surrounding her performance, it’s safe to say he made the right call.
She Learned Russian for “Anora”
Mikey Madison may have landed the role of Anora without breaking a sweat, but preparing for it was a whole different story. Since the character speaks fluent Russian, Madison decided to learn the language from scratch. This was no easy feat, considering that Russian is one of the most notoriously difficult languages to learn, especially in a relatively short period of time. On top of that, she needed to convincingly portray Anora’s life as an exotic dancer. This meant visiting late-night clubs and undergoing rigorous pole-dancing training. For this, she found a big supporter in her own father, who went the extra mile and installed a pole in her home, to ensure she had the proper space to practice.
She Pulled Off a Surprising Win at the BAFTAs
Although she had won widespread acclaim for her performance in “Anora,” Mikey Madison wasn’t exactly considered a frontrunner in the Best Actress Oscar race. With no major wins under her belt, she arrived at the BAFTAs with little expectation of being named the Best Actress in a Leading Role. And yet, in a stunning upset, Madison took home the award, beating out favorites like Demi Moore and Cynthia Erivo. It was a real “star is born” moment for the young star, who hadn’t even prepared an acceptance speech. After being handed the trophy, Madison spoke straight from the heart, thanking director Sean Baker, giving a shoutout to her mom, and paying tribute to the sex worker community.
What did you think of Mikey Madison’s performance in “Anora”? What parts would you like to see her explore in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re spotlighting the new-age sensation, Mikey Madison—her upbringing, journey into Hollywood and the newfound success that’s making everyone take notice.
She’s a Twin
Born in Los Angeles to Michael and Tracy Rosberg, Mikey Madison didn’t make her grand entrance into the world alone. She is actually a twin. In an industry that thrives on unique and recognizable faces, having an identical counterpart could have posed a challenge. However, Madison’s twin is her brother, Miles, so chances are they are distinct enough to stand apart. Not much is known about Miles, except that back in high school, he apparently had a habit of pretending they weren’t related. But as Madison’s star has grown, his attitude has changed drastically. Now, he seems to be one of her biggest supporters, even reportedly placing hefty bets on her securing an Oscar nomination for her performance in “Anora.”
She Was a Very Shy Kid
When you think of an actor, “shy” is probably not the first word that comes to mind. After all, performing in front of multiple people doesn’t sound like the most suitable job for an introverted person. But there are clearly some exceptions. Growing up, Mikey Madison was considered the “weird kid” in school and struggled to fit in. Her extreme shyness made social interactions even harder. She reportedly found it so difficult to speak up in class that she had to mentally prepare herself just to raise her hand. But discovering her passion for acting changed everything. Madison threw herself into the craft and managed to shed her timid persona to step confidently in front of the camera.
She Almost Became a Professional Equestrian
Mikey Madison’s life could have taken a wildly different turn. Although she began acting at a young age, Madison’s first passion was competitive horseback riding, which she underwent training for, hoping to become a professional equestrian. Madison was so committed to this goal that she asked to be homeschooled, so she could devote more of her time to riding horses. But as a self-proclaimed “all-or-nothing person,” once she set her sights on acting, she knew she had to drop those riding boots by the barn door. It didn’t take long for fate to confirm that she had made the right choice.
Both of Her Parents Are Psychologists
These days, it seems like every new sensation in Hollywood has a famous last name, but Mikey Madison is one of the few exceptions. Despite growing up in Los Angeles, she didn’t enter the world with a foot already in the industry’s door. Madison’s family is about as far removed from Hollywood as possible, as both of her parents are psychologists. While her father, Michael, specializes in treating schizophrenia, her mother, Tracy, primarily works with children. Given their profession, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that their expertise has helped Madison better understand human behavior and bring emotional depth to her performances. So while she’s not a nepo baby, she might just have a psychological edge over her counterparts.
She Has No Social Media Presence
Social media has proven to be very useful for many celebrities. Not only do they use it to curate their brand, but they also engage with fans and learn firsthand how their work is received. Mikey Madison, however, has absolutely no interest in that. The actress avoids social media completely, preferring to focus on her work and maintain a low profile. When asked about this in an interview, Madison explained that social media feels inauthentic to her and that she doesn’t believe she has anything worthwhile to contribute to the online world. She also admitted to being a very sensitive person, adding that staying away from online comments is a way to protect her well-being.
She Got Her Big Break in “Better Things”
Mikey Madison traded horseback riding for acting in 2013, appearing in a few short films. Her big break came three years later, when she was cast in the FX comedy-drama “Better Things.” The show starred Pamela Adlon as Sam Fox, a single mother and working actress trying to raise her three daughters in Los Angeles. Madison played the eldest, Max, a fiery and headstrong teenager whose tough exterior masked a deep vulnerability. Unlike many teenage characters in comedies, Max was a well-written three-dimensional individual who had an often turbulent relationship with her mother. The role allowed Madison to flex her acting muscles early in her career, and while the show never became a mainstream hit, it served as the perfect launchpad for her.
She Worked With Her Idol, Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino’s movies played a major role in inspiring Mikey Madison to become an actress. Years later, her journey came full circle when she got the opportunity to audition for his film “Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood,” as a Manson family member, no less. Determined to make an impression, Madison went all out, bringing along a bizarre painting and a poem dedicated to Charles Manson. The gamble paid off and she landed the role of Sadie Atkins, one of the cult members who storm Rick Dalton’s house only to be killed in dramatic fashion. Madison was part of a group of emerging actors in the film who quickly found major success, including Austin Butler, Sydney Sweeney and Margaret Qualley.
Her Role in “Anora” Was Written for Her
Following a string of supporting roles on the big screen, Mikey Madison shot to superstardom with her career-defining performance in the Palme d'Or-winning film “Anora.” Madison plays the titular character, a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, only to see their fairytale romance threatened when the news reaches his parents. It turns out Madison didn’t even have to fight for the role, as it was written specifically with her in mind. Director Sean Baker first noticed her in “Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood,” but became certain she was the perfect choice after seeing her in “Scream.” Judging by the overwhelming acclaim and awards buzz surrounding her performance, it’s safe to say he made the right call.
She Learned Russian for “Anora”
Mikey Madison may have landed the role of Anora without breaking a sweat, but preparing for it was a whole different story. Since the character speaks fluent Russian, Madison decided to learn the language from scratch. This was no easy feat, considering that Russian is one of the most notoriously difficult languages to learn, especially in a relatively short period of time. On top of that, she needed to convincingly portray Anora’s life as an exotic dancer. This meant visiting late-night clubs and undergoing rigorous pole-dancing training. For this, she found a big supporter in her own father, who went the extra mile and installed a pole in her home, to ensure she had the proper space to practice.
She Pulled Off a Surprising Win at the BAFTAs
Although she had won widespread acclaim for her performance in “Anora,” Mikey Madison wasn’t exactly considered a frontrunner in the Best Actress Oscar race. With no major wins under her belt, she arrived at the BAFTAs with little expectation of being named the Best Actress in a Leading Role. And yet, in a stunning upset, Madison took home the award, beating out favorites like Demi Moore and Cynthia Erivo. It was a real “star is born” moment for the young star, who hadn’t even prepared an acceptance speech. After being handed the trophy, Madison spoke straight from the heart, thanking director Sean Baker, giving a shoutout to her mom, and paying tribute to the sex worker community.
What did you think of Mikey Madison’s performance in “Anora”? What parts would you like to see her explore in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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