Newly-minted Oscar winner Mikey Madison isn’t here for the “old friends” and exes who have contacted her amid Anora’s success. Why? Because the 25-year-old actor is not so sure they’re being “genuine.” 

Mikey won the best actress Oscar for ‘Anora’

At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, Madison took home the Oscar in the Best Actress category for her breakout role in Anora. She’d been nominated alongside Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Demi Moore (The Substance), and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked). Her win marked one of five awards for Anora, including best picture and best director for Sean Baker. 

It was also perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening. Especially considering Moore dominated awards season up to that point. She swept the category at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, SAG, and Satellite Awards.)

Mikey Madison’s ‘old friends’ and exes have come ‘out of the woodwork’ 

During a December 2024 guest spot on The Los Angeles Times’ podcast, “The Envelope,” alongside Baker, Madison reflected on the “small changes” to her life that have come with the movie’s success. Namely, exes and “old friends” contacting her. 

“I mean, I’ve noticed some small changes, I think,” she said. “One of them is [that] every single person and their mother has reached out to me in some way, which has been interesting. I’m not sure if I like that part of it, though.” 

Asked why, Mikey questioned their motives. “I think some of it doesn’t seem super genuine,” she said. “Like, old friends coming out of the woodwork. Ex-boyfriends reaching out to me [saying], ‘Hey, you wanna grab a coffee or something?’ I’m like, ‘Oh, because you’ve seen me on billboards? Is that why you…’” 

Staying off the internet has helped the ‘Anora’ during her rise to fame

What about sliding into Madison’s DMs on Instagram or TikTok? That’s not an option for her exes, former friends, or fans. Why? Because she’s not on social media and never wants to be. Mikey told the outlet that her “blind[ness]” to the internet has helped her navigate her newfound fame. 

“I’m also not someone who’s like paying attention to online chatter and things like that,” she said. “I’m just not really on the internet, so I think I keep myself…sort of blind to some things.” 

In a previous interview with Bustle, Madison elaborated on her decision to stay off social media. “It’s just not something that feels authentic or natural to me, and I don’t think I would have anything very impactful to add to social media,” she said. 

“I’m a very sensitive person, so I think it’s also protective to not be online,” she continued. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be reading the things people are saying about you. I think that that’s not natural. And it’s not human to be looking at all of these very curated images.” 

“I know myself, and I think keeping myself ignorant to that part of the internet is probably healthier for me,” she concluded.