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The 4 Most Shocking Best Actress Nominees Of 2025: Who Rewrote Oscar History?

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The 97th Academy Awards (2025) delivered one of the most unpredictable and historically significant Best Actress races in recent memory, with a final lineup that stunned critics and celebrated a new wave of cinematic talent. As of December 2025, the conversation around the nominees—a blend of veteran comebacks, breakout sensations, and a truly groundbreaking inclusion—has dominated the film world, highlighting performances that pushed boundaries in body horror, musical spectacle, and gritty neo-noir. This year's selection not only honors incredible acting but also marks a pivotal moment for representation and artistic risk-taking in Hollywood. The Best Actress category is the cornerstone of the Academy Awards, a spotlight reserved for the most transformative and emotionally resonant performances of the year. The 2025 field is packed with incredible topical authority, featuring a former Hollywood icon achieving her first nomination, a Spanish actress making history, and a young star completing a meteoric rise. We dive deep into the profiles of the four primary contenders, their nominated roles, and the compelling narratives that defined this unforgettable awards season.

The Groundbreaking Nominees: Full Biography and Filmography

The 2025 Best Actress lineup is a masterclass in diversity, spanning decades of experience and representing a wide spectrum of film genres. Each actress brings a unique story to the stage, from a former child star's dramatic re-emergence to a global star's long-awaited Oscar moment.

Mikey Madison (Anora)

  • Full Name: Mikey Madison
  • Date of Birth: March 25, 1999
  • Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Key Filmography: *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* (2019), *Scream* (2022), *Better Things* (TV Series, 2016–2017), *Anora* (2024)
  • Nominated Role: Anora 'Ani' Mikheeva in *Anora* (2024)

Mikey Madison's win for *Anora* was the crowning achievement of a true breakout year, though some search results suggest she was the eventual winner, her nomination itself was a major story. At just 25, Madison, who previously had roles in Quentin Tarantino’s *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* and the TV series *Better Things*, captivated audiences as a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Her performance in director Sean Baker's Palme d'Or-winning film was lauded for its raw energy, emotional depth, and incredible comedic timing, cementing her status as a major new Hollywood force.

Demi Moore (The Substance)

  • Full Name: Demi Gene Guynes (Demi Moore)
  • Date of Birth: November 11, 1962
  • Place of Birth: Roswell, New Mexico, U.S.
  • Key Filmography: *Ghost* (1990), *A Few Good Men* (1992), *Indecent Proposal* (1993), *Disclosure* (1994), *The Substance* (2024)
  • Nominated Role: Elisabeth Sparkle in *The Substance* (2024)

Demi Moore's nomination for the body horror film *The Substance* marked her first-ever Academy Award nomination after a career spanning over four decades. A 1990s superstar known for box office hits like *Ghost* and *A Few Good Men*, Moore's career often received more attention for her celebrity status and personal life than her acting prowess. Her role as Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading middle-aged movie star who uses a mysterious black market drug to create a younger, "better" version of herself, was a stunning, fearless performance that critics called a "stellar second act". The film, directed by Coralie Fargeat, is a satirical horror that critiques Hollywood's obsession with youth and female perfection, giving Moore the critical acclaim she had long sought.

Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)

  • Full Name: Karla Sofía Gascón
  • Date of Birth: March 31, 1972
  • Place of Birth: Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
  • Key Filmography: *El Señor de los Cielos* (TV Series), *The Noble Family* (2013), *Emilia Pérez* (2024)
  • Nominated Role: Manitas / Emilia Pérez in *Emilia Pérez* (2024)

Karla Sofía Gascón’s nomination for the musical crime drama *Emilia Pérez* is arguably the most historic of the 2025 race. Gascón is a Spanish actress who made history as the first openly transgender woman to be nominated for a major acting Oscar. Her dual role as Manitas, a ruthless Mexican drug lord, and the titular Emilia Pérez, the woman he transitions to become, was a performance of incredible range and sensitivity. The film, which also won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, showcases Gascón's powerful transition and her background in Spanish telenovelas and Mexican cinema. Her nomination is a monumental step forward for transgender representation in major awards bodies.

Cynthia Erivo (Wicked Part 1)

  • Full Name: Cynthia Onyedinmanasu Chinasaokwu Erivo
  • Date of Birth: January 8, 1987
  • Place of Birth: Stockwell, London, England
  • Key Filmography: *The Color Purple* (Broadway), *Harriet* (2019), *Bad Times at the El Royale* (2018), *Wicked Part 1* (2024)
  • Nominated Role: Elphaba Thropp in *Wicked Part 1* (2024)

Cynthia Erivo is already one of the most highly decorated performers in the world, having won a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy (known as a "Triple Threat"). Her nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the musical *Wicked* is a significant career milestone. Erivo was previously nominated for Best Actress for *Harriet* in 2019. This second nomination for *Wicked* made her one of the few Black actresses to achieve multiple nominations in the category and cemented her status as a powerhouse vocalist and dramatic actor, bringing her one step closer to achieving EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony).

The Unprecedented Narrative of the 2025 Best Actress Race

What makes the 2025 Best Actress race so compelling is the convergence of several powerful, distinct narratives. It was a year where the Academy truly embraced risk and celebrated actors who took on roles with immense physical and emotional demands.

The Power of the Comeback and Transformation

The nominations for Demi Moore and Karla Sofía Gascón highlight the theme of transformation. Moore’s role in *The Substance* required a profound physical and emotional commitment, tackling themes of aging and self-worth with brutal honesty. Her performance was a definitive, career-redefining moment, proving that a major star can pivot to high-art, challenging cinema and earn critical validation after years in the commercial spotlight. Similarly, Gascón's performance was a double-transformation, both in character (Manitas to Emilia Pérez) and in her personal journey as a trans actress on the global stage, making her nomination a victory for the entire LGBTQ+ community.

The Rise of the New Guard and Musical Excellence

On the other end of the spectrum, Mikey Madison represents the "new guard." Her win for *Anora* (or strong contention) proved that a young actress can anchor a complex, critically adored film and defeat established veterans. This dynamic mirrors past years where young stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone broke through to claim the prize. Cynthia Erivo, meanwhile, carries the torch for the musical genre, a category that often struggles for Best Actress recognition outside of traditional dramas. Her portrayal of Elphaba is a testament to her technical skill and emotional power, cementing her as a modern theatrical icon.

Historical Context and Topical Authority: Best Actress Facts

The history of the Academy Award for Best Actress is rich with legendary performances and enduring records. Understanding the 2025 race requires a look back at the titans who set the standard. The current nominees join a pantheon of actors whose names are synonymous with cinematic excellence.

Record Holders and Legendary Figures

  • Most Nominations: Meryl Streep holds the record for the most nominations in this category (17), a staggering achievement that underscores her unparalleled career longevity and versatility.
  • Most Wins: Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most Best Actress wins, with four Oscars.
  • Youngest Nominee/Winner: While the youngest winner is Marlee Matlin (at age 21 for *Children of a Lesser God*), the overall record for the youngest actor or actress to receive four Oscar nominations belongs to Jennifer Lawrence.
  • The EGOT Chase: Cynthia Erivo's second Best Actress nomination puts her in an elite group of performers who are one award away from the coveted EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), a feat that few actors ever achieve.

The 2025 nominees—Madison, Moore, Gascón, and Erivo—have added their names to this prestigious list, each bringing a unique, compelling, and often boundary-pushing performance to the forefront of the cultural conversation. Their work in films like *Anora*, *The Substance*, *Emilia Pérez*, and *Wicked* ensures that this year will be remembered as a landmark moment in the history of the Best Actress category.

actresses nominated for best actress
actresses nominated for best actress

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