Mikey Madison, breakout star of Anora, grew up in California’s San Fernando Valley with two psychologist parents and four siblings. Her parents, whose names have not been disclosed, work with schizophrenia and children, respectively. Madison’s early years were spent outside of Hollywood, with a focus on horseback riding before she discovered her passion for acting.

Madison’s parents’ careers as psychologists have helped her understand her characters and become a better actor. They encouraged their children to be connected with their emotions, which has aided Madison in her character work. Madison was homeschooled from seventh grade to accommodate her commitment to horseback riding, a passion she inherited from her mother.

While Madison initially pursued horseback riding, she eventually left the sport to pursue acting more seriously. Inspired by her father’s love of classic films, Madison became a film buff and decided to pursue acting after watching movies like Pretty in Pink. She felt a pull to connect more deeply with people through acting, leading her to leave horseback riding behind and commit fully to her acting career.