This 'Anora' actor danced to survive, now she's at Oscars
What's the story
Luna Sofia Miranda, a dancer at a Brooklyn strip club, had her life turned upside down when she met filmmaker Sean Baker and his producer wife Samantha Quan a few years ago.
The couple learned of Miranda's acting dreams, so they encouraged the 26-year-old to audition for the role of Lulu in their indie film Anora.
Fast forward to now, and Miranda just walked the red carpet at the 97th annual Academy Awards.
Beginnings
Miranda's early life and struggles before stardom
Born to film professors in Brooklyn, Miranda's love for acting started early. As a kid, she attended free acting workshops and later went to a performing arts high school.
Though she was accepted into Rutgers University's BFA program, financial constraints forced her to enroll in a local university instead.
She worked at a strip club to support herself, which eventually paved the way for her breakthrough role.
Recognition
'Anora's success and Miranda's role in the film
In the film Anora, Miranda not only played Lulu but also served as a consultant to ensure an authentic portrayal of sex workers. Her personal experiences shaped her character's innocence and happiness.
The movie won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2024 and received six Oscar nominations, catapulting Miranda into international recognition.
Triumph
Personal challenges and family reconciliation amid success
During her rise to fame, Miranda also dealt with personal challenges, including her mother's illness.
Although her family was initially worried about her job as a dancer, Anora's success helped mend differences with her parents.
Her mother encouraged Miranda to focus on the film despite battling health issues.
Unfortunately, Miranda's mother passed away before she could see the film.
Advocacy
Miranda's pride in representing sex workers and future plans
Miranda is proud to represent sex workers through Anora and hopes the film inspires others to follow their dreams.
Her co-star, Mikey Madison, who portrayed the role of Anora, dedicated her BAFTA win to sex workers, stressing respect and human decency.
As she anticipates future projects, Miranda plans to honor Anora with a butterfly tattoo if it wins Best Picture at the Oscars.