Los Angeles: The 2025 Oscars stirred up plenty of emotions among fans when Hollywood icon Demi Moore didn’t take home the Best Actress award, despite being a clear front-runner throughout awards season. Instead, the coveted honor went to rising star Mikey Madison for her powerful performance in Anora. While the decision sparked widespread debate and disappointment online, Demi herself remained composed — and even supportive.
In an exclusive conversation with Time magazine, Demi opened up about the moment the winner was announced. Contrary to fan speculation, she revealed that she had already sensed the outcome.
“I leaned over and whispered to my manager, ‘I think it’s going to Mikey’. I don’t know why I knew, but I did. I was so centered and calm. I didn’t feel gutted. I didn’t feel any of those kinds of things. I just trusted, and am in trust of, whatever is going to unfold”, Demi said.
Despite winning several major accolades including the Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award, and SAG Award for her gripping role in the horror film The Substance, the Oscar eluded Demi. Still, she chose to celebrate the journey rather than the loss.
In a heartfelt social media post after the ceremony, she wrote:
“As this awards season comes to a close, I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude for this journey. It’s been the ride of a lifetime and we’re just getting started! So grateful for my team, my fellow nominees, and everyone who has made this experience so full of joy and light… And a huge congratulations to Mikey Madison — can’t wait to see what you do next”.
Demi, 62, played a bold and nuanced role in The Substance — a psychological horror exploring themes of aging, identity, and transformation. In the film, she portrayed an aging actress who turns to experimental injections to regain youth, ultimately unleashing a terrifying duality within herself.
Reflecting on the film’s message, Demi said:
“There is a really interesting aspect to redefining how we see women in their 60s—what that really means, and the limitations that have been imposed upon us societally, but even more importantly, what we’ve imposed on ourselves”.
Her words struck a chord with many viewers, especially those praising the industry’s slow but ongoing shift toward richer, more complex roles for older women.
While The Substance may not have earned Demi an Oscar, it clearly cemented her place in the awards conversation and reminded audiences of her enduring talent and authenticity.
