The 2025 Oscars delivered its fair share of surprises, but none were as polarizing as the Best Actress category. Demi Moore, 62, who had been a frontrunner throughout awards season for her powerhouse performance in The Substance, lost the Oscar to 25-year-old Mikey Madison for her role in Anora. The upset has reignited conversations about ageism in Hollywood and the challenges faced by women over 50 in the industry.
A Season of Triumphs Cut Short
Moore’s performance in The Substance, a film that tackles the struggles of aging women in Hollywood, earned her critical acclaim and a string of awards, including the Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award. Her Golden Globes acceptance speech, in which she reflected on her career struggles and the pressures women face to conform to societal standards, was hailed as a defining moment.
“One thing this movie imparts is that in those moments when we don’t think we’re smart enough, pretty enough, or successful enough, we can still know our worth,” Moore said during her speech. Her vulnerability and candor resonated with audiences, making her Oscar loss all the more surprising.
The Upset Heard Around Hollywood
Mikey Madison’s win for her portrayal of a sex worker in Anora was met with mixed reactions. While her performance was widely praised, many felt Moore’s loss underscored the very themes explored in The Substance—the industry’s preference for youth over experience.
On social media, fans expressed their disappointment. One Reddit user noted, “Demi Moore losing to Mikey Madison is basically the plot of The Substance.” Another commented, “It’s ironic that a film about ageism lost to a younger actress who benefited from social hype.” Paolo Uggetti’s post about the irony of Moore’s loss went viral, amassing over five million views.
A Shift in the Oscars’ Voting Trends?
In recent years, the Academy has made efforts to diversify its voter base, leading to a shift in the types of performances honored. The average age of Best Actress winners has been rising, with most recent winners being over 40. This made Moore’s loss even more unexpected, as many believed the Academy was moving away from its historical preference for young ingénues.
Awards prognosticators like Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter and Clayton Davis of Variety had predicted a Moore victory, while The New York Times’ Kyle Buchanan called the race a toss-up. Ultimately, Madison’s win left many wondering if Hollywood’s progress toward inclusivity still has a long way to go.
Grace in Defeat
Despite the disappointment, Moore handled the loss with grace. Her daughter, Tallulah Willis, shared a heartwarming photo of Moore enjoying a French fry with her dog Pilaf after the ceremony, captioning it, “My winner.” The image served as a reminder that Moore’s legacy extends far beyond awards.
A Broader Conversation
Moore’s Oscar snub has sparked a broader conversation about representation and ageism in Hollywood. While her performance in The Substance didn’t earn her the Academy Award, it has undoubtedly left a lasting impact, challenging the industry to reflect on its biases and celebrate talent at every stage of life.
For those who missed the Oscars, clips of Moore’s Golden Globes speech and highlights from The Substance are available online, offering a glimpse into the performance that captivated audiences worldwide.
Demi Moore drew accolades and awards for her performance in “The Substance,” but did not win the Oscar.Credit…Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for The New York Times