Demi Moore may not have won the Oscar for Best Lead Actress at the 2025 Academy Awards, but she remained all smiles after the ceremony, celebrating with her family and sharing a special moment with her beloved dog, Pilaf. Moore was nominated for her acclaimed role in The Substance, which also earned the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Despite her defeat to Mikey Madison, who won for her role in Anora, Moore’s support from her daughters and fans highlighted the evening’s celebration of her achievements.
Moore, who had been widely considered an Oscar frontrunner after sweeping major awards during the season—including Best Lead Actress at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and SAG Awards—was ultimately passed over by Madison, who had triumphed at the BAFTAs. Moore’s performance as Elizabeth Sparkle in The Substance, a role that earned her widespread praise, was central to her nomination. In the film, Moore portrays a once-popular actor and TV fitness icon who seeks an experimental serum to preserve her fading career. The Substance also received nominations for Best Director and Best Picture.
Despite the setback, Moore seemed in high spirits as she posed for a picture shared by her daughter, Tallulah Willis, on social media. The photo showed Moore with Pilaf and two large trays of French fries, a lighthearted moment after a whirlwind awards season. Tallulah captioned the photo with: “My winner.” It was a nod to Moore’s strength, resilience, and the love her family clearly has for her.
Moore’s eldest daughter, Scout LaRue Willis, also took to Instagram to express her pride for her mother. Scout posted a heartfelt message on her Instagram Story, praising Moore for her integrity and love. “So beyond proud, this woman is nothing but integrity, bright beaming light, and love! What grace I’ve never been more proud to be her daughter,” Scout wrote. She followed it up with a family photo on her feed, adding: “I’ve never been more proud to be a part of this family.”
Before the Oscars ceremony, Moore’s other daughter, Rumer Willis, shared a tribute to her mother on social media. Rumer’s post reflected on Moore’s decades-long career, resilience, and unwavering dedication to her craft. “Watching you today, standing in your power, in your brilliance, in the culmination of decades of hard work, resilience, and undeniable talent—I have never been more proud,” Rumer wrote. She continued, “You have dedicated your life to your craft, pouring every ounce of yourself into the stories you tell, the characters you bring to life, and the barriers you continue to break. And tonight, the world gets to witness what I have always known: you are a force.”
Moore’s performance in The Substance was lauded by critics following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last year. While her loss to Madison at the Oscars may have disappointed some, Moore’s strength and grace were never in question. The actress has become an inspiration for many, particularly in the wake of her comments about Hollywood and her career. Throughout the awards season, Moore had been outspoken about her journey in the industry, where she has faced both professional successes and personal challenges.
At the Golden Globes, Moore delivered an impassioned speech in which she responded to a producer who once referred to her as a “popcorn actress.” Moore revealed how those words affected her, saying, “I made that mean that [awards are] not something I was allowed to have. That I could do movies that were successful and made a lot of money, but that I couldn’t be acknowledged. I bought in, and I believed that. That corroded me over time, to the point where I thought a few years ago that maybe this was it. Maybe I had done what I was supposed to do.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Her Critics’ Choice Awards speech was similarly poignant, as she expressed gratitude not just for the acknowledgment of her performance but also for the recognition of the horror genre, which often goes overlooked by major awards bodies. “I am so grateful, not just for my performance, but that you have highlighted this film, this genre,” she said. “Normally, horror films are overlooked and not seen for the profundity that they can hold.”
At the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Moore spoke of her 47 years in the union, offering advice to younger actors: “Don’t lose sight of the human connection. That is the work we do…to be connected to one another.”
Though Moore didn’t walk away with the Oscar this year, her presence throughout the awards season has solidified her place as one of the most respected figures in Hollywood. The support from her daughters, her continued advocacy for the arts, and her honest reflections on her career demonstrate that, regardless of any Oscar loss, Demi Moore remains a winner in the hearts of her family and fans.
As the 2025 Oscars draw to a close, Moore’s performance in The Substance and her inspiring journey will continue to resonate within the industry, proving that the true value of an actor’s legacy is not just measured in awards, but in the impact they leave on others.
