Demi Moore was visibly moved as she claimed the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 2025 awards ceremony on Jan. 5. The 62-year-old actress, who received the honor for her performance in the body-horror satire The Substance, expressed deep gratitude as she took the stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
“Oh wow. I really wasn’t expecting that. I’m just in shock right now,” Moore said, holding back tears. “I’ve been doing this a long time, over 45 years, and this is the first time I’ve ever won anything as an actor. I’m just so humbled and so grateful.”
The win marked a significant career milestone for Moore, who has been a prominent figure in Hollywood since the 1980s. In her emotional speech, she reflected on the challenges she has faced over the years and the doubts that nearly led her to walk away from acting.
Moore revealed that a producer once referred to her as a “popcorn actress” three decades ago, a label that, at the time, she internalized as a barrier to her future success. “At that time, I made that mean that this wasn’t something that I was allowed to have,” Moore shared. “That I could do movies that were successful, that made a lot of money, but that I couldn’t be acknowledged. And I bought into that, and it corroded me over time.”
She admitted that there were moments in her career when she questioned whether she was done with acting altogether. “A few years ago, I thought maybe this was it. Maybe I was complete. Maybe I had done what I was supposed to do,” Moore confessed. “But then, at a low point, a magical, bold, and absolutely bonkers script came across my desk called The Substance. And I realized, the universe was telling me I’m not done yet.”
Moore’s win for The Substance not only earned her the Golden Globe but also served as a powerful personal statement about perseverance and self-worth. In her speech, she shared a poignant piece of advice she had received from a woman during a difficult time in her life: “Just know you will never be enough, but you can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.”
Wrapping up her speech, Moore offered a heartfelt message to the audience. “So today, I celebrate this as a marker of my wholeness and of the love that is driving me and for the gift of doing something I love and being reminded that I do belong. Thank you so much.”
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This marks Moore’s third Golden Globe nomination, but her first win in over three decades. She was previously nominated for Ghost (1990) and the TV movie If These Walls Could Talk (1996), but The Substance marks her first major recognition in years. The film, a satirical horror directed by French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, also garnered nominations for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Supporting Actress for Margaret Qualley, and Best Director and Writer for Fargeat.
Moore was up against stiff competition in the Best Actress category, with fellow nominees including Amy Adams for Nightbitch, Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez, Mikey Madison for Anora, and Zendaya for Challengers.
Amy Adams, a six-time Academy Award nominee, earned a Golden Globe nod for her role in Nightbitch, where she portrays a stay-at-home mother who begins to believe she is transforming into a dog. This nomination marked Adams’ tenth Golden Globe nod, having previously won in 2014 for American Hustle and in 2015 for Big Eyes.
Cynthia Erivo was nominated for her role as Elphaba in the highly anticipated Wicked: Part One. The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, also earned recognition for its musical and comedy ensemble. Erivo, 37, was nominated alongside Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda. This is Erivo’s fourth Golden Globe nomination.
Karla Sofía Gascón made history as the first out transgender actress to receive a nomination for Emilia Pérez. In this film, directed by Jacques Audiard, Gascón portrays a Mexican cartel leader who transitions into a woman. Emilia Pérez also earned nominations for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and supporting performances by Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez.
Mikey Madison, nominated for her role in Anora, stars as a sex worker in a story filled with twists and emotional depth. Meanwhile, Zendaya, a previous Golden Globe winner for Euphoria, received a nod for her performance in Challengers, a romantic drama about a love triangle between tennis players.
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The 2025 Golden Globes ceremony, which aired live on CBS and Paramount+, was filled with surprises and memorable moments. In addition to the acting accolades, The Bear and Emilia Pérez led the nominations, with the former receiving multiple nods for its ensemble cast and direction.
For Moore, the win is not just a career achievement but a testament to resilience and the belief that it’s never too late to claim recognition for your work. As she reflected on her journey, Moore reminded the audience that even in moments of doubt, it’s important to keep moving forward.
“I’m so grateful for this moment,” she concluded. “This is a marker of my wholeness, and I celebrate it as a reminder that I do belong.”
