Demi Moore Reinvents Herself at 62–And She’s Just Getting Started

Film fans are still in the grumpies about Demi Moore not winning the Best Actress Oscar for her masterful performance in The Substance. While many were hoping the dynamic actress would walk away with her first Oscar at the 97th annual Academy Awards, surprisingly, she lost to Anora’s 25-year-old star, Mikey Madison.

Said one fan on Moore’s social media platform: “Demi you were robbed! I hate that the Academy did what your film, The Substance, denounced/criticized. What a shame!”

Demi Moore and The Substance–A Powerful Reflection on Hollywood Ageism

Indeed Moore’s Oscar loss drips in irony. The Substance follows the story of a once popular celebrity named Elisabeth Sparkle, who is fired from her aerobics television show by her idiot boss (Dennis Quaid) who thinks she is too old, and wants to replace her with someone younger.

Without giving too much of the plot away, Moore stumbles upon a cell-replicating substance drug that temporarily creates Sue, a separate, younger, fit version of herself (played fantastically by Margaret Qualley). After injecting herself repeatedly each week, Sue and Elisabeth become jealous and resentful with each other and insanity ensues … much to the delight of body horror fans.

In real life, the 62-year-old Moore doesn’t feel snubbed, exhibiting more of a more zen-like perspective.

Demi Moore Reacts to Her Oscar Loss–Gratitude, Growth, and No Looking Back

On Instagram 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. Thank you to the cast, crew, and fans of @trythesubstance—@isimostar and @coralie_fargeat it’s been such an honor to work alongside you, learn from you, and celebrate this film with you. And a huge congratulations to #MikeyMadison—can’t wait to see what you do next!”

Madison, too, has nothing but respect for Moore. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she talked about reaching out to Moore after her win.

“I texted with Demi, who I adore. She’s one of the sweetest, kindest women I’ve ever met, and I’m so grateful that I was able to meet her and witness her brilliance and talent in person. I adore her and I can’t wait to see what she does next, what kind of characters she brings us. I think we’re all so ready and excited to see that.”

To see a 62-year-old woman be vulnerable and fearless in her roles, it’s no wonder Moore did receive numerous other awards this season, getting accolades at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, Saturn, and SAG Awards.

Back in January, in the Globes press room, she elaborated on her acceptance speech on stage, where she talked about women who feel like they aren’t enough. “I think it’s really about where you hold your intention and your focus, and we can spend our time focusing on all that we’re not, or we could be celebrating all that we are. And I think it’s just a subtle shift.

“I think we all know that there are certain kinds of societal conditioning, but we really have to look at what we’re choosing to buy into,” she continued. “Because it exists, it doesn’t make it the truth. And I think it all goes back to how we choose to hold ourselves. And when we value ourselves, when we have enough self-love, that will then reflect out in the world, and then the world will follow and change to accommodate how you are reflecting of yourself.”

Image: Etienne Laurent / The Academy

Demi Moore Proves That Women Over 60 Are Just Getting Started

In her Globes acceptance speech, the veteran actress was adamant in her encouragement—wanting people to know that after they raised a family or had a successful career, there could still be a second act to their lives.

“I believed that, and that corroded me over time, to the point where I thought a few years ago that maybe this was it. Maybe I was complete, maybe I’ve done what I was supposed to do,” she said. “And as I was at kind of a low point, I had this magical, bold, courageous, out-of-the-box, absolutely bonkers script come across my desk called The Substance. The universe told me, ‘You are not done.’”

A New Film and No Limits

In fact, Moorie isn’t even close to being done. She’s starring in I Love Boosters, which already has some promising buzz around it, proving that at 62 years old, she’s still full of self-love—and a whole lot of substance.