Fans Outraged as ‘Sex Symbol’ Demi Moore Loses Oscar to Rising Star Mikey Madison
The 97th Academy Awards sparked controversy when Hollywood veteran Demi Moore lost the Best Actress Oscar to Gen Z star Mikey Madison, leaving many fans frustrated and outraged.
This was Moore’s first-ever Oscar nomination for her performance in the horror-comedy satire The Substance. However, the coveted golden statue ultimately went to Madison for her role in Anora. Within hours of the ceremony’s conclusion, social media platform X was abuzz with heated debates over the Best Actress category.
Fans Express Discontent Over Oscar Results
Many fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with some calling the result an outright “robbery.”
User Chris DeRose praised Madison’s performance but claimed, “Demi Moore was robbed.” This sentiment quickly gained traction, with Daily Mail even labeling it “one of the biggest snubs in Oscar history.”
Another user, Bluray Angel, lamented: “My heart broke when Demi didn’t hear her name called. This was truly her year. Horror films have never been treated fairly at the Oscars.” Similarly, Bowen Fyang noted the unfortunate reality that a Hollywood veteran lost to a much younger actress.
Some fans also pointed out the striking resemblance between the Oscar result and the storyline of The Substance, which follows an aging star struggling to remain relevant in an industry that favors youth. One comment read: “Demi Moore starred in a film about how Hollywood discards older actresses, and she just lost to someone much younger. The Substance has never felt more relevant.”
Meanwhile, user Sperant argued that Demi Moore in The Substance and Fernanda Torres in I’m Still Here were the two most deserving winners among the nominees.
Demi Moore’s Reaction Caught on Camera
Footage from the ABC broadcast captured Moore’s reserved reaction when Emma Stone announced Mikey Madison as the winner. Daily Mail reported that another camera angle revealed Moore silently mouthing the words, “It’s fine.” However, expert Nicola Hickling, who analyzed the footage, noted that Moore did not smile and instead gave a slight nod, suggesting she was forcing herself to accept the outcome.
A Battle Between an Industry Veteran and a Rising Star
Leading up to the Oscars, Moore and Madison were widely seen as the two frontrunners for Best Actress.
Moore had dominated the pre-Oscar awards circuit, earning widespread recognition for her triumphant return to Hollywood after years of being labeled “washed up.” Meanwhile, Madison surged late in the race, securing key wins at the BAFTA Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG).
Both actresses were first-time Oscar nominees, making their head-to-head battle one of the most talked-about moments of the ceremony.
Demi Moore’s Resilience in Hollywood
Once one of the biggest box-office stars of the 1980s and 1990s, Moore played a pivotal role in fighting for better pay and recognition for women in Hollywood. However, her outspokenness led to harsh criticism from the media, branding her as “money-hungry” and “power-obsessed.”
At the Golden Globe Awards, where she won Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, Moore reflected on her struggles, saying:
“Thirty years ago, a producer told me I was just an entertainer. Back then, I believed I would never win an award. I could make blockbuster films and earn millions, but I was never taken seriously. Over time, that belief consumed me, and just a few years ago, I thought my career was over.”
Her inspirational speech was seen as a turning point, gaining her significant support leading into the Oscars.
Breaking Barriers for Women in Film
In her memoir Inside Out, Moore revealed that despite being hailed as a “sex symbol”, she struggled with body image issues throughout her career. She endured extreme dieting and training regimens just to land roles, and during the filming of A Few Good Men, studio executives pressured her to film a sex scene with Tom Cruise—something she ultimately resisted.
From the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, Moore dominated Hollywood, starring in massive hits like Ghost, A Few Good Men, Indecent Proposal, and Disclosure. At the peak of her career, she was the highest-paid actress in Hollywood and an advocate for equal pay.
However, her activism led to backlash from the industry and media, painting her as difficult and greedy. Over time, this negative narrative affected her career, making her triumphant comeback in The Substance all the more powerful.
Despite missing out on the Oscar, Moore’s performance and resilience have reaffirmed her legacy as a trailblazer in Hollywood.