“A popcorn actress!” -Hollywood producer to Demi Moore, 1990s.
OnSunday, January 5, the gleaming Golden Globes stage was embraced by a woman who has taken the world by storm since she played Jules in the 1985 classic “St. Elmo’s Fire.” Saidwoman, American actress and icon Demi Moore, won her first award (as an actress) for her moving role in the 2024 horror film “The Substance.” In her touching remarks, she spoke of being at a low point a few years ago and feeling “done” in the entertainment industry. But also–and most poignantly–how she needed to remind herself that “she would never be enough” and she could undoubtedly feel her worth if she just “put down the measuring stick.” Within those short three minutes of her speech, Moore managed to make everyone watching feel special, emotional and absolutely entranced by the incoming (and much needed) “Demi”ssance.
Aside from her famous role in “St. Elmo’s Fire,” which tells the story of high school misfits, Moore has starred in various films ranging from the 1993 erotica “Indecent Proposal;” as a malicious wife in “Disclosure” (1994) and, of course, alongside Patrick Swayze in the 1990 classic “Ghost.” Just a year after “Ghost,” she garnered worldwide attention yet again for her provocative nude pose on the cover of “Vanity Fair.” Her cover gave her more roles in films such as Striptease (1996), G.I Jane (1997) and Flawless (2007). She spanned almost every entertainment genre in two decades–from romance, mystery, thrillers, horror and even comedies–leaving America wanting more and Moore.
But after two tough divorces from actors Bruce Willis in 2000 and Ashton Kutcher in 2013, Demi disappeared from the spotlight. Additionally, she discussed being a victim of Hollywood’s habit of “disposing” women when they reach “a certain age.” From that point on, she believed all she would play was supporting roles, in films such as Forsaken (2015), Wild Oats (2016) and a few others.
This past year, Hollywood rules were defied when ads spread across the Internet for what Moore described as an “absolutely bonkers” movie. “The Substance,” written and directed by French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, was released in September starring Moore and Margaret Qualley. It represented Moore as an actress turned aerobics instructor, who was aggressively fired for her age by her Harvey Weinstein-inspired boss, Dennis Quaid. Desperate and struggling with self-esteem, Moore discovers a serum called “The Substance,” which splits her DNA in half and releases a “prettier, more perfect” version of herself. But the downside remains. She must “respect the balance,” in sharing one week with her original body and one week with her Margaret Qualley double. The “balance” eventually becomes disrespected, resulting in a combination of both Moore and Qualley’s bodies– graphically ending with a puddle of visceral mass on her Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Some may interpret it as grotesque and bizarre— some may have liked it—some may never watch it—but one thing remains certain. Moore continues to live in our minds once again.
The film not only cemented Moore’s nominations (and win!) for a fourth Golden Globe and possible Academy Award but her rightful reputation as the thoughtful, inspiring person that she has always been. And thus, begins the age of the “Demi”ssance. A “popcorn actress” never was, no more and never will be. Go Demi!
