Demi Moore on Losing Oscar to Mikey Madison: “I Didn’t Feel “Gutted”

Demi Moore found herself experiencing her first taste of awards season glory following the release of The Substance, a film that garnered her some of the best reviews of her career. The actress was nominated for and won some of the major precursors leading up to the Academy Awards, including a Golden Globe and SAG Award, but the performance of emerging young talent, Mikey Madison in Anora, was also gaining steam. When it came down to Oscar night, Madison won the big prize, but Moore now admits that she believed that was going to be the case before the category was announced.

During an interview with Time Magazine, Moore revealed that she was not “gutted” by losing the Best Actress Oscar to Madison because she had a strong feeling that the Anora star was going to win. She was so confident in that belief that she leaned over to her manager during a commercial break before the category was announced and shared those sentiments before the big moment at the ceremony.

“I leaned over and whispered to my manager, ‘I think it’s going to Mikey.’ I don’t know why I know, but I did. I was so centered and calm. I didn’t feel gutted. I didn’t feel any of those kinds of things. I just trusted, and am in trust of, whatever is going to unfold.”

Demi Moore and Mikey Madison Were the Frontrunners for the Best Actress Academy Award

Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle in 2024's The Substance — Mubi

The road to Best Actress during this most recent awards season was a blast to watch, mostly because it saw Demi Moore in a position she hadn’t found herself in during her very long career, while Mikey Madison’s work in Anora made the 25-year-old an instant favorite following its film festival debut. Madison seemed to have the edge in the beginning because of all the festival hype, but Moore’s performance in The Substance gained its own momentum as the film began to garner more traction.

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‘The Substance’ delivered Demi Moore one of her greatest performances, but sadly it wasn’t enough to take home the coveted golden statue.

Moore ended up winning three significant precursors heading into Oscar night, which included the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice and SAG Award for Best Actress. Many thought this would make the actress the true frontrunner for the top prize, particularly after her SAG win, but Madison triumphed over Moore with a BAFTA win for Best Actress, which put her back in the conversation for the Academy Award. It really came down to either actress winning, with Madison hearing her name called during the pivotal moment.

While Moore didn’t take home the gold, the actress proved herself to be the epitome of grace and class following the ceremony. The Ghost actress shouted out Madison on Instagram afterward, while also putting a heartfelt close to her awards season chapter. Moore said, “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…And a huge congratulations to Mikey Madison, can’t wait to see what you do next.”

Madison and Moore both heaped praise on each other during their awards-season journey, and both actresses will see their next chapters shaped by the experience in very positive ways. Moore now sees herself entering a new act in her career, while Madison’s road is just getting started with so many avenues to explore.

Source: Time Magazine