It’s no news that Demi Moore, was widely considered the frontrunner for Best Actress at the 97th Academy Awards for her spectacular role as Elisabeth Sparkle in The Substance. Having won multiple accolades throughout the awards season, Moore appeared to be on track for an Oscar win. However, the night took a shocking turn when Mikey Madison, star of Anora, was announced as the winner.
The surprise victory left many fans stunned, with some taking to social media to express disappointment over what seemed like an “Oscar snub.” Moore, 62, who had previously won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award for the same role, was visibly surprised when Madison’s name was called. A lip reader was able to make out her shocking response.
Demi Moore’s reaction was a one-word response
Mikey Madison’s reaction to her Best Actress Oscar win omg pic.twitter.com/Ea8kM1NRou
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) March 3, 2025
When the camera panned to Moore, she was seen reacting to Madison’s win in real-time. According to the professional lip reader, Moore muttered a single word: “Nice.” The expert, however, noted that while she said it, her facial expression lacked enthusiasm, and her body language suggested she was trying to mask her true emotions. While Moore did not immediately comment on social media, her reaction mirrored the thoughts of her supporters, who did not try to hide their disappointment.
They believed her performance in The Substance made her the strongest of the nominees. This made her loss even more shocking. If Demi Moore had won the award, it would have been her first Academy Award after being in the industry for quite a long time. Demi Moore’s loss was easily one of the biggest losses of the night.
Fans express disappointment over Demi Moore’s loss
Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with reactions from fans who believed Moore was “robbed” of the award. Some users called it the “biggest snub in Oscars history,” while others pointed out that Madison’s win, though well-earned, came as a surprise given Moore’s dominance in other award shows. One user wrote, “Demi Moore gave the best performance of her career, and the Academy really ignored it?”
Despite the uproar, some fans congratulated Madison on her victory, acknowledging her powerful performance in Anora. Others suggested that Moore’s reaction was simply one of professionalism, as she has been in the industry long enough to handle such moments with grace. Demi Moore’s performance for The Substance has positioned her again as a leading actress in Hollywood, so she still has high chances of securing an Oscar win before she retires.