The 97th Academy Awards, held on Sunday night in Los Angeles, saw 25-year-old Mikey Madison take home one of the night’s biggest honors — the Oscar for Best Actress.
Madison, who starred in the lead role of Sean Baker’s Anora, triumphed over formidable contenders, including Demi Moore, who had been a strong favorite after a successful awards season.
Madison’s win marked her first Oscar nomination, adding to her recent accolades, including a Best Actress victory at the 2025 BAFTAs. She overcame a talented field, including Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo, Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, and Karla Sofía Gascón.
However, Moore, who earned a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award this season for her portrayal of Elisabeth Sparkle in The Substance, was expected by many to take the Oscar home.
According to Stanton, Moore’s reaction to losing the coveted award was one of shock and disappointment. “Demi was absolutely gutted to not win this Oscar,” Stanton remarked in an analysis for Betfair Casino. “Her facial expressions suggested she was trying to mask her feelings when Mikey was announced as the winner of Best Actress.”
The expert noted that Moore, who had been riding a wave of recognition during the awards season, seemed especially taken aback by the result. “We saw her mouth drop open, her eyes wide in disbelief — she was clearly shocked and struggling to process what was happening,” Stanton continued.
“Her smiles looked forced and didn’t appear genuine, reflecting the emotional disappointment she felt.”
The upset has sparked heated discussions on social media, with fans of both actresses voicing their opinions.
One user joked, “Demi Moore losing to Mikey Madison is basically the plot of The Substance.” Another commented, “demi moore was absolutely snubbed and you’ll NEVER change my mind. The oscar’s just proved square and fair they don’t take older women seriously and they don’t take Horror seriously.”
However, some fans of Moore have chosen to focus on the positives, saying: “On the bright side, Demi Moore had a stellar awards season and has earned the admiration of a new, younger audience.”
Looking ahead, Moore’s career remains strong. After her critically acclaimed role in The Substance, which is available for streaming with a MUBI subscription, Moore’s next project will be I Love Boosters, a science fiction comedy directed by Boots Riley. She will star alongside Keke Palmer, LaKeith Stanfield, and Will Poulter.
Meanwhile, Madison’s Anora, which has already earned numerous accolades, will be available for streaming on Hulu starting March 17 in the US.
What’s your take on this? Did Demi Moore miss out on an accolade she deserved? Let us know your thoughts!
