Off The Record

Demi Moore’s One-Word Response To Losing Out On The Best Actress Oscar Is Revealed By A Lip Reader

Published on March 3, 2025

A lip reader has commented on Demi Moore’s response to The Substance star’s loss of the Oscar for Best Actress.

Before Friday night’s presentation on March 2, Moore was widely favored to win because of her performance as Elisabeth Sparkle in the body horror film The Substance, which received widespread praise and earned the 62-year-old a Golden Globe.

But the 25-year-old Mikey Madison ended up winning, proving the bookies incorrect.

Since Moore’s first response to the loss was captured on camera, many people attempted to interpret her words when Madison’s name was called.

Nicola Hickling, a lip reader, has now commented on the argument, telling MailOnline what she thought Moore said right after losing.

“Demi says ‘nice’ but she isn’t smiling when she says it. Her body is almost nodding like she had to force herself to say it,” she told the outlet.

Moore’s loss of the opportunity to win a Best Actress award also saddened fans, with many even drawing comparisons between the choice and the plot of The Substance. For those who didn’t see the body horror movie, Moore’s character, who was rejected from Hollywood due to her age, starts using a de-aging drug on the underground market.

“Demi Moore losing Best Actress to a younger, hotter actress is literally what The Substance is about. Crazy,” one user commented on social media.

“Demi Moore was absolutely snubbed and you’ll NEVER change my mind. The Oscars just proved square and fair they don’t take older women seriously and they don’t take Horror seriously,” a second viewer penned, while a third simply added: “Demi Moore robbed.”

Despite Moore’s initial disappointment at losing out, the actress overcame her emotions and was spotted cheering Madison on as she walked onto the stage to get the prize.

Madison won the prize for her performance in the romantic comedy Anora, directed by Sean Baker. The film follows the narrative of Anora Mikheeva, a young dancer who controversially weds the son of a Russian oligarch.

The actress paid homage to the sex worker community during her acceptance speech, telling the audience: “I also just want to, again, recognise and honour the sex worker community. I will. Yes. I will continue to support and be an ally.”

“All of the incredible people, the women that I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community has been one of the highlights of this incredible experience.”

In addition to winning five of the six Oscars for which it was nominated, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, Anora was one of the night’s biggest success stories.

Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Darya Ekamasova, and Aleksei Serebryakov were among the largely Russian actors who starred in the movie.