Lip Reader Shares Demi Moore's One-Word Response To Mikey Madison's Oscar Win

Actress Demi Moore had a one-word reaction to losing the Best Actress award at the 2025 Oscars to "Anora" star Mikey Madison, and it did not go unnoticed.

Demi Moore was among a strong set of nominees for the Best Actress award, including Fernanda Torres for "I’m Still Here," "Emilia Pérez" star Karla Sofía Gascón, and "Wicked" actress Cynthia Erivo.

According to a lip reader, the "Substance" star appeared visibly disappointed when Madison's name was announced as the winner of the coveted Academy Award on Sunday night. Nicola Hickling, a professional lip reader, told the Daily Mail that Moore said “nice,” but her expression and body language told a different story.

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

A video shared on X also showed the 62-year-old actress clenching her jaw and looking tense as the 25-year-old’s name was called.

After making her way to the stage, Madison addressed the audience while clutching her Oscar.

“This is very surreal. I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here, standing in this room today, is really incredible,” she said.

The "Scream" star expressed gratitude to the movie’s production company and director Sean Baker before acknowledging the sex worker community. “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,” Madison shared.

Madison also honored her fellow nominees, saying, “I also just want to recognize the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you.”

"Anora," which tells the story of a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, was a standout at the 97th Academy Awards, taking home the Best Picture award over strong contenders like "The Brutalist," "Wicked," "Conclave," "A Complete Unknown," "Dune: Part Two," "Emilia Pérez," "I’m Still Here," "Nickel Boys," and "The Substance."

The film’s director, Sean Baker, also won Best Original Screenplay, Achievement in Film Editing, and Best Director.

Meanwhile, Moore’s "The Substance" took home the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Social media erupted with reactions to Demi Moore losing the Best Actress award at the 2025 Oscars, with many pointing out the ironic similarities to her film "The Substance."

A viral post on X captured the sentiment, “Wow, Demi Moore getting passed up for a younger, brighter star, someone should make a movie about this.” The post, which quickly gained traction, highlighted the uncanny resemblance to the plot of Moore’s movie.

The comparisons stem from "The Substance"’s storyline, which explores the pressures and sacrifices faced by aging actresses in Hollywood, often overshadowed by younger talent. Moore’s loss to 25-year-old Madison, whose role in "Anora" earned her the Best Actress win, felt like life imitating art to many viewers.

ESPN staff writer Paolo Uggetti weighed in, writing, “Demi Moore losing to Mikey Madison is basically the plot of 'The Substance.'”

Meanwhile, TV personality Roxy Striar echoed the sentiment, posting, “Mikey Madison was absolutely amazing, but her beating Demi Moore feels like the plot of 'The Substance.'”

Despite the disappointment expressed by her fans, Moore has maintained a grounded perspective on awards and recognition.

In a previous interview with The New York Times, she shared, “Whatever happens, I just keep focusing on remembering not to make it mean too much, but also not to make it mean too little. But I can enjoy all of it.”

Moore later added, “Women being marginalized at a certain age, particularly in the entertainment industry is the least-new information of the entire movie.”

The actress also spoke with Variety last year, where she expressed, “There’s evolution that has occurred, even, I would say from when I was 40. Because when I was 40 but didn’t look like what they imagined 40 should look like, they didn’t know what to do with me."

She continued, "I didn’t actually work that much, because I wasn’t 20 or 30. I think if we really look at the deeper crux of this, what we’re looking at is this old idea that women’s value and desirability was tied to their fertility.”