Demi Moore, aged 61, is not shying away from the topic of aging. In her upcoming horror film “The Substance,” she plays an aging movie star who takes a pill to create a younger version of herself. Despite appearing nude in the movie and receiving critical acclaim, Moore maintains that her mindset about aging remains unchanged. She believes in challenging preconceived ideas and limitations, and is now at a point in her life where she is writing her own story rather than having it dictated based on her age. She believes that one’s 60s are not what they used to be and is enjoying figuring things out as she goes along.
Moore’s career choices and portrayal of her body in various projects have been the subject of much discussion over the years. Whether it be shaving her head for “G.I. Jane,” posing pregnant and nude on the cover of Vanity Fair, or going topless in the movie “Striptease,” Moore has pushed boundaries in her career. Despite assumptions that she was highly confident in her appearance, Moore reveals that many of her choices were geared towards overcoming insecurities about her body. She is drawn to projects that provoke meaningful thought rather than simply being provocative in a sexual sense.
In the 1990s, Moore was one of the biggest box office draws, but her career took a turn after appearing in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” in 2003, when she turned 40. She recalls that there was an increased focus on her external self, and she was unsure of where she fit in the industry at that time. However, Moore believes that things have changed since then, with more interesting roles now available for women in their 40s to 50s. “The Substance,” the film in which Moore stars, harshly addresses the entertainment industry’s judgments and beauty standards, challenging the idea that a woman’s desirability ends with her fertility in Hollywood.
Despite the misconceptions about her confidence in her appearance, Moore acknowledges that her career has always been about pushing boundaries and overcoming insecurities. She notes that she was particularly challenged in her 40s, when she felt that people did not quite know how to categorize her. She was not comfortably identified as a mother figure, and there seemed to be no place for her in the industry at that time. Nonetheless, Moore remains determined to challenge norms and perceptions about aging and desirability in Hollywood, as she continues to navigate her career on her own terms.
Moore’s role in “The Substance” has garnered critical acclaim, with some early Oscar buzz following a 13-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The film’s exploration of aging and the entertainment industry’s beauty standards is a reflection of Moore’s own experiences and challenges in the industry. As she continues to break barriers and challenge stereotypes, Moore remains committed to writing her own story and defying expectations based on her age. She believes that there are more opportunities now for women in their 40s to 50s in the industry, paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive landscape for actresses of all ages.
