While she may not have taken home the Oscar, Demi Moore says she’s thankful for the “ride of a lifetime” following her unexpected Best Actress loss Sunday night to Anora star Mikey Madison.
Moore made her first public statement following the ceremony Monday, congratulating Madison and thanking her colleagues for the opportunity to star in Coralie Fargeat’s gender-charged body-horror The Substance, which provided the longtime A-lister with a career resurgence at the age of 62.
“As this awards season comes to a close, I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude for this journey. It’s been the ride of a lifetime and we’re just getting started!” she wrote on Instagram.
“Thank you to the cast, crew, and fans of @trythesubstance — @isimostar and @coralie_fargeat it’s been such an honor to work alongside you, learn from you, and celebrate this film with you,” the actress continued. “And a huge congratulations to #MikeyMadison — can’t wait to see what you do next,” she concluded along with a red-heart emoji.
Moore was on a winning streak this awards season, collecting accolades at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. Her near-perfect run led many to believe that she was a shoo-in for the Oscar, but Anora’s stunning (and for some, surprising) sweep Sunday put an end to those chances.
While many screamed snub on social media, others noted the pointed parallels between Moore’s loss and The Substance’s own plot.
A first-time Oscar nominee and first-time winner, Madison starred in Sean Baker’s Anora—a whirlwind slice-of-life portrayal of a sex worker’s harried love affair with a Russian oligarch’s son—that largely reigned Sunday night.
Alongside Madison’s Best Actress nod, Anora also went on to nab Best Editing, Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture.
“I want to recognize the breathtaking work of my fellow nominees,” Madison said during her acceptance speech. “This is a dream come true. I am probably going to wake up tomorrow.”
