The 97th Academy Awards brought both triumph and disappointment, leaving some nominees reeling from the unexpected results. One of the night’s most surprising moments came when 25-year-old Mikey Madison took home the Oscar for Best Actress, an award many had anticipated would go to Demi Moore.
Madison, who starred in the lead role of Sean Baker’s Anora, secured her first Academy Award after an impressive awards season. She had already won a BAFTA for Best Actress and was up against an exceptionally talented group of nominees, including Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Fernanda Torres, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Moore.
For Moore, the loss was particularly shocking. After securing wins at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards for her role as Elisabeth Sparkle in The Substance, she was considered a frontrunner for the Oscar. Many believed she had the momentum to claim the award, making the final result all the more unexpected.
Body language expert Darren Stanton analyzed Moore’s reaction, noting that she appeared visibly distressed. “Demi was absolutely gutted to not win this Oscar,” he observed. “Her facial expressions suggested she was trying to mask her feelings when Mikey was announced as the winner of Best Actress.”
Stanton pointed out that Moore’s initial reaction included widened eyes and a slightly open mouth, signaling disbelief. “Her smiles looked forced and didn’t appear genuine, reflecting the emotional disappointment she felt,” he added.
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