Demi Moore exercised and dieted rigorously while starring in her earlier movies. Now, she’s comfortable with her appearance, but occasional self-doubt slips in. Comparisons of her looks from a few years ago to now aim to discredit her claims of never undergoing cosmetic surgery.
In her latest movie, Demi Moore addresses themes like aging, self-acceptance, self-hate, self-esteem, and more. The actress is no stranger to criticism about her looks, and while she has faced it before, a doctor recently added to the scrutiny.
Demi Moore at The Twelfth Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York City on November 2, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Moore is an actress, director, and producer born on November 11, 1962, in Roswell, New Mexico. She is well-known for starring in films such as 1990’s “Ghost,” 1993’s “Indecent Proposal,” and 2003’s “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.” As she approaches her 62nd birthday in November 2024, Moore seems to be aging in reverse.
Demi Moore at Prada Presents “Past Forward,” A Short Film By David O. Russell in Los Angeles on November 15, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Her latest role, in 2024’s psychological horror “The Substance,” showcased her youthful looks. Ironically, the two-hour, 21-minute movie centers on a celebrity, Elisabeth Sparkle, whose fame fades with age. She then takes an illegal, cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger and improved version of herself.
A younger version of Demi Moore’s character in “The Substance” in the official trailer released on August 15, 2024 | Source: YouTube/MUBI
The substance transforms Sparkle into a self-absorbed but youthful version of her older self, who then threatens to destroy them both. French writer and director Coralie Fargeat shared what kind of actress was necessary for this role.
She explained, “The part needed to be embodied by an actress who was a symbol herself.” Fargeat noted that she recognized, “Those kinds of actresses would be frightened by jumping into something that confronts them with their own phobias.”
Demi Moore’s older character in “The Substance” in the official trailer released on August 15, 2024 | Source: YouTube/MUBI
What made Moore ideal, however, was that she’d already faced the fears her character battles, including the self-hatred and turmoil they bring. The director felt that the actress was suited for the role because “she has processed all that in a peaceful way.”
Yet, there are contrasts between the star and Sparkle; the character strips away layers of herself seeking men’s approval, while at 61, Moore is at ease with herself. Fargeat emphasized that the film taught an important lesson: chasing something you believe is better can lead to losing what you already have.
Demi Moore’s older character in “The Substance” in the official trailer released on August 15, 2024 | Source: YouTube/MUBI
Moore also explained her motivation for taking the role. In an interview, she said, “What you described is what moved me when I read the script, because it was such a unique way to be exploring this issue of aging, of societal conditioning, of what I also see as the pressure of the male-idealized woman that we as women have bought into.”
She appreciated seeing a physical representation of the self-inflicted violence in our thoughts, as people often attack themselves and distort things. The actress believes there is power in understanding that we have the option to make different choices for ourselves.
The illegal substance used by Demi Moore’s character in “The Substance” in the official trailer released on August 15, 2024 | Source: YouTube/MUBI
To keep things light, she added, “And for those who aren’t looking for such a deep message, it’s just entertaining.” Despite her work confronting her body image fears, she is still human and sometimes judges herself harshly. In the past, she’s been accused of altering her body through cosmetic surgery.
Moore’s Struggles with Aging and the Criticism She’s Gotten over the Years
In a recent interview about her latest film, Moore was taken aback when her stylist, Brad Goreski, sent her photos via text. The actress showed her humanity when she tensed up while viewing the images on her iPad.
When her interviewer inquired if anything was wrong, Moore replied, “I’m not perfect. Sometimes I’ll look at a photo and think, ‘I look old,’ or whatever.” Yet, she shared how she copes, saying, “But I’ve learned to deal with it.”
Demi Moore at the Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference in Laguna Beach, California, on October 22, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Making the film didn’t dramatically shift her views on aging, but it deepened her appreciation for who she is. She further explained, “One of the biggest themes of my career is challenging preconceived ideas and limitations.”
Now, Moore feels she is in control of her own story rather than having it dictated by her age. She expressed her disagreement with society’s tendency to define how someone should look or act based on age.
The actress stated, “Your 60s is not what your 60s used to be. There’s a part of me that’s enjoying figuring it out as I go along.” She revealed that her 40s brought more career challenges than she faces now.
At that time, her identity in Hollywood was unclear as no one knew what to do with her. She elaborated, “I wasn’t 30, but I wasn’t 40 in a way that people could comfortably identify me as a mother, etc. There was no place for me.”
When she starred in movies like “G.I. Jane” and “Striptease,” she was consumed with exercise and diet, not only because the roles demanded it. But, after “G.I. Jane,” she felt burnt out and decided to stop working out.
Explaining her decision, she said, “I realised I needed to come from the inside and find a sense of peace. I realised being thin did not equal happiness. [sic]” The star ultimately discovered that she feels and looks her best when she’s happy and doesn’t overexert herself.
Demi Moore and Bruce Willis at the premiere of “G.I. Jane” in New York City in June 1996 | Source: Getty Images
Despite her insights, the media’s perspective is different, with reports claiming she spent $3 million on a new body. These false rumors frustrated Moore, who felt battling the tabloids only “perpetuates the myth.”
Things hit a peak when several tabloids alleged she had cosmetic surgery on her knees. The rumors made her question if she should be concerned about her knees. During an interview, the reporter even checked for scars and found none.
Moore remarked, “It’s not just my knees. They say I’ve had multiple face surgeries.” In 2007, while getting a facial, rumors surfaced claiming she was undergoing extensive surgical procedures.
The star has repeatedly insisted she has never had work done on her face, a fact her interviewer confirmed. Additionally, the actress has never undergone liposuction, and speaking to “Today” about being in her 60s, she expressed, “I feel like this is the most exciting time of my life.”
She explained that with her children now adults, she has the “most independence and autonomy to really re-define where I wanna go.” Though she’s unsure what that path will look like, she’s excited to be on it.
Demonstrating the attention Moore receives for her appearance, a doctor recently compared photos of her from 2019 to September 2024 to highlight her transformation. He also mentioned the cosmetic procedures he suspects she’s had.
Moore’s Transformation over Recent Years
On October 28, 2024, Dr. Jonny Betteridge, an aesthetics doctor and founder of JB Aesthetics, shared an analysis on Instagram detailing Moore’s transformation over the last few years. He remarked that she “looks like she’s aging backwards.”
Referring to a 2019 photo, he observed, “Some characteristic signs of aging to the face and neck with skin laxity and volume loss being the predominant features,” with volume loss as the primary concern, according to Betteridge.
Demi Moore at The Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion on May 6, 2019, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
He also referenced another photo that it “sparked speculation of her changing appearance.” Comparing those images to one from “The Substance’s” premiere in September 2024, he noted significant differences.
Demi Moore in Kim Jones attire for the Fendi’s Spring-Summer 2021 collection during the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, in Paris, on January 27, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Demi Moore at the 27th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Celebration on October 19, 2021, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Demi Moore at The Fashion Awards on November 29, 2021, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Betteridge pointed out, “Notice how her face has changed from how we saw it a few years ago to now, a much more lifted and tighter appearance. These features are likely attributed to a deep plane face and neck lift.”
Demi Moore at the Los Angeles premiere of “The Substance” on September 16, 2024, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
He then shared a video from the same period, zooming in on her ear to display what he claimed was a surgical scar, possibly from a facelift. Betteridge also noted that her “eye area has a much smoother contour, and her eyelids are also more visible.”
Dr. Jonny Betteridge talked about the work Demi Moore allegedly did to her face while attending the Los Angeles premiere of “The Substance” in a post uploaded on October 28, 2024 | Source: Instagram/drjb.aesthetics
The doctor attributed these changes to an upper and lower blepharoplasty, a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the eyelids. He suggested that this is why Demi Moore now appears youthful and wrinkle-free around her eyes.
Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore at the Los Angeles premiere of “The Substance” on September 16, 2024, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Betteridge, who offers non-surgical treatments like skin care, Botox, and dermal fillers, believes Moore’s transformation is an example of how skillful plastic surgery can refresh a person’s look without altering their natural appearance.
Demi Moore at the 27th SCAD Savannah Film Festival on October 27, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia | Source: Getty Images
Seeing the actress during her movie’s premiere, netizens rushed to leave their opinions on her looks. One person said, “She looks younger than her daughters. Magnificent. 🥰.” Siding with Betteridge, an Instagram user claimed, “Demi’s plastic surgeon is a magician.”
Demi Moore at the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, in Paris, on January 27, 2021 | Demi Moore at the Los Angeles premiere of “The Substance” on September 16, 2024, in Los Angeles, California | Sources: Getty Images
Someone else wrote, “Demi and Denis are both super hot. And not for their age just objectively hot. But both are styled/dresses ridiculously. Demi trying to be 25 years old and Denis in, what looks like, an entirely thrifted outfit. [sic]”
A fourth person who supported the actress noted, “It’s crazy how good demi looks. And she’s the mother of all 3!❤️❤️❤️.” Irrespective of people’s differing opinions on her appearance, Moore continues to age happily and gracefully.
