The veteran actress, nominated for her riveting performance in The Substance, was visibly disappointed when the award went to Mikey Madison, the 25-year-old star of Anora.

Moore’s reaction, captured on camera and analyzed by lip readers, revealed a mix of emotions that spoke volumes without the need for words.

According to Nicola Hickling, a professional lip reader who spoke with the Daily Mail, Moore uttered a single word— “nice”—after Madison’s name was announced. However, her demeanor suggested anything but enthusiasm.

“Demi says ‘nice,’ but she isn’t smiling when she says it,” Hickling observed. “Her body language is almost mechanical, as if she had to force herself to acknowledge the moment. She nods slightly, but her jaw tenses, betraying her true feelings.”

The moment, which quickly went viral after a video was shared on X (formerly Twitter), showed Moore, 62, sitting stiffly in her seat, her expression a blend of resignation and quiet disappointment.

The loss was particularly poignant given the intense competition in the Best Actress category.

Moore was nominated alongside Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here, Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez, and Cynthia Erivo for Wicked. Each performance had been hailed as a tour de force, making the category one of the most closely watched of the night.

Madison, who seemed to be in a state of disbelief, took to the stage to accept her Oscar. Clutching the statuette, she addressed the audience with a mix of awe and gratitude.

“This is very surreal,” she began. “I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. To be here, standing in this room today, is truly incredible.” She went on to thank the film’s production team and director, Sean Baker, before dedicating a portion of her speech to the sex worker community, whose stories are central to Anora.

“I want to recognize and honor the sex worker community,” Madison said. “Yes, I will continue to support and be an ally. Meeting the incredible people, especially the women, from that community has been one of the most meaningful aspects of this journey.”

She also paid tribute to her fellow nominees, describing their work as “thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, and breathtaking,” and expressed her honor at being recognized alongside them. “This is a dream come true,” she added with a laugh. “I’m probably going to wake up tomorrow and wonder if this really happened.”

Anora, a poignant and provocative film about a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, was the night’s big winner, taking home the award for Best Picture. It triumphed over a formidable lineup of contenders, including The Brutalist, Wicked, Conclave, A Complete Unknown, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, and The Substance.

Meanwhile, The Substance secured an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, a testament to the film’s technical brilliance.

For Moore, the Oscars loss came after a triumphant awards season. Earlier this year, she won her first Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role in The Substance, as well as a Critics Choice Award and a Satellite Award.

Her performance, widely praised for its depth and intensity, had positioned her as a frontrunner in the Best Actress race. While the Oscars outcome may have been disappointing, Moore’s legacy as a trailblazing actress remains firmly intact.

As the night unfolded, the contrast between Moore’s subdued reaction and Madison’s exuberant acceptance speech highlighted the emotional highs and lows of awards season.

For Madison, the win marked the beginning of a new chapter in her career, while for Moore, it served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Hollywood’s most prestigious accolades.

Both actresses, in their own ways, left an indelible mark on the 2025 Oscars, ensuring that the evening would be remembered for its moments of triumph, humility, and raw emotion.

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