Through her portrayal of an actress grappling with the pressures of aging in "The Substance," the experience profoundly resonated with Demi Moore, now 62, and fundamentally altered her perspective on the aging process. As a speaker at the Time100 Summit on Wednesday and a featured member on the Time100 list, Moore was probed by Lucy Feldman, Time's editorial director, with the question, "You've been a pivotal figure in this cultural shift where women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s are being celebrated and recognized in narratives that were previously overlooked. This is incredibly exhilarating. What stories do you truly long to witness?"
Moore contends that the landscape today is vastly "different" from what it once was. "I believe there once existed a notion that certain phases concluded at a defined juncture, contrary to the truth—which is that we are constantly evolving, not reaching a termination," she elaborated.
"Recently, I've also contemplated the distinction between aging and being old, which we seem to have conflated. In reality, aging is an immense blessing," the actress emphasized, further stating, "I wouldn't exchange—nor would anyone's offer suffice—to be 21 again. Despite how appealing it may sound, it was a harrowing experience!"
Currently, Moore elucidates that she's in a serene realm of acceptance and liberty, a state she cherishes immensely and wouldn't alter. Earlier in the dialogue, Moore was inquired whether she envisioned herself on the Dolby Theatre stage in the future, following her best actress nomination defeat to Mikey Madison, despite being hailed as a frontrunner during awards season.
"That sounds delightful. I can't claim I'd be upset about it," Moore responded. "The question really is, 'Should I have won?' However, that's not how I view it, given that I didn't. I firmly adhere to the belief that everything in life occurs for my growth, not against me," she continued.
She added, "Of course, there's disappointment. Yet, I immediately acknowledge that there's a higher purpose I'm meant to serve, even if its nature remains unknown to me."
Moore, renowned for her role in "The Ghost," also acknowledged Madison's "remarkable performance." Regarding Moore's future endeavors, she asserted, "The message here is clear: there's still much work to be done; this issue isn't resolved yet."
