Demi Moore grew emotional while claiming the prize for best actress in a comedy or musical film at the 2025 Golden Globes.
“Oh wow. I really wasn’t expecting that. I’m just in shock right now. I’ve been doing this a long time, like over 45 years and this is the first time I’ve ever won anything as an actor,” she told the crowd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 5. “I’m just so humbled and so grateful.
Moore, 62, who won for the body-horror satire The Substancesaid in her speech that a producer once dismissed her as a “popcorn actress” 30 years ago.
“At that time, I made that mean that this wasn’t something that I was allowed to have, that I could do movies that were successful, that made a lot of money, but that I couldn’t be acknowledged. And I bought in, and I believed that, and that corroded me over time, to the point where I thought a few years ago that maybe this was it, maybe I was complete, maybe I’ve done what I was supposed to do,” she said.
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“And as I was at kind of a low point, I had this magical, bold, courageous, out of the box, absolutely bonkers script come across my desk called The Substanceand the universe told me that you’re not done,” she continued.
“I’ll just leave you with one thing that I think this movie is imparting is in those moments when we don’t think we’re smart enough or pretty enough or skinny enough or successful enough, or basically just not enough,” she added.
“I had a woman say to me, ‘Just know you will never be enough, but you can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.’ And so today, I celebrate this as a marker of my wholeness and of the love that is driving me and for the gift of doing something I love and being reminded that I do belong. Thank you so much,” said Moore before exiting the stage.
The Substance brings Moore her third Golden Globe nomination but first in many years; she was last recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for 1990’s Ghost and 1996 TV movie If These Walls Could Talk. The horror satire from French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, in which Moore portrays a successful actress who attempts to reverse her aging process, also earned nominations for best motion picture musical or comedy, Margaret Qualley’s supporting performance, directing and writing.
Also nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association were Amy Adams for NightbitchCynthia Erivo for WickedKarla Sofía Gascón for Emilia PerezMikey Madison for Anora and Zendaya for Challengers.
Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
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Before its Nikki Glaser-hosted ceremony, which aired on CBS and Paramount+, the 82nd annual Golden Globes announced its nominations on Dec. 9, giving the most nods to Emilia Perez and Hulu comedy The Bear.
Moore was up against some other standout actresses this year.
Adams, 50, received the sole Golden Globe nod for Nightbitchwriter-director Marielle Heller’s adaptation of the Rachel Yoder novel of the same name. The six-time Oscar nominee and now 10-time Globe nominee (Adams won in 2014 for American Hustle and in 2015 for Big Eyes) plays a new stay-at-home parent known only as Mother, who increasingly becomes convinced that she’s turning into a dog.
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Wicked: Part Onedirector Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, went into this year’s Globes ceremony with four nods, including for best musical or comedy motion picture. Erivo, 37, and her costar Ariana Grande notched recognition for their work as the future witches of Oz — Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. Their performances have also been honored by the Critics Choice Awards, National Board of Review and more. This marks Erivo’s fourth overall Globe nod.
Breakout star Gascón, 52, plays the titular role in Emilia PerezFrench filmmaker Jacques Audiard’s tale of a Mexican cartel leader-turned-transgender woman. For her work in that role, the Spanish actress made history as the first out trans woman to be nominated for a film Golden Globe. The movie costars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez, both recognized in the Globes’ supporting actress category.
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Madison, 25, leads Anora in the titular role, a sex worker experiencing a whirlwind Cinderella story. Golden Globe nominators also recognized supporting actor Yura Borisov and filmmaker Sean Baker in the directing and writing categories. The Globes are one of several awards shows where Madison’s acclaimed performance is honored; she’s been nominated at the upcoming Critics Choice Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards and more.
Courtesy of TIFF
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Zendaya, 28, already has a Golden Globe to her name thanks to her 2023 win for leading HBO’s drama Euphoria (which also made her a two-time Emmy winner). Nominated for Challengersdirector Luca Guadagnino’s tale of a love triangle of tennis players, adds to the acclaim she’s received for the performance, including a special tribute from this year’s Gotham Awards.
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See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 82nd annual Golden Globes ceremony, which was broadcast live from The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+.
