Body language expert breaks down Demi Moore's 'disbelieving' reaction after losing Best Actress award at Oscars

Demi Moore was allegedly ‘gutted’ not to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, according to a body language expert.

After months of anticipation, the 97th Oscars took place last night (March 2) in Los Angeles, where first-time nominee Mikey Madison walked away with one of the most prestigious awards of the evening, the Best Actress gong.

The 25-year-old - who beat out the likes of Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo, Brazilian powerhouse Fernanda Torres, Karla Sofía Gascón and Demi Moore - earned the statuette for portraying the titular role in Sean Baker’s Anora.

Madison, who was previously honoured in the same category at the 2025 BAFTAs, faced stiff competition from Moore, 62, who picked up a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award and a Screen Actors Guild trophy this season for her role as Elisabeth Sparkle in Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance.

Demi Moore was nominated in the Best Actress category (ABC)

And according to body language expert Darren Stanton, she was not best pleased to lose out at the Academy Awards.

“Demi was absolutely gutted to not win this Oscar,” the specialist said, on behalf of Betfair Casino.

“We saw her masking her smiles when Mikey was announced the winner of Best Actress. After her success during this year’s awards season, I think she felt this was her time at the Oscars.

“We can see she was shocked and in disbelief of Mikey winning over her.”

You can watch the moment Madison is named Best Actress here:

Stanton went on to claim there was ‘no doubt’ that the Hollywood icon was ‘disappointed’ to be snubbed, remarking how she was ‘full of emotions’.

“Her mouth is wide open and her eyes are engaged fully onto the stage, showing us she just couldn’t believe what was happening in front of her,” he added.

“Her smiles did come across as disingenuous.”

Fans of both Madison and Moore have been debating the win online, with one remarking: "Demi Moore losing to Mikey Madison is basically the plot of The Substance.”

A second echoed: “Wow Demi Moore getting passed up for a younger brighter star someone should make a movie about this.”

Another social media user typed: “I’m very happy about that Mikey Madison win. Eliminate career sympathy tours in these Oscar races.”

Some fans were extremely pleased the Anora star was given the Oscar (ABC)

Someone else commented: “On the bright side Demi Moore won many awards this season and she got introduced to a new younger audience of people and I’m really hoping good scripts stack up on her desk and she just keeps getting amazing opportunities!”

Following her award-winning role in The Substance - which can be streamed with a MUBI subscription - Moore’s next project is set to be Boots Riley’s upcoming adventure science fiction comedy flick, I Love Boosters.

The mother-of-three is set to star alongside Keke Palmer, LaKeith Stanfield, and Will Poulter.

While you wait, you can stream the five-time Academy Award-winning movie Anora on Hulu in the US from March 17.

UNILAD has contacted representatives for Demi Moore for comment.