Demi Moore, who made headlines in 1996 as the highest-paid female actor in the world with a $12.5 million salary for “Striptease,” recently discussed the ensuing backlash she faced. The conversation centered on the criticism she encountered as her earnings rivaled those of male actors.
Moore described how her success with “Striptease” seemed to trigger a wave of criticism. “With ‘Striptease,’ it was as if I had betrayed women, and with ‘G.I. Jane,’ it felt like I had betrayed men,” Moore reflected. She expressed her view that the scrutiny was less about her personally and more about the broader implications of her record-setting salary. “When I became the highest-paid actress, the response was to bring me down. I don’t take it personally. I believe anyone who was first to achieve such pay equality would face similar challenges.”
Moore, who was married to actor Bruce Willis during the time she earned the record salary, acknowledged being aware of his earnings but stressed that her focus was on fair compensation for her work. “It wasn’t about comparing myself to him,” she said. “It was really more about: ‘Why shouldn’t I? If I’m doing the same amount of work, why shouldn’t I?’”
The actress also reflected on the controversy surrounding her 1991 Vanity Fair cover, which featured her pregnant and nude. She questioned why pregnancy and sexuality were still subjects of shame. “Why do we have to hide that we had sex? It’s as if showing a pregnant belly implies something shameful.”
In a recent Variety cover story, Moore emphasized that her record-breaking salary for “Striptease” was significant not just for her but for women in general. “It was so powerful for me because it wasn’t just about me; it was about changing the playing field for all women,” she said. However, she noted that the portrayal of a stripper led to criticisms that she was not deserving of her salary. “The narrative quickly became ‘Well, she’s only getting paid that number because she’s playing a stripper.’ It hit me really hard. But I understood that stepping out first often means taking the hit.”
Moore’s new film, “The Substance,” is set to open in theaters on September 20, distributed by Mubi.
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