Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

Demi Moore opens up about her struggles with body image and self-esteem, revealing the extreme measures she's taken to meet society's beauty standards.

Demi Moore's latest role in "The Substance" has garnered critical acclaim, but the film's exploration of body horror has also resonated deeply with the actress. Reflecting on her own experiences, Moore has candidly shared her struggles with body image and the lengths she went to conform to societal expectations.

In an interview with The Guardian, Moore admitted to feeling "raw and vulnerable" during filming, yet liberated at the same time. She embraced the opportunity to portray a character who undergoes a physical transformation, degrading into an almost unrecognizable state.

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

To fully immerse herself in the role, Moore donned grotesque prosthetics and bared it all for full-frontal nude scenes. The intense filming experience took a toll on her physical and mental well-being.

"I got shingles," Moore told the Los Angeles Times. "And I then lost, like, 20 pounds."

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

Committed to delivering a raw and authentic performance, Moore said, "You have to walk away feeling that you put it all on the table."

"The Substance" delves into the theme of perfection and the relentless pursuit of youth. Moore noted that the intense pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards was amplified in the film.

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

"It's not what's being done to you, it's what we do to ourselves," she told The Guardian. "That's what the movie has a depth to, the exploration of our psyches, our inner dialogue, that body horror seems to amplify."

Moore's experiences in Hollywood have been marked by a constant battle with body image. Despite her iconic status and millions earned from revealing roles, she has grappled with insecurities and self-doubt.

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

"I think there was a general sense about certain expectations," Moore said in an interview with The New York Times. "If you look at any advertising, everything was very clean and perfect, and there wasn't any body inclusivity."

"I did, as I wrote in the book, personally experience being told to lose weight on quite a few films before I ever even had my children," she added.

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

Moore's insecurities led her to accept provocative roles, including "Striptease" and posing nude for Vanity Fair. She believed that by embracing her body, she could overcome her fears.

"One of the biggest misconceptions about me is that I loved my body," Moore told Variety. "The reality is, so much of it was me calling in certain projects that would give me an opportunity to help me overcome insecurities."

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

After the commercial failures of "Striptease" and "G.I. Jane," Moore's career took a downturn. She believes that her fall from grace was partly due to the fact that she dared to challenge societal norms.

"'Striptease,' it was as if I had betrayed women, and with 'G.I. Jane,' it was as if I had betrayed men," Moore said. "But I think the interesting piece is that when I became the highest-paid actress — why is it that, at that moment, the choice was to bring me down?"

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

The scrutiny of Moore's body continued throughout her career. She faced criticism for wearing a bikini in "Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle" at age 40.

"It's more like I felt that feeling of, I'm not 20, I'm not 30, but I wasn't yet what they perceived as a mother," Moore told Interview Magazine.

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

While Moore's career has had its ups and downs, she doesn't see "The Substance" as a comeback. She simply believes that she's still evolving as an artist.

"I'm writing my own story, as opposed to my story being dictated to me based on my age," Moore said. "Who says somebody can't look a certain way or do certain things? Your 60s is not what your 60s used to be."

Demi Moore's Raw Confession: "I Had Absolutely No Value for Myself

Today, Moore embraces a more positive body image. She credits "The Substance" for giving her a "greater appreciation for myself as I am."

"One of the biggest themes of my career is challenging preconceived ideas and limitations," Moore said. "I'm at a point where I'm excited to be living in it."