Demi Moore Talks About Her Role in Striptease
In a recent interview with New York TimesDemi Moore has looked back on a turning point in her career that shaped Hollywood history, but also her perception of celebrity. In 1996, the actress earned a record-breaking $12.5 million for her role in the film Stripteasedirected by Andrew Bergman. This astronomical sum was made the highest paid actress of the timesymbol of progress for equal pay in Hollywood, but also, in her own words, a “poisoned chalice.”
Striptease tells the story of Erin Grant, a single mother who becomes a stripper in an attempt to regain custody of her daughter. The film, presented as a mix of drama and black comedy, relies on the performance of Demi Moore, who does not hesitate to appearing topless in some scenes. However, the film did not have the hoped-for success.
Despite a much-hyped release, Striptease grossed only $113 million at the worldwide box office, a disappointing figure compared to the producers’ expectations. Critics, for their part, were particularly seriousdescribing the film as an artistic failure, criticizing both the screenplay and Moore’s performance. The film won 6 Razzie Awards the year of its release, becoming the worst film of 1996. This double financial and critical setback had a lasting impact on Demi Moore’s career.
A poisoned salary?
If Demi Moore’s $12.5 million salary for Striptease It was a step forward towards equal pay in the industry, the actress confides that it was also the starting pointa series of professional setbacks. He discusses how his salary, which has become a media sensation in its own right, has eclipsed the value of his work and transformed his public image.
In an interview with The New York Times, she admitted feeling ashamed at the level of criticism: “It was like I had betrayed women,” she said. The film dealt with issues related to the female body and sexuality, but the negative reception led some to see it as a symbol of everything that was wrong with the representation of women on screen at the time. This focus on her prestige, rather than her performance or the content of the film, later helped to weaken her career.
The comparison with Bruce Willis is inevitable
At the time, Demi Moore was married to one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Bruce Willis, who also earned colossal salaries, such as the 15 million dollars he received for A day in hell (1995). Moore stresses, however, that his intention was not to compete with him, but simply to demand a fair salary. For her, the problem lies in the public and media perception that a woman can earn such an amount of money.
She draws a parallel with the famous Vanity Fair cover in which she appeared pregnant: “I didn’t understand why it was so serious, why pregnant women had to hide?” she says, noting that her career has often been influenced by issues of social perception and gender equality.
A lasting impact on his career
After StripteaseDemi Moore has struggled to find iconic roles like those that marked the beginning of the 90s, a period during which she achieved a series of successes (Ghost, men of honor, Indecent proposal). Although it is the stamp for Striptease remains an important milestone in Hollywood history, the film itself did not have the desired effect on his career. His participation in All things being equal (1997), another controversial project, only made matters worse.
Despite these setbacks, Demi Moore has remained active in the industry and her recent comebacks include The substance (screenplay award at the last Cannes Film Festival) marks a new phase in his career.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
