Demi Moore and Scout Willis are making headlines as they celebrate their artistic journeys, showcasing the strength of their mother-daughter relationship. On October 3, 2024, Scout Willis, the daughter of Moore and actor Bruce Willis, released her new single "Take Me," signaling her continued evolution as a musician. Just days later, on October 5, Demi Moore took to Instagram to express her pride, sharing the artwork for the single and captioning it, "'TAKE ME' by @scoutlaruewillis. Beautiful song. Beautiful YOU. So proud of you my love!" Scout responded earnestly with, "Thank you mama ." This supportive exchange highlights the nurturing bond they share as Moore has always encouraged her daughter to embrace her artistry.
Scout's foray back to music is not just limited to one release; it follows her previous single "Over and Over" this year and precedes her debut album released back in June 2022. Willis has been vocal about her past trepidations relating to pursuing music full-time, sharing, "I initially had this idea of should not and couldn't pursue music full-time," attributing her previous hesitations to fears of vulnerability and exposure. Now, embracing her personal growth, she reflected, "Looking back through the lens of this album and my own personal growth work, I've never been more in love with myself and my life than I am right now." Such sentiments are often echoed by Demi, who has been instrumental in promoting the importance of inner beauty and self-acceptance to her daughters.
During the Los Angeles premiere of "The Substance," Scout took the time to reflect on her mother’s influence, stating, "She’s a model of working on feeling good from the inside." This essence of internal beauty is significant within the entertainment industry which tends to prioritize external appearances. Scout emphasized the need to feel beautiful, sexy, and embodied from within, echoing the sentiments imparted by her mother. Demi's latest film portrays these beauty standards with satire, as her character experiments with extreme measures to regain lost youth.
The film, "The Substance," has garnered Moore unprecedented recognition, earning her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress at age 62. "This wholejourney has just been shock and awe," she candidly stated, admitting, "I had no expectations, so everything has been a surprise...and honestly, that's really beautiful." The film critiques Hollywood’s obsession with youth and beauty, reinforcing the cultural pressures faced by women, particularly as they age.
Moore’s candid performance exemplifies the lengths she went to bring authenticity to her role. "It was really tough," she recalled, referencing the intense direction and multiple takes demanded by filmmaker Coralie Fargeat. "Coralie likes to do a lot of takes—we didn’t do fewer than 15 on each segment," Moore expressed. This rigorous approach led her to create dialogues with herself, allowing her character’s emotional unraveling to resonate with audiences. "It’s also the ‘Fuck it!’ moment. You want her to be happy, and she’s so close," Moore added, reflecting on pivotal scenes within the film.
Reflecting on the nuances of the industry, Moore expressed, "We’ve all heard the narrative — women of a certain age are discarded, overlooked. But look at what’s happening now. There’s interest in our stories. There’s room for us. And that's exciting." This mindset serves as both encouragement and empowerment for women artists as they seek opportunities beyond traditional roles assigned to them by Hollywood. Moore conveyed her own experiences of transformation as well, stating, "I had hit a low point where I didn’t feel like I was being challenged" before the arrival of "The Substance," which reignited her passion for acting.
Amongst career triumphs, Moore maintains deep commitments to family, especially concerning Bruce Willis, who has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia since 2022. Despite their divorce, Moore has ensured to provide unwavering support. "We will always be a family, just in different form," she reiterated. Moore emphasized, “I show up because that's what you do for the people you love," describing her weekly visits to Bruce, affirming their commitment to maintaining family bonds, irrespective of life's changes.
The close-knit dynamics amid their family, which includes daughters Rumer, 36, and Tallulah, 30, reflect the resilience they exhibit together. Moore hopes to bolster other families experiencing change, saying, "I hope it's encouraging for others to see there’s life after divorce. There is a way to co-parent with love." With the conversation shifting back to the entertainment world, she playfully engaged with questions about her past roles, infusing humor along with her reflections.
Looking toward the future, Moore has no intentions of slowing down after wrapping up her latest film roles. "This feels like a new beginning for me," she shared with enthusiasm, wanting to keep her options open for whatever projects may come next. "I don’t know where it’s going, but I’m excited," Moore expressed, embodying the anticipation of the next chapter of her storied career.
Scout’s recent musical endeavors alongside Demi's cinematic renaissance form narratives of female empowerment and evolution. Together, mother and daughter illuminate the multifaceted journeys within the realms of art and family, showcasing how beauty is both found within and crafted within one’s craft.