Demi Moore made headlines as the highest-paid female actor in the world with her $12.5 million salary for the 1996 film “Striptease.” In a recent conversation on The New York Times’ “The Interview” podcast, she shared how this achievement sparked backlash against her.
Moore noted, “With ‘Striptease,’ it was as if I had betrayed women, and with ‘G.I. Jane,’ it felt like I had betrayed men.” She reflected on the criticism she faced when she began earning as much as her male counterparts, questioning why she was targeted instead of celebrated. “I don’t take this personally,” she said. “Anyone in my position would likely take a hit for being the first to achieve pay equality.”
While married to Bruce Willis at the time, Moore emphasized that her salary was not a comparison to his earnings. “It wasn’t about comparing myself to him. Yes, I saw what he got paid. It was really more about: ‘Why shouldn’t I? If I’m doing the same amount of work, why shouldn’t I?’”
Moore also discussed the societal stigma surrounding women, referencing her famous pregnant Vanity Fair cover and challenging the idea that pregnancy should be hidden. “Why do we have to deny that we had sex?” she asked.
In a recent Variety cover story, Moore expressed pride in her record-breaking salary, stating it was “so powerful for me because it wasn’t just about me; it was about changing the playing field for all women.” However, she lamented that portraying a stripper led to narratives framing her earnings as unearned. “It hit me really hard,” she admitted, recognizing the challenges faced by anyone who disrupts the status quo.
