Kathy Bates 'Never Thought' of Demi Moore as a 'Popcorn Actress': 'I Love Seeing Her Being Recognized'

Mar. 15, 2025

Kathy Bates and Demi Moore on Feb. 7, 2025.Photo:Frazer Harrison/Getty; Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

Frazer Harrison/Getty; Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

Kathy Batesis cheering onDemi Moorethis awards season.After Bates, 76, and Moore, 62, bothwonawards at the 2025Critics Choice Awardson Friday, Feb. 7, Bates responded to questions from reporters in the press room about the horror genre seeing surprising representation at the upcomingAcademy Awards, where Moore’s filmThe Substancereceived five nominations, including for Moore’s performance.“I always felt it’s the performance you can’t really substitute. It’s the work that always speaks for itself,” Bates, who won a Critics Choice Award on Feb. 7 for her work in the CBS legal dramaMatlock, said backstage. The actressmemorably won an Oscar in 1991for her leading role in the adaptation of Stephen King’s horror novelMisery.“I did see [The Substance], I think it’s great. I never thought of Demi as a popcorn actress ever,” Bates added, noting Moore’s anecdote from her speech the Golden Globe Awards in January, in which she said a Hollywood producer once referred to her as “a popcorn actress.““She’s Demi. She’s done amazing work and I love seeing her being recognized for this,” Bates said. “And as she said, it’s an absolute bonkers movie, but so true. And I just think when you make a real human being, no matter what the genre is, you make a real human being people can relate to then I think you’re in.“Coralie Fargeat, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley on Feb. 7, 2025.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyMoore appears to be the frontrunner to win the Oscars' Best Actress award after picking up wins at the Golden Globes and at the Critics Choice Awards. At the forthcoming 97th Academy Awards on March 2, Moore is nominated alongside Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Mikey Madison (Anora) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here).Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I just want to say the very recognition, not just for me, but for what this film is about, what it’s trying to convey, your acknowledgement is almost like the elixir. It is the healing balm to the very issue the film brings forward,” Moore said while accepting her Critics Choice Award on Feb. 7.Kathy Bates on Feb. 7, 2025.Kevin Winter/Getty"And I am so grateful not just for my performance, but that you have highlighted this film, this genre of, normally horror films, that are overlooked and not seen for the profundity that they can hold,” Moore continued.Bates, meanwhile, was also nominated for her role inMatlockat the Golden Globes, butShōgun’s Anna Sawai took home that honor.

Kathy Batesis cheering onDemi Moorethis awards season.

After Bates, 76, and Moore, 62, bothwonawards at the 2025Critics Choice Awardson Friday, Feb. 7, Bates responded to questions from reporters in the press room about the horror genre seeing surprising representation at the upcomingAcademy Awards, where Moore’s filmThe Substancereceived five nominations, including for Moore’s performance.

“I always felt it’s the performance you can’t really substitute. It’s the work that always speaks for itself,” Bates, who won a Critics Choice Award on Feb. 7 for her work in the CBS legal dramaMatlock, said backstage. The actressmemorably won an Oscar in 1991for her leading role in the adaptation of Stephen King’s horror novelMisery.

“I did see [The Substance], I think it’s great. I never thought of Demi as a popcorn actress ever,” Bates added, noting Moore’s anecdote from her speech the Golden Globe Awards in January, in which she said a Hollywood producer once referred to her as “a popcorn actress.”

“She’s Demi. She’s done amazing work and I love seeing her being recognized for this,” Bates said. “And as she said, it’s an absolute bonkers movie, but so true. And I just think when you make a real human being, no matter what the genre is, you make a real human being people can relate to then I think you’re in.”

Coralie Fargeat, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley on Feb. 7, 2025.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Moore appears to be the frontrunner to win the Oscars' Best Actress award after picking up wins at the Golden Globes and at the Critics Choice Awards. At the forthcoming 97th Academy Awards on March 2, Moore is nominated alongside Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Mikey Madison (Anora) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here).

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I just want to say the very recognition, not just for me, but for what this film is about, what it’s trying to convey, your acknowledgement is almost like the elixir. It is the healing balm to the very issue the film brings forward,” Moore said while accepting her Critics Choice Award on Feb. 7.

Kathy Bates on Feb. 7, 2025.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

“And I am so grateful not just for my performance, but that you have highlighted this film, this genre of, normally horror films, that are overlooked and not seen for the profundity that they can hold,” Moore continued.

Bates, meanwhile, was also nominated for her role inMatlockat the Golden Globes, butShōgun’s Anna Sawai took home that honor.

source: people.com