In 996, Demi Moore became the subject of intense scrutiny with the release of the film Striptease.
It wasn’t necessarily the nature of the production that upset fans; instead, Moore’s record-breaking paycheck of $US12.5 million (approx $18 million) turned heads.
Moore was officially the highest-paid female actor in the world when she landed the role; now, she’s opening up about how people tried to tear her down.
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Speaking with The New York Times’ The Interview podcast, the star said when she started earning an income that rivalled that of her male counterparts, people weren’t pleased.
“Well, with 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?
“I don’t take this personally. I think anyone who had been in the position that was the first to get that kind of equality of pay would probably have taken a hit.
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“But because I did a film that was dealing with the world of stripping and the body, I was extremely shamed.”
At the time, Moore was married to her fellow A-lister husband, Bruce Willis and though the actress didn’t compare their careers, she was aware of his salary.
“It wasn’t about comparing myself to him. Yes, I saw what he got paid,” Moore said.
“It was really more about: ‘Why shouldn’t I? If I’m doing the same amount of work, why shouldn’t I?'”
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It isn’t the first time Moore has provided context to the backlash she faced for her paycheck, sharing more details with Variety.
The actress said the Striptease salary was “so powerful for me because it wasn’t just about me; it was about changing the playing field for all women. But because I was portraying a stripper, I betrayed women.”
“The narrative quickly became ‘Well, she’s only getting paid that number because she’s playing a stripper.’ It hit me really hard.
“But at the same time, I understood that anybody who steps out first is going to take the hit. That goes for anybody challenging the status quo.”
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