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Body Language Expert Weighs in on Demi Moore’s Reaction to Her SAG Awards Win

"It’s clear Demi felt empowered"

Demi Moore
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

When Demi Moore was announced as the winner for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor at this year's SAG Awards, the audience erupted in applause and gave her a standing ovation. Fans on social media were also quick to celebrate The Substance star's well-deserved win, and her daughters marked the occasion with sweet tributes. However, it appears the 62-year-old star didn't see this victory coming.

Body language expert Darren Stanton analyzed Moore's reaction and shared his thoughts, noting that it was "a total shock" for her. On behalf of Betfair Casino, he said, "When her name was announced, Demi was incredibly surprised—she flashed a huge microexpression of shock. While she was a favorite to win, it’s clear that she didn’t expect it and she was overcome with emotion from the get-go." 

The expert and "human lie detector" also observed the actress as she took the stage and said, "Demi’s breathing was heavy and deep, which is what happens when someone is overcome by emotion, sometimes their breathing isn’t consistent with the rest of the body. They’re trying to catch their breath almost, they want to get everything out and the emotion is so overwhelming. This is exactly what was happening with Demi, which tells us she was being completely genuine and authentic."

In case you missed it, Moore delivered an emotional speech where she reflected on her career and growth as an actress. She said, “I am so, so grateful that I have continued over these so many years to be able to try, and sometimes succeed, and sometimes fail, but to be able to keep going.”

Noting her history as a member of the Screen Actors Guild, she added, "It changed my life because it gave me meaning, it gave me purpose and it gave me direction. I was a kid on my own who had no blueprint for life, and I certainly knew nothing about acting. But I watched, and I learned and I listened from all of you. You have all been my greatest teachers. And so as these young actors who are having to do it all, I just encourage you, don't lose sight of the human connection."

During the speech, Stanton took notice of Moore's hand gestures and posture, which spoke volumes about her confidence. He said, "When someone is speaking from the heart, their actions are in complete sync with what they’re saying. With Demi, she’s so passionate and everything is in synchronization. She also spoke with her hands spread right apart, which is something people do when they’re feeling super confident and empowered. The more space a person occupies, the more empowered they seem to feel. It’s clear Demi felt empowered and vindicated during her acceptance speech."

Another key observation? Moore exuded humility and gratitude—especially when she took that pause. Stanton explained, "She looked up with her eyes at various points in the speech. People tend to do this when visualizing what they’re talking about—almost as if forming a mental picture. In those moments, Demi was visually seeing the people in her mind and anticipating what she was going to say next. The pause at the end of her speech was clearly a way for her to take in the emotion, ensure she thanked everyone, and catch her breath."

Major congrats to Moore on her SAG Award win!

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