"It Bugs The S*** Out Of Me": Demi Moore Talked About Her "The Substance" Nude Scene

    "I didn’t ask for any adjustments because I knew it was in service of something that was more important than me."

    Larry Fitzmaurice
    by Larry Fitzmaurice

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Love it or hate it, The Substance has become one of the most talked-about films of the year.

    Demi Moore with long hair and earrings, wearing a dark top, looking into a bathroom mirror with a serious expression
    Mubi / Courtesy Everett Collection

    The body horror comedy (it is funny, after all) has been all the talk of social media since it was released this fall — and Demi Moore's performance as Elisabeth Sparkle has garnered some serious awards buzz, too.

    Demi Moore seated, wearing a tailored jacket over a ruffled shirt, looking focused. Elegant lamp with unique design in the background
    MUBI / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And for good reason: Demi's performance in the film is extreme. She pushes it to the limit, and that includes a nude scene that takes place in the film's first third.

    Demi Moore with long dark hair looks intently into a mirror, wearing a bold outfit with structured shoulders and hoop earrings
    MUBI / Courtesy Everett Collection

    In a recent interview with Elle, Demi got real about how the nude scene was filmed, including the low-angle shot of her backside that is included in the sequence itself.

    Demi Moore posing on a red carpet in a black lace blouse and a tailored blazer, smiling with long, wavy hair
    Unique Nicole / Getty Images

    “It’s like, ugh. It bugs the shit out of me," she commented, before specifying that she didn't ask for any adjustments to the shot because "I knew it was in service of something that was more important than me."

    Demi Moore with long hair looks upward with a concerned expression indoors, in front of a window with bars
    MUBI / Courtesy Everett Collection

    "It felt like any hardship, any exposure of my own insecurities, would be worth it if I was part of bringing forward the conversation.”

    Demi Moore lying on a bed with a thoughtful expression. Dark hair, one shoulder exposed by an off-the-shoulder top. Velvet pillows in the background
    MUBI / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Demi also elaborated on her reasons for pursuing the role to the limit that she did — and why the vulnerabilities of doing so were more freeing in the process as well.

    Demi Moore with long black hair and diamond earrings, wearing a patterned suit jacket
    Karwai Tang / WireImage

    “There was an incredibly liberating aspect to stepping into this really vulnerable, exposed place emotionally and physically," she explained.

    Person with long dark hair looking at themselves in a bathroom mirror, wearing a serious expression
    MUBI / Courtesy Everett Collection

    "The film gave me the opportunity to look at where my ego was kind of running the show, where I was giving up my power, and it pushed me to find a little bit more gentility and acceptance of myself as I am.”

    Person posing at a media event, wearing a floral-patterned outfit under a dark blazer, with logos in the background
    Marc Piasecki / WireImage

    Demi has obviously had an incredible career thus far — so if you've got a favorite performance of hers that you feel hasn't gotten enough love, make yourself heard in the comments!