Winners, Stars, and Legends
Big Cats #1: Glimmers of personal and film history starring Demi Moore and Johnny Depp
Demi Moore is on a hot streak. In a recent New York Times article, she was described as a “comeback kid”, but she never actually went anywhere. A star is a star is a star. Some nights, they just shine brighter than others. Moore has been a star for decades, and now her phenomenal talent is finally being recognized and rewarded.
Moore’s outstanding performance as Elisabeth Sparkle in The Substance has already won her Best Actress at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards. Her inspiring acceptance speeches have garnered much attention, along with her stunning looks. She is the frontrunner to win at the upcoming SAG Awards and Academy Awards.
Earlier this week, the movie star was interviewed by Jimmy Kimmel, who asked if she was enjoying “this” (taking in all the accolades she’s been getting for playing Elisabeth Sparkle). Her response indicated that she is winning at life: “For me, the most important thing is remembering not to make it mean too much and not to make it mean too little, so I can just be in the joy.”
Amongst younger generations, Moore might forever be remembered as Elisabeth Sparkle, but I will always think of her as Molly Jenson in Ghost. I saw it at the cinema when it was released, and from the moment she appeared on screen, I was mesmerized. The film was deeply moving and a huge commercial hit.
A few years later, around the age of 13, we had the “privilege” of a VHS machine in our common room at boarding school. There were about ten films we would watch on rotation. One of them was Indecent Proposal, also starring Moore. I can’t tell you how many times we sat huddled around watching that film. I could probably still quote every line.
The first time I saw Demi Moore in real life was in May 1997. By then, I was 16 years old and staying at our family home in the South of France during the 50th Cannes Film Festival. I remember seeing Bruce Willis and Demi Moore from afar on the red carpet as they arrived at the premiere of Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element. They were the most dazzling power couple in Hollywood, and Moore was regal in rubies, diamonds, and a floor-length red cape.
My older brother’s dad, A.K., was co-hosting the closing event of the festival, the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala, founded by screen legend and close family friend, Elizabeth Taylor. Just before the event, we found out that Elizabeth was not well enough to make the trip to France, so Demi Moore stepped in to replace her as co-host at the last minute.
At the Moulin de Mougins, where the event was held, my brother and I were standing a few feet away when this photo was taken. I remember thinking how incredibly tall Geena Davis was in real life (6’0”). It was a surreal moment—along with Indecent Proposal, Thelma & Louise was another one of the films on rotation in our common room at boarding school.
There were many starry arrivals that night, including Shirley Bassey, Sean Penn, Hugh Grant, and Elizabeth Hurley, but I was rendered starstruck when “Cry-Baby” himself walked in: Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp.
I saw the teen musical Cry-Baby when I was about 12, the age when girls start finding boys interesting, and boys started finding me interesting. I was on vacation in Mexico with family friends, and while hanging out with a group of teenage boys one night, we watched Cry-Baby. An unforgettable movie moment of my youth.
Meeting Johnny Depp in real life was completely disarming as he looked exactly like he did in Cry-Baby, but in a tux. While my brother made chit-chat with Harvey Weinstein, who was gushing with gratitude about A.K.’s generous contribution to amFAR, I found myself face-to-face with Depp, who appeared to be there solo (he was still dating Kate Moss at the time).
After we shook hands, I had no idea what to say or where to look, so before I did anything embarrassing or said anything awkward like, “Where’s Kate?” I shuffled around in my evening bag for the packet of Marlboro Lights, and when I put one in my mouth, he lit it for me with a smouldering smile.
Depp will most likely be remembered as a legend to his millions of fans for playing Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but he will always be imprinted on my mind as Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker.
For anyone who hasn’t seen the 1990 cult classic, here’s a little clip to pique your interest:
I read this last night right before I fell asleep and I had the most fantastical dreams of being at a fabulous party with my 90’s crush Eddie Vedder, who was very smitten with me. It was my favorite dream yet!
I request a new story like this every night please. (I would loved to read the unabridged version, too.)
Hard not to be tongue tied when you’re 16 and meet someone you’ve admired in a film. Especially someone with huge charisma. The cigarette was a good move. I can’t help wondering what happened next!