Demi Moore looked like she had it all but she lurched from one drama to another
CREDIT to Demi Moore for being so honest in her autobiography and hanging out her dirty laundry for all the world to see.
One of the many revelations was about her knickers being exposed on social media in a photo taken by her then husband Ashton Kutcher, who is said to be not best pleased about how he is portrayed in the book, Inside Out.
I’m not sure Demi fully realised the impact of her “warts-and-all” memoirs, including claims that Kutcher — her much younger third husband — cheated on her and instigated “threesomes”.
He’s moved on, now has a family with wife Mila Kunis and knows that one day his two kids will read all about his behaviour during his marriage to Demi and find it highly embarrassing.
She saw the actor, 15 years her junior, as a way to press the restart button and relive her youth all over again, but this time with a chance of
happiness. It wasn’t to be.
I first noticed Demi in 1990, when she appeared in the movie Ghost, as fresh-faced, husky-voiced Molly, mourning the death of her husband Sam, played by Patrick Swayze.
She looked adorable, with elfin cropped hair, little make-up and denim dungarees.
Everyone wanted to look like this particularly gorgeous “girl next door” and that role catapulted her on to Hollywood’s A-list.
Demi made a string of successful but rather questionable movies including Indecent Proposal, Striptease and GI Jane and demanded such high fees she was dubbed “Gimme Moore”, the sort of snarky comment that would never be made about a male actor.
'DEEPLY UNHAPPY'
Her marriage to Bruce Willis made them the Brad and Angelina of their day, but just like that relationship, theirs too ended in tears and failure.
Demi and Bruce went on to declare a truce and he was even at the launch of her new book in a show of support — although you do have to wonder if he had actually read what his ex had written about him.
She claims that at the height of her fame he wanted her out of Hollywood so she could be a stay-at-home mum for their children.
What strikes me about Demi’s story — from her being raped as a vulnerable 15 year old, to her complete mental breakdown after her marriage to Kutcher fell apart — was what a deeply unhappy life she has led.
I honestly don’t know how any young girl would recover from being raped by a disgusting pervert who she claims “bought her” for a few hundred dollars from her alcoholic mother.
How on Earth are you supposed to deal with such a horrific betrayal from the one person who is supposed to love and protect you from harm?
It is very sad that Demi said she always felt that she was to blame for the appalling ordeal inflicted upon her by her mother and a man old enough to be her father.
I think deep down she’s still that frightened, betrayed little girl who never thinks she is quite good enough.
Demi writes movingly about being desperate to have a child with Kutcher.
Shortly after their marriage she became pregnant, but tragically the baby died when she was six months pregnant.
Again she blamed herself for the loss, and started drinking heavily.
The relationship never really recovered. Years later ,just before the couple split, I interviewed Kutcher and it wasn’t a happy experience for all concerned.
He wasn’t unpleasant, just deeply uncomfortable and clearly didn’t want to be promoting his latest project, but it was in his contract to so do.
Everyone that day received monosyllabic replies and it was no surprise when the news broke shortly afterwards that his marriage to Demi had crumbled and that was when she started to really unravel.
'ANXIETY & INSECURITIES'
Even though on the outside Demi appeared to have everything — fame, enormous wealth, three healthy children and a handsome actor on her arm — inside she was a mass of anxiety and insecurities as she lurched from one crisis to the next.
She came close to death a year after the split while partying with her oldest daughter Rumer. Demi suffered a seizure after taking drugs and inhaling nitrous oxide.
That was a wake-up call for her to seek help and get her act together. Writing the book is apparently all part of the healing process.
It won’t have been an easy read for her three grown-up daughters who, unsurprisingly, have apparently had their own issues with either substance abuse or insecurity about their bodies.
I honestly do wonder if anyone in Hollywood, especially those who find fame because of their good looks and winning smiles, are living happy, contented and fulfilled lives.
It doesn’t look like it, and it’s deeply sad that a seemingly confident, extremely beautiful woman such as Demi should have felt so worthless.
All credit to her for coming back from the brink and having the guts to tell her story in her own words.
But there is always collateral damage when you decide to be so honest, and I hope she is strong enough to weather the inevitable storms gathering on the horizon.
Meghan and Harry bask in the son-shine
Harry and Meghan brought out a secret weapon during their visit to South Africa and instantly blew away all the negativity and criticism they have experienced this year.
With one cute smile and a whole lot of gurgles, baby Archie has completely rehabilitated his parents and shown them in a much happier and far more positive light.
It is the first time we have properly seen the four month old and you do wonder why they haven’t shown him to the world before now.
Everybody loves a baby, and Archie is a poppet, as well as being Harry’s absolute double.
He has a sunny disposition and is obviously adored by his besotted mum and dad. The wee chap looked delighted to be on his first proper outing as a member of the royal firm.
And Meghan is in her element. She appeared happy, relaxed and has managed to get her “look” just right.
There were no designer frocks nor ostentatious jewellery. Instead it was all sustainable dresses, High Street shoes and lots of recycled outfits.
Harry and Meghan have both shone a light on some hugely deserving causes and charities close to their hearts.
FROM THE HEART
They work well together, as well as being effective on their own, and it’s refreshing to hear them speak to the media like normal people, instead of the usual dry, formal speeches.
It is in places such as Africa that they can both do such a lot of good and build on the pioneering charity work carried out by Harry’s late mum Princess Diana.
Meghan telling young South African girls she is a woman of colour who feels like their sister means they can truly relate to her. The words were inspired and from the heart.
There are rumours that in the future Harry, Meghan and Archie would spend half the year in southern Africa, and I reckon it’s a good idea.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit this incredible part all of the world and it grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go.
Like Harry, I share a particular love of beautiful Botswana, and would be delighted for them if they were lucky enough to set up a home from home there.
They would be under much less pressure and scrutiny than here in the UK and able to lead almost normal lives should they so wish.
Meanwhile Harry, Meghan – and especially Archie – continue with the charm offensive, breaking down barriers and becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Diana would be very proud.
Climate protests
TO all the kids bunking off school for climate change protests, might I also ask you to walk to school instead of being driven by your parents in gas-guzzling 4x4s.
Recycle your clothes instead of having wardrobes stuffed with cheap fashion.
Stop buying plastic-wrapped fast food and maybe think about turning the bloody lights off when you leave a room.
Just a thought . . .
Gagging giggles is daft
I HONESTLY think we are in imminent danger of completely losing our sense of humour and turning into a nation of po-faced bores.
I couldn’t believe the reaction I got when I cheekily asked smouldering actor Jason Isaacs if he was wearing shorts in an upcoming charity run for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and that I would happily run behind him for the view.
MOST READ IN OPINION
It was a cheeky remark made to a delightfully naughty man, who I have interviewed many times.
I knew he wouldn’t be offended in the least but would laugh heartily, which is exactly what happened. I also thought it was a fun way to promote a terrific cause.
I was astonished to be labelled “sexist” and “inappropriate”, which is completely OTT for such innocuous remarks.
People really need to get things into perspective.
Decade of Dan
BIG congrats to my pal and Sun executive editor Dan Wootton, who this week celebrated ten years as a much valued entertainment expert on my morning TV show.
Dan has brought us some of the top names in TV, movies and music, covered all the big award ceremonies and always delivers the most entertaining gossip.
Here’s to the next decade of scoops, scandals and showbiz shenanigans.
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