Rumer Willis Honors Demi Moore’s Legacy in Striptease
A Timeless Tribute
Rumer Willis is revisiting a significant moment in cinematic history nearly three decades after its original release. By donning the iconic gold sequined bikini that her mother, Demi Moore, wore in the 1996 film Striptease, Willis is reclaiming the narrative surrounding the film and its impact on women in the industry.
A Family Connection
Willis, who played the role of Angela Grant alongside her mother in Striptease when she was just seven years old, has now become a mother herself. In a touching homage to her own childhood and her mother’s legacy, she posed in the well-known bikini while holding her two-year-old daughter, Louetta Isley Thomas Willis, on her hip. This moment captures not only a personal family bond but also a reflection on the passage of time.
The Cultural Impact of Striptease
Demi Moore has openly discussed her experiences while starring in Striptease, recalling the intense backlash she faced for portraying Erin Grant, a single mother and former FBI secretary turned stripper in a fight for custody. She reflected on how the role made her a target for criticism. “With Striptease, it was as if I had betrayed women, and with G.I. Jane, it was as if I had betrayed men,” Moore shared during an interview on The New York Times podcast, “The Interview.”
Challenging Gender Norms
Moore has elaborated on how her groundbreaking role came with a double-edged sword. Despite becoming the highest-paid actress at that time with a salary of $12.5 million, she felt that her earnings were scrutinized and minimized due to the role she chose. “The narrative quickly became, ‘Well, she’s only getting paid that number because she’s playing a stripper,’” she explained in a conversation with Variety. “It hit me really hard. But at the same time, I understood that anybody who steps out first is going to take the hit.”
Legacy and Empowerment
Moore’s performance in Striptease has often been viewed as a significant cultural moment, not just for her individual career, but also in advancing the conversation around women’s representation and pay equity in Hollywood. “It was powerful for me because it wasn’t just about me; it was about changing the playing field for all women,” she remarked in her interview with Variety.
