The Demi Moore-naissance! Star known for being 'Mrs Bruce Willis' after her career floundered in the '90s enjoys her second coming as new film gets 13-minute standing ovation at Cannes - and she looks better than ever at 61

Demi Moore has made her comeback at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 in her first appearance on the red carpet since 1997.

The American Ghost actress, 61, who was one of the go-to film stars in the 1990s, is making her unexpected return in slasher-horror 'The Substance', competing for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or.

She's commanded attention at the star-studded event so far with her glamorous ensembles, opting for an extravagant silk gown, a strapless dress and a blue bejewelled frock. 

Her thriller from French director Coralie Fargeat has equally impressed; following its debut, it received a 13-minute ovation, the longest for a film so far at this year’s festival, according to Deadline.

It comes after the A Few Good Men star wowed at the Met Gala this spring, with fans declaring 'We are in the Demi Moore renaissance,' as they praised her floral statement outfit.

Demi Moore (pictured) has made her comeback at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 in her first appearance on the red carpet since 1997

Here, FEMAIL explores the successful return of Demi to the acting and fashion spotlight... 

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 

It has been 27 years since Moore came anywhere near a Cannes red carpet, having appeared mostly in small TV roles and forgettable films since the early 2000s.

In her heyday, Moore was a global star after romance 'Ghost', co-starring the late Patrick Swayze as a murdered businessman who watches over his grieving ceramicist girlfriend from beyond the grave and famously helps her mould clay in a steamy supernatural scene.

Her androgynous look in that film - from the dungarees to the short hairstyle - helped define 1990s style, while she had other era-defining hits with steamy dramas 'Indecent Proposal' and 'Disclosure'.

An Annie Leibovitz photoshoot - showing off her pregnant belly on the cover of Vanity Fair in 1991 - was an impressive and stunning move at the time, which has since seemingly inspired A-listers like Rihanna.

She proved her acting chops in meatier 1990s films such as blockbuster courtroom drama 'A Few Good Men' opposite Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.

The American Ghost actress, 61, has so far commanded attention at the star-studded event with her glamorous ensembles, opting for an extravagant silk gown, a strapless dress and a blue bejewelled frock

Most recently, Moore stunned in an extravagant metallic cream gown, while she's also sported a red beaded Armani Prive gown for the 77th annual festival

But since the turn of the century, Moore was in the headlines more for her tumultuous love life than her acting.

She formed two Hollywood power couples, first in the 1980s with 'Die Hard' star Bruce Willis, father of her three daughters, and then with Ashton Kutcher, the latter union ending acrimoniously in 2013.

But Moore seems to be enjoying something of a comeback as a fashion darling following her radiant appearances at Cannes.

Most recently, Moore stunned in an extravagant metallic cream gown, while she's also sported a red beaded Armani Prive gown for the 77th annual festival.

MET GALA 2024

Demi Moore, 61, made a bold statement as she wowed in a sculpted and dramatic ensemble while attending the 2024 MET Gala in New York City

The star donned a black, sculpted dress designed by Harris Reed that clung to her figure and also contained pink peony details that were embroidered onto the velvet material

She's only attended the Met Gala on four occasions - but after a five-year hiatus, Moore returned to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in an attention-grabbing display.

The Ghost star made a bold statement as she wowed in a sculpted and dramatic black dress designed by Harris Reed that clung to her figure and also contained pink peony details that were embroidered onto the velvet material.

A butterfly-winged piece that was connected to her arms and swooped behind her back had similar floral details as well as thorn-like spikes. 

A slit could be seen on the back portion of the ensemble, easily revealing that the beauty was donning a pair of open-toed, black heels that were secured with a thin strap that wrapped around her ankles.

Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, Moore turned heads in sparkling Cartier jewellery from its upcoming High Jewellery collection called, Nature Sauvage.

She wore a large, diamond Choris necklace that contained emerald pieces and opted for a pair of matching earrings. 

For a finishing touch, the glamorous Indecent Proposal actress added a few silver rings on her left hand. 

Moore's inclusion at the star-studded event in May resulted in some fans taking to X, formerly Twitter, to declare: 'We are in the Demi Moore renaissance,' and praise the actress' return to the prestigious occasion.

Moore has made appearances at the Met Gala back in 2001, 2010, 2011 and also 2019.

CAREER COMEBACK 

Following the relative flops of films such as 'Striptease' (pictured) in 1996 and 'G.I. Jane' in 1997, Moore's blockbuster roles soon grew fewer and further between

But she has enjoyed a career comeback in recent years - with The Telegraph reporting the star could be eyeing up an Emmy nomination for her role in 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' (pictured)

Following the relative failures of films such as 'Striptease' in 1996 - which was awarded the title of worst movie of the year when released - and 'G.I. Jane' in 1997, Moore's blockbuster roles soon grew fewer and further between.

But she has enjoyed a career comeback in recent years - with The Telegraph reporting the star could be eyeing up an Emmy nomination for her role in 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans'.

Streaming on Disney+, Ryan Murphy's series saw Moore play Ann Woodward, a former showgirl and New York radio actress who was infamously accused of murdering her husband in 1955. 

Meanwhile, critics have been positive on Moore's performance in the horror film 'The Substance', with entertainment website Variety calling it 'nothing short of fearless' and The Hollywood Reporter praising how she 'imbues her character with a visceral desperation.'

Moore said the vulnerability required for her role in the horror, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, was both demanding and exciting.

The actress stars as Elisabeth, an ageing TV fitness instructor who signs up for a mysterious medical regime called The Substance that promises to create the perfect version of herself - played by Margaret Qualley of 'Drive-Away Dolls.'

The role requires Moore to be completely naked as well as transform into a deteriorating old woman through prosthetics.

'All of it at different times had moments that were challenging,' she told Reuters in an interview.

'The level of vulnerability that this role called for on all the different levels - emotionally, physically - were as demanding as it was exciting because it was really pushing me to step out of my comfort zone,' said Moore.

SUPPORTING EX BRUCE WILLIS

Moore has formed two Hollywood power couples, first in the 1980s with 'Die Hard' star Bruce Willis (pictured)

In a world full of fractured relationships and bitter divorces, Bruce Willis' blended family bliss is somewhat of an enigma (Pictured are the blended family in March 2023)

Since the Die Hard star's devastating dementia diagnosis, his adoring family have rallied around him - he has five daughters (Pictured in April 2020)

In a world full of fractured relationships and bitter divorces, Bruce Willis and Moore's blended family bliss is somewhat of an enigma.

Since the Die Hard star's devastating dementia diagnosis, his adoring family have rallied around him.

Bruce, 69, married actress Moore in 1987 but the pair separated in 2000. As Demi found love with younger actor Ashton Kutcher, 46, (who she split from 2011), Bruce later fell for English model and actress Emma Heming, who is almost 25 years his junior.

But Bruce, Demi and Emma were determined to remain friends for the sake of their children - Bruce and Demi have three daughters together and he and Emma have two - and the couples became close.

'We've become like a tribe,' Bruce said of their blended family while speaking with W Magazine in 2009, after Ashton and Demi attended his Turks and Caicos wedding to Emma.     

Emma said that she met Demi and Ashton early on in her relationship to Bruce, saying she was 'really blessed because from day one it's been comfortable and fun.' 

Bruce has previously noted that people are often baffled by his friendship with Demi - with whom he shares children Rumer, 35, Scout, 32 and Tallulah, 30. 

'It's generated a lot of interest because everyone can understand resentment and envy in the breakup of a marriage, but they don't understand how I can get along with my ex like that,' he said.

'Demi and I made a choice to put the kids first, and we're really lucky that it turns out we all have fun together.' 

Demi and Ashton ended up splitting in 2011, and they finalised their divorce two years later. 

Meanwhile, Bruce and Emma went on to welcome their daughter Mabel in 2012. Two years later, they had Evelyn. 

Now, 15 years after Bruce and Emma tied the knot, Demi said she considered Bruce's wife and their two kids part of her own 'family,' as she gave an inside look into their unique - but strong - bond.

'We are FAMILY,' she wrote in an Instagram caption under a picture which showed them all enjoying a meal together, posing as a group, and playing with Demi's dog Pilaf. 'Getting into the holiday spirit.' 

In February 2023, Bruce's family revealed the actor had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - less than one year after he retired from acting due to his battle with brain disorder, aphasia.