The ‘Ghost’ co-stars reunited after 35 years and excited fans have all commented on how they’ve both aged ‘like fine wine’
This year’s Oscars seemed like one huge throwback, with fans finally seeing former Ghost co-stars Whoopi Goldberg and Demi Moore reuniting.
35 Years Later: Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg Reunite at the Oscars—But Was There Tension?
It’s been 35 years since Ghost captivated audiences, making Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg one of the most iconic on-screen duos in cinematic history. So when the pair reunited on the red carpet at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, fans of the two-time Oscar-winning film were thrilled—sparking fresh excitement (and speculation) about a possible sequel.
However, while their embrace was a nostalgic moment, a professional lip reader has weighed in on their exchange, claiming that when Moore asked for a photo, Goldberg delivered a sharp, three-word response.
What exactly was said between the Hollywood legends? And could their reunion mean something more for Ghost fans? The mystery continues…
Oscar Reunions: Moore and Goldberg’s Red Carpet Exchange Sparks Curiosity
It all began when Oscar-nominee Demi Moore was walking along the red carpet at the 97th Academy Awards, her eyes catching her former co-star, one-time Academy Award-winner Whoopi Goldberg, chatting with the press. Moore paused in her tracks, called out to Goldberg, and greeted her with a cheerful, “How are you?”
This part of their exchange was clear to all, but what happened next left some intrigued. Enter professional lip reader NJ Hickling, who broke down the rest of their conversation for The Mirror US.
According to Hickling’s interpretation, Goldberg, responding to Moore, simply said, “I’m fine.” Moore then asked again, “How are you?”
The two seemed to share a friendly exchange before Moore, with a suggestion of excitement, seemingly said, “Let’s get a photo.”
Was this the moment of a potential Ghost sequel? Or simply a touching reunion? Only time will tell.
The red carpet moment took an interesting turn when Goldberg responded to Moore’s suggestion with a blunt, “Together, I’d like to.” Moore, perhaps hoping for a perfect shot, replied, “Let’s stand back.”
However, Goldberg, ever the straight shooter, delivered a sharp three-word retort: “I don’t pose.”
Unfazed, Moore, ever the professional, gave Goldberg a gentle rub on the shoulders and simply said, “That’s okay.” Their effortless chemistry was palpable, showing the camaraderie of old friends, even if it didn’t result in the photo op Moore had envisioned.
Fans couldn’t contain their excitement on Twitter after witnessing the long-awaited reunion of Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, with many commenting on how the two have barely aged in 35 years.
“Whoopi looked so wonderful, and even Demi did too, glad for them to reunite,” one fan posted.
Another wrote: “Both have barely aged. I also wonder how any Gen Z folks know what this movie is/was.” A third chimed in, “Cultural moment right here.”
One fan went so far as to say: “Aging like fine wine.”
Their reunion was undeniably heartwarming, and many couldn’t get enough of the duo’s chemistry. “Love it! A genuine and heartwarming moment!” said one admirer, while another added, “The reunion I needed to see. I love Ghost and I believe that Oscar is Demi’s.”
There was even a fan calling for a sequel: “One of my favorite movies, we need a sequel.”
But unfortunately for Moore, the evening didn’t go according to plan. Despite being the bookmaker’s favorite to win Best Actress for her role in The Substance—her first-ever nomination—she lost to Anora’s 25-year-old lead, Mikey Madison.
The night was filled with ups and downs, as some even reflected on the greatest Oscar snubs in history, like when Citizen Kane lost to How Green Was My Valley in 1942.
Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, dominated the BFI’s Sight & Sound poll of the best films for a staggering 40 years. Yet, in a surprising twist of fate, it failed to win the coveted Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards.
Instead, the award went to How Green Was My Valley, a film that, while beloved in its time, has not left the same lasting impact as Citizen Kane. To make matters worse, Welles had a public falling out with the Academy before the ceremony, and every mention of his name was met with boos from the audience.
Despite being nominated for nine Academy Awards, Citizen Kane only took home the statuette for Best Original Screenplay, a bittersweet victory for a film that many consider a cinematic masterpiece.
Another iconic Oscar upset occurred in 1983, when E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, one of the most beloved films in history, lost the Best Picture Oscar to Gandhi. The snub left many scratching their heads, as E.T. had captivated audiences worldwide, while Gandhi, though an excellent film, did not achieve the same cultural significance.
Even Richard Attenborough, who took home the Best Picture Oscar for his biographical drama Gandhi, believed that Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial should have won. In Joseph McBride’s Steven Spielberg: A Biography, Attenborough is quoted saying of the moment his win was announced, “I didn’t go to the podium, I went over to Spielberg. He got up, I put my arms round him, and I said, ‘This isn’t right, this should be yours.’”
Spielberg’s heartwarming tale of a lonely boy forming a bond with a seemingly terrifying alien went on to become one of the most beloved films in cinematic history, dominating the box office upon its 1982 release. Despite its success and emotional impact, it lost the top Oscar to Gandhi, a win that many still feel was a major oversight.
Fast forward to 1995, and another upset occurred when The Shawshank Redemption was passed over for Forrest Gump. While Forrest Gump went on to become a cultural phenomenon, Shawshank—now considered one of the greatest films ever made—lost out on the top honor despite critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. Many argue that this was one of the most significant snubs in Oscar history, with Shawshank still finding new generations of admirers every year.
While both Forrest Gump and The Shawshank Redemption are widely adored, The Shawshank Redemption still holds the top spot on IMDb’s list of the 250 highest-rated films and is regularly hailed as one of the greatest movies ever made. Its lasting popularity is a testament to its emotional depth and storytelling, even though it went home empty-handed at the Oscars, failing to win any of the seven awards it was nominated for. In retrospect, the film’s lack of recognition feels odd, especially considering its now-iconic status. However, the film was a box office bomb upon its release, overshadowed by the massive cultural impact of Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction.
One fan expressed their shock on Reddit, admitting they were “blown away” to discover that the film didn’t win a single Academy Award, pointing out the curious nature of its overlooked legacy.
Another unforgettable Oscars snub occurred in 1999 when Saving Private Ryan, widely regarded as one of Steven Spielberg’s finest achievements, lost Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love. While Shakespeare in Love was well-loved and charming, Saving Private Ryan was a massive critical success, capturing the harrowing reality of World War II and earning Spielberg a well-deserved Oscar for Best Director. The decision to award Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love remains one of the most controversial in Oscars history, leaving many to wonder how such a stunning war film was overlooked in favor of a romantic comedy-drama.
In another shocking upset for Steven Spielberg, his powerful World War II epic Saving Private Ryan was snubbed for Best Picture at the 1999 Oscars in favor of Shakespeare in Love, a charming rom-com. This decision has been widely discussed in the years since, with many speculating that it was influenced by Harvey Weinstein’s aggressive campaigning. According to Den of Geek, Weinstein allegedly orchestrated a “whisper campaign” claiming that Saving Private Ryan was only good for its first 20 minutes, calling the rest of the film “sentimental hokum.” Despite the backlash, DreamWorks marketer Terry Press recalls Spielberg’s dignified response when urged to fight back, with Spielberg telling him, “I do not want to get down in the mud with Harvey.”
Another infamous Oscar snub occurred in 2006 when Brokeback Mountain, a powerful, critically acclaimed drama about a forbidden romance, lost the coveted Best Picture award to the ensemble drama Crash. The loss was met with widespread dismay, as Brokeback Mountain was expected to take home the prize due to its immense cultural significance and critical success. However, Crash took home the trophy, in what many have since referred to as one of the most controversial and inexplicable outcomes in Oscar history. The decision raised eyebrows, as Crash had divided critics, and its win sparked heated debates about race, identity, and the Academy’s choice.
The following year brought another shocking upset at the Oscars, this time with Crash taking home Best Picture over the beloved Brokeback Mountain. Many considered this decision one of the most egregious in Oscar history, with one Reddit user calling it “truly the greatest robbery of all time.”
In a 2024 interview with Deadline, director Ang Lee, who won Best Director for Brokeback Mountain, expressed his belief that the film’s support had “a ceiling” within the Academy at that time. He even recalled being told to stay in the wings between his win and the Best Picture announcement, with a stage manager reassuring him, “Everybody assumes you will win.” Despite his personal victory, the loss of Best Picture still stings for many fans and critics alike, with one cinephile calling the win by Crash “absolutely criminal.”
The controversy surrounding this moment continues to resonate deeply within the film community, as Brokeback Mountain remains a cultural touchstone, while Crash’s win remains highly debated, with many questioning the decision.
