Former collegiate swimmer and conservative political activist Riley Gaines went viral after she reacted to actress-producer Demi Moore’s look at the ongoing 79th Cannes Film Festival. On Tuesday, the X page of the New York Post shared two images of the Indecent Proposal star and wrote in the caption:
“Demi Moore’s toned arms take center stage on Cannes Film Festival 2026 red carpet.”
While the veteran actress appeared to show off her ageing beauty, Riley Gaines disagreed with the NY Post caption and responded with her own remarks:
“Toned? No. This is skin and bones.”
Many appeared to agree with Gaines. For instance, X user @ddsnorth wrote in the comment section:
“From GI Jane to Karen Carpenter.”
For those unaware, the former refers to Demi Moore’s titular role from the 1997 action/drama film G.I. Jane, directed by Ridley Scott. In it, Moore’s character is that of the first woman to undergo special operations training, much like the U.S. Navy Seals.
Meanwhile, Karen Carpenter is a late singer-drummer, best known as one half of the pop duo The Carpenters with his brother Richard. For eight years, she battled with symptoms of anorexia nervosa due to the pressures of complicated family dynamics and fame and became infamous for her severely lean physique. She died in 1983 at the age of 32. The death sparked research into celebrity eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
Several others agreed with Riley Gaines.
“Don’t get me wrong, you are 100% correct, but she does look good for her age. #DefinitelyNoTone though,” a fan wrote.
“Hollywood really normalized looking physically exhausting as ‘body goals’,” another person wrote.
“Jesus, she looks sickly,” an individual wrote.
Then there were others with Karen Carpenter comments.
“AYFKM, this woman needs help. Remember Karen Carpenter,” one follower wrote.
“That is skeletal, not toned. Karen Carpenter comes to mind,” a fan remarked.
Meanwhile, some people slammed Riley Gaines and noted Demi Moore looked fine for her age.
“62 years old on a Cannes red carpet. Whatever your opinion, that’s not nothing,” a netizen wrote.
“My Aunt aged the same way, muscle loss and grew thin. Everyone is different. It is best not to make accusations; we all have our battles,” another opined.
Demi Moore, 63, hasn’t addressed the diverse comments regarding her look.
More about Demi Moore’s Cannes look
On Tuesday, Demi Moore uploaded a reel of her Cannes red carpet look on Instagram. She was seen in a custom-made, off-shoulder, sequin, silver Moore Jacquemus gown. She accessorized it with a pair of floral earrings and a diamond Chopard neckpiece.
“Moore Jacquemus for the Opening Ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival,” the joint post with stylist Brad Goreski was captioned.
Moore’s hair and make-up were done by Dimitri’s and Raoul Alejandre. Clarke Johnson assisted with everything.
Jacquemus commented underneath her post:
“I AM SO SO HAPPY!!! Simon.”
While several fans gushed about her look, actress Rita Wilson wrote:
“Maybe one of my most favorites dresses on you.”
According to Page Six, Demi Moore is on this year’s Cannes jury. When she attended Tuesday morning’s photocall, the Ghost actress was seen in a polka-dot dress from the same designer. She paired her look with white pumps, cream shades, and a matching bag.
This is not the first time in 2026 that Moore has come under scrutiny for her look. In March, her strapless gown at the SAG Actor Awards raised eyebrows, which is why she covered her upper body for her subsequent Oscar look, in an effort to “avoid more scrutiny.” She was seen in a black and green Gucci dress with feathers hiding her clavicle and putting the focus on her face.
Last year, when Demi Moore won the Best Actress at the Golden Globes, she spoke about loving oneself:
“In those moments when we don’t think we’re smart enough or pretty enough or skinny enough or successful enough, or basically just not enough, I had a woman say to me, ‘Just know you will never be enough, but you can know the value of your worth if you just put down a measuring stick.’”
The Substance star added:
“And so today, I celebrate this as a marker of my wholeness and of the love that is driving me, and for the gift of doing something I love and being reminded that I do belong.”
Before Cannes, Moore celebrated Mother’s Day with a post sharing many throwback images with her three daughters, Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah. She shares them with her ex-husband and Hollywood icon Bruce Willis.
Meanwhile, Riley Gaines is a TPUSA contributor, best-selling author, and the host of The Riley Gaines daytime talk show on Fox News.
Edited by Pallavi K