As awards season continues on and your favorite celebrities are subject to major accolades and honors, it’s impossible for your mind to not wander back to some of the most memorable acceptance speeches through the years. Stars like Demi Moore and Selena Gomez have moved audiences and fans with their inspiring words that only confirm their status as our favorite celebrities. Give these tear-jerking and encouraging speeches another listen as you gear up for upcoming Grammys, Critics’ Choice Awards and Oscars.
Demi Moore wins her first major acting award at the 2025 Golden Globes
Demi Moore, who’s been in the entertainment industry since the early 1980s, recently won her first major award for acting at the 2025 Golden Globes. The actress took home the prize in the category of female actress in a motion picture, but not before giving a truly moving and tear-jerking acceptance speech.
“Thirty years ago, I had a producer tell me that I was a popcorn actress, and at that time, I made that mean that this is not something I was allowed to have,” Moore began. “That I could do movies that were successful and made a lot of money but that I couldn’t be acknowledged, and I bought in. I believed that.”
Moore’s time on the stage was thanks to her portrayal of Elisabeth Sparkle in The Substance (2024), alongside Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid.
Selena Gomez on body positivity and loving yourself at the 2016 AMAs
Musician and actress Selena Gomez moved audiences and fans after winning an American Music Award for Favorite Female Artist in Pop and Rock Music at the 2016 awards. After taking a break from her career in 2016 due to mental health struggles, she came back stronger than ever with her speech.
“I had to stop [her career] because I had everything, and I was absolutely broken inside,” Gomez began her speech. “And I kept it all together enough to where I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down…If you are broken, you do not have to stay broken.”
Gomez concluded her speech by thanking her fans and the people who love her, explaining that the award was for all of them.
Taylor Swift’s empowering message to young women at the 2016 Grammy Awards
At the 2016 Grammy Awards, Taylor Swift became the first woman to win Album of the Year twice, and she shared an uplifting speech directed towards other young women.
“To all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success, or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame… someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there and that will be the greatest feeling in the world.”
America Ferrera’s powerful words on representation at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards
You may remember the legendary speech performed by America Ferrera in 2023’s Barbie, but her speech at the 29th Critics Choice Awards deserves to be remembered, too. The actress took to the stage after winning the SeeHer award in 2024.
“It seemed impossible that anyone could make a career of portraying fully dimensional Latina characters,” Ferrera said. “But because of writers, producers and directors… I and some of my fellow Latina colleagues have been supremely blessed to have brought to life some fierce and fantastic women.”
Jelly Roll motivational speech at the 2023 CMA Awards
At the 2023 Country Music Awards, Jelly Roll offered some heartening words for anyone who feels they want to give up. The singer told fans and those watching to keep going in his truly memorable speech.
Jelly Roll closed things out by saying, “There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year. I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I wanna tell you to keep going… I wanna tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason. Because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you.”
Miley Cyrus pays tribute to Hannah Montana at the 2024 Disney Legends Ceremony
If you grew up watching Disney Channel or did so alongside your kids, then you know very well that Miley Cyrus is a true Disney Legend—which is why the musician and actress was honored at the 2024 Disney Legends Ceremony, where she gave an amazing speech.
“I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana…In so many ways, this award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing loyal fans, and to everyone who has made my dream a reality. To quote the legend herself, ‘This is the life.’”
