Rumer Willis, the daughter of well-known actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, began her acting journey at just seven years old, appearing alongside her mother in the film “Now and Then.” Rumer described this experience as magical, expressing her desire to connect with the older girls on set, as shared in a 2019 interview with HuffPost.
Despite her early success, Rumer has faced challenges growing up in the limelight. She opened up about the difficulties of self-worth tied to external opinions in a conversation with Civilian, admitting that there are many tragic aspects to her story that remain unknown.
Struggles with Body Image
From a young age, Rumer dealt with harsh criticism regarding her appearance, often subjected to bullying from popular media figures like Perez Hilton. In a heartfelt interview with HuffPost, she recounted receiving hurtful comments about her face and body during her teenage years. She reflected on how these experiences affected her self-esteem at a crucial age.
Despite going on to win “Dancing with the Stars” in 2015, the negative remarks continued. Rumer revealed in an open letter to Glamour that the online harassment persisted even amid her public success, necessitating her to block numerous bullies daily on social media.
Mental Health Challenges
The impact of years of bullying on Rumer’s mental health became evident when she discussed her battle with anxiety in February 2021 via Instagram. She described feeling overwhelming sensations of nausea and a racing heart, suggesting that at times, her anxiety felt outside of her control, as reported by Yahoo!Life.
Fortunately, Rumer discovered effective strategies to counteract her anxiety, such as wearing her favorite dress and dancing to uplifting music, sharing her gratitude for the support she received from her followers shortly after an episode of anxiety.
Struggles with Alcohol
Rumer has been candid about her encounters with alcohol and her journey toward sobriety. In July 2017, she shared her pride in celebrating six months of sobriety on Instagram, expressing how significant this milestone was for her, according to People.
Yet, she later revealed that her choice to become sober stemmed from a desire to engage in “sober January,” and through this month of abstaining, she realized the positive effects it had on her life.
Rumer Willis Opens Up About Her Family’s Challenges
Rumer Willis Reflects on Her Journey with Alcohol
Rumer Willis shared her experiences with alcohol, revealing that her struggles began after her mother, Demi Moore, faced a relapse. This troubled period led Rumer to feel anxious about her drinking habits. She recalled, “When I stopped talking to my mom, it escalated.” During her time of distress, Rumer suffered from panic attacks related to hangovers, even prompting a friend to call emergency services once. Fortunately, she has been sober for seven years now!
The Complicated Mother-Daughter Relationship
Rumer has been open about the challenges in her relationship with Demi Moore, particularly the impact of her mother’s addiction on her emotions. In a heartfelt discussion on Red Table Talk, Rumer expressed her feelings of anger and confusion stemming from Demi’s struggles. She vividly remembers the difficult night in 2012 when Demi relapsed, recalling how she had to take her mother to rehab. This event created a significant rift between them for several years.
However, their relationship has since improved greatly. Rumer recently expressed her love for Demi by posting a warm Mother’s Day tribute on Instagram, showing that they have reconciled and grown closer.
Bruce Willis’ Health Update
In March 2022, Rumer Willis and her family announced that her father, Bruce Willis, had been diagnosed with aphasia, a condition affecting cognitive abilities. This news led Bruce to step back from his acting career. The family has been incredibly grateful for the support from fans during this difficult time.
In February 2023, the family provided further updates, stating that Bruce’s condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Rumer emphasized that communication challenges are just one aspect of the difficulties they face. However, during a May 2024 appearance on the “Today” show, Rumer shared positive news: her father is currently enjoying his role as a grandfather to her daughter, Louetta. They had a heartwarming moment together, marking a joyful point in the family’s journey.