Rita Wilson Credits Demi Moore for Pushing Her to Sing Publicly in 'Now and Then'

Rita Wilson, a familiar face in film and television, has recently expanded her artistic repertoire to include singing and songwriting. At 69, she reflects on a pivotal moment that changed her creative trajectory.

During a recent event at 92NY promoting her album Sound of a Woman, Wilson recounted a significant experience with Demi Moore, who encouraged her to sing publicly for the first time while they were filming the 1995 comedy Now and Then.

“We've been friends for a very, very long time, I'd say around 30 years,” Wilson shared with Moore. “In that scene from Now and Then, my character Chrissy sings The Jackson Five's ‘I'll Be There.' I had never sung anywhere like publicly ever… and Demi encouraged me to do it.”

This moment marked a turning point for Wilson, who described it as the first time she allowed anyone to hear her sing. “So that's actually the first moment that I ever did anything like that publicly. So that's thanks to you,” she expressed, acknowledging Moore's role in her journey.

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Since that day, Wilson has embraced her musical side, releasing several albums including AM/FM, Halfway to Home, Bigger Picture, and Now & Forever: Duets. Her latest project, Sound of a Woman, was released on May 1, showcasing her evolution as a recording artist.

While her acting career remains extensive, Wilson's songwriting has emerged as a vital form of expression. During her conversation with Moore, she also recognized another influential figure in her music journey: songwriter Kara DioGuardi.

“I love to shout out people who I love because I really wouldn't be here without a woman who's in the house tonight, who was the person that actually encouraged me and made me believe I could be a songwriter,” Wilson stated. “Her name is Kara DioGuardi, and she is here.”

Wilson recounted a deeply personal moment with DioGuardi when asked about her aspirations. “What do you want to do?” DioGuardi inquired. Wilson admitted, “Oh, I would give anything to be a songwriter like you, but I can't.”

When asked why not, Wilson explained her lack of musical training. Instead of discouraging her, DioGuardi offered to write her first song—a simple yet transformative gesture that opened the door to Wilson's songwriting career and instilled the confidence needed to transform her thoughts into music.