Emma Heming and Demi Moore joined forces on Wednesday to raise awareness about frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the neurodegenerative disease diagnosed in actor Bruce Willis in 2023.
Emma, who married Bruce in 2009 and shares daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, with the Die Hard star, attended the NYC Soho Sessions benefit concert held in honor of her husband. Demi was by her side, and the pair share a close bond despite the actress having divorced Bruce in 2000 after 13 years of marriage and three daughters together.
The event featured appearances by stars including Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan, and Whoopi Goldberg. Together, they aimed to raise money and awareness for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those suffering from FTD.
A lineup of performers played to the star-studded crowd, including Keith Richards, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, and Warren Haynes, all longtime friends of Bruce Willis.
“Bruce would have loved this. He always loved live music. [He’d be excited to see] all of them, because all of them are, you know, his friends,” Emma told People. “I think that he would’ve definitely got up there and started playing his harmonica. I’m just grateful that they would show up for this. But they also have their special relationship with Bruce.”
Emma added that their family’s journey with Bruce’s illness has been incredibly challenging. They were left with “no roadmap, no support, nothing” following his diagnosis.
Before the performances began, the former model took the stage to thank the crowd for their support. “I just wanna say first, thank you all for being here. This is incredible, and I love what you guys are doing here at the Soho [Sessions] to be able to raise awareness for frontotemporal dementia,” she said. “This is gonna bring all of Bruce’s friends and family together. So thank you for being here. I honestly wish Bruce could be here, but he’s here in spirit.”
Soho Sessions is produced by Greg Williamson and Nicole Rechter, who have raised more than $75 million for charity over the years.
Norah Jones impressed the crowd with her soulful vocals and shared with People that Bruce had been a kind and supportive friend to her. “He was very kind to me one time. He was just really nice to me. He was checking on me all night because I was alone at this weird party. And so I was happy to be here,” she explained.
Bruce’s longtime friend Whoopi Goldberg also attended the event and told Vanity Fair, “I’m sad that this cause exists, but if we’re gonna fight it, this is the best way I can think of. We’ve been friends for 30 years, I think, so anything I can do for him and the family, I’m happy to do it.”
After their divorce, Bruce and Demi worked hard to maintain a friendship for the sake of their daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah, which made it easier for Emma to build a bond with Demi when she began dating Bruce.
“I have so much compassion for Emma in this, being a young woman,” Demi said on Oprah’s podcast. “There’s no way that anybody could have anticipated where this was going to go, and I really think she’s done a masterful job. She has been so dedicated to forging the right path. She’s had equal amounts of fear and strength and courage in navigating this.”
https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/866218/emma-heming-and-demi-moore-unite-for-powerful-bruce-willis-tribute/
