Demi Moore and Nicole Kidman are going head to head for Oscars glory this coming awards season, which is somewhat awkward as they’ve been close friends off screen for more than three decades and hate being competitive with each other, a source exclusively tells In Touch. 

“Demi and Nicole have been friends for more than thirty years, and an awkward awards season isn’t going to erase their history together, ways a source close to Demi’s team of the situation, “but they both took huge risks on their respective contending movies this year – Nicole’s Babygirl and Demi’s The Substance, and they both want to see those risks pay off.”

As it stands now, the insider alleges Demi, 62, has the edge. After all, she picked up a Critics’ Choice Awards nomination for Best Actress. While the Ghost actress missed out on the actual win, her film did pick up Best Picture at the awards, while Nicole, 57, was left out in the cold after being snubbed for even the nomination.

The move has cast Big Little Lies actress’ Oscar hopes into doubt as her team prepares for awards season. Many social media users expressed a mixture of surprise and anger at the news, considering how well-received Nicole’s work had been up to now in one of her most sexually-charged roles since Eyes Wide Shut.

“Very shocked Kidman was missed,” a fan wrote of the snub.

“Many were saying Kidman was a lock. This shows the Best Actress race is very tight and anything could happen,” another user said.

Even though Nicole may have taken a blow to her confidence going forward, the source says, “It’s not lost on either of them or their teams that Demi is the one who is overdue for serious awards recognition.” 

“That doesn’t make anything about this less awkward, though. Nicole is obsessed with staying relevant and staying on the cutting edge, but it’s a whole different story for Demi. She has re-established herself as a movie star this year and she wants to keep making great movies.” 

The Strip Tease star had been on a bit of a career downturn until critic recognition of her work in The Substance. But with at least an Oscar nod looking more likely day after day, it would seem Demi’s star is back on the rise as far as serious roles are concerned.

Now, Does she have to mow through Nicole to do that?” the source asks. “They’re not competing directly at the Golden Globes,” the insider says, referencing the fact they were in different categories for the Globes, “but the Oscars are going to be whole different story.” 

“It’s going to be a test of this friendship. Demi wants to win, she has tons of support in the community and among fans online, and she’s playing everything very cool. She has the edge, without a doubt.” 

“But it remains to be seen just how hard she and Nicole go against each other when there’s a Best Actress trophy at stake.”