Elizabeth Berkley left behind her innocent Saved By the Bell years when she starred in Paul Verhoeven’s sleazy deep-dive into the world of Las Vegas strippers, Showgirls. The movie was a complete disaster when it was released in 1995, and pretty much destroyed Berkley’s career in a heartbeat. However, now the actress has made peace with the movie and the way it was, unfairly, treated at that time of its debut, and has been celebrating the 30th anniversary by getting back in the showgirl mood as part of fashion designer Betsey Johnson’s Holiday 2025 campaign.
After finding success in teen comedy series Saved by the Bell, Berkley took on the lead role in Verhoeven’s exploitative, controversial movie. Starring alongside established stars like Gina Gershon and Kyle MacLaughlin among others, Berkley’s character, Nomi, bared a lot of flesh during the movie and simulated sex on multiple occasions. In 1995, it was all too much for many critics and audiences, who slammed the movie as “vile, contemptible, garish, and misogynistic.” However, what they missed was that this was exactly the point.
Sharing her thoughts on taking part in the new fashion campaign, which took some inspiration from the type of costumes seen in the movie, Berkley said (via The Mail):
“I’ve worn [Betsey’s] creations since I was a teen. Like the perfect mixtape, her clothing has been the soundtrack to so many memories, marking different ages, stages, and milestones in my life. To now celebrate this full circle moment – the anniversary of Showgirls and this beautiful campaign with Betsey, truly feels like magic.”
Johnson reciprocated the praise, saying of Berkley:
“Elizabeth and I have always believed in standing out, shining brighter, and dancing to your own rhythm. She’s the original showgirl, bold, fearless, and fabulous. This holiday, it’s all about owning your moment.”
The “full-circle” moment in Berkley’s career is perhaps made more special when you note that the actress spent her first Saved by the Bell paycheck in one of Johnson’s stores, and she wore one of the designer’s creations when auditioning and screen testing for the role of Nomi in Showgirls.
‘Showgirls’ Is Either the Worst Movie in the World, or a Satirical Masterpiece
Paul Verhoeven does not make movies to be ignored. From Basic Instinct to Starship Troopers, the director’s films have often courted controversy for one reason or another, and several have been completely misunderstood on their original release. However, years pass and can reshape the way a movie resonates.
Showgirls is never going to see its Rotten Tomatoes score rise to a level where the movie can be rated as “fresh,” but the conflicting opinions of whether Verhoeven’s movie is real trash or masterpiece trash is one that has continued to develop over recent years. Some have praised the film’s “intentionally camp glory” and the “too subtle satire of male objectification that many don’t notice is even there.”
Berkley herself praised the movie earlier this year, attending a LGBTQ+ Pride screening of the movie, and hailing the film as being “ahead of its time” and thanking the community for their support of the movie in recent years.
“It’s about vindication, reclamation, and it’s about owning our truths and owning our stories and not waiting for someone else to approve it, get it, to validate it, to just own who you are, like Nomi, and be brave and bold. I will forever have your back the way you had mine and I love that this film has brought you joy, too. It was way ahead of its time. Way, way, way ahead of its time. But I am so grateful for you”
- Release Date
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September 22, 1995
- Runtime
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131 Minutes
- Writers
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Joe Eszterhas