Showgirls star Elizabeth Berkley broke down in tears at a screening of the film on Wednesday as she thanked fans for “always believing” in the film that torpedoed her career.
The Saved by the Bell actress, 49, shattered her wholesome image when she played sassy stripper Nomi Malone in the 1995 erotic thriller, which tanked at the box office and won seven Golden Raspberry Awards.
Berkley was effectively banned from Hollywood after its release, but Showgirls quickly became a cult film in the decades that followed – with the star sobbing as she appeared at a special screening of the film at the Academy Museum d ‘Hollywood.
The actress recalled that before the film’s release, her mother called her agent to ask if her daughter could be nominated for an Oscar for the film.
Although it’s hard to believe, this was a time when Basic Instinct had just made Sharon Stone one of the biggest movie stars in the world. So Berkley’s mother had high hopes — but alas, her daughter ended up winning the Razzie Award for Worst Actress that year.
Showgirls star Elizabeth Berkley broke down in tears at a screening of the film Wednesday as she thanked fans for “always believing” in the film that torpedoed her career.
The Saved by the Bell actress, 49, shattered her wholesome image when she played sassy stripper Nomi Malone in the 1995 erotic thriller, which tanked at the box office and won seven Golden Raspberry Awards.
Yet it seemed Berkley had the last word Wednesday night when he told the audience, “I’d like to thank the Academy…”, pausing to huge cheers before adding, “Museum!”
She added that “every girl in Hollywood fought for this role, so it wasn’t a weird thing to ask.”
Berkley was overcome with emotion and even broke down in tears while talking about the love the film received from the LGBTQ community.
She said the film “really pushed the boundaries of the era that have now been embraced – not misunderstood but truly embraced.”
“You supported the film. You have always believed, like me, and I am eternally grateful to you.
More than 1,000 fans of the film came to see the special 35mm print of the 1995 film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, who was not in attendance.
However, Berkley noted that the Dutch filmmaker was aware of the special screening and his continued love for the cult classic, which was mauled by critics upon its release.
Elizabeth rose to prominence in Saved By The Bell as high school student Jessie Spano.
Showgirls quickly became a cult favorite thanks in part to Elizabeth’s over-the-top performance as stripper Nomi and such ridiculous lines as the character saying she “loved Doggy Chow” in a memorable scene with Gina Gershon.
She and Tiffani Amber Thiessen had both auditioned for one of the other roles, and after Tiffani got that role, the character of Jessie was created for Elizabeth.
The series ran from 1989 to 1993, after which Elizabeth got her role on Showgirls.
At the time, the script was the most expensive ever sold – a sale that became infamous after the film was savaged by critics and flopped at the box office.
Although the film was a commercial bomb in theaters, hamstrung in part by its NC-17 rating, it ended up being a success on home video.
Showgirls quickly became a cult favorite thanks in part to Elizabeth’s over-the-top performance as stripper Nomi and such ridiculous lines as the character claiming she “loved Doggy Chow” in a memorable scene with Gina Gershon.
However, at the time, the film made Elizabeth persona non grata, after she left Saved By The Bell specifically to pursue acting.
Elizabeth rose to prominence in Saved By The Bell as high school student Jessie Spano and was pictured in the series in 1991 alongside Mario Lopez.
Berkley was effectively banned from Hollywood after its release, but Showgirls quickly became a cult film in the decades that followed – with the star sobbing as she appeared at a special screening of the film at the Academy Museum d ‘Hollywood.
“Of course it was disappointing that it didn’t work out well, but there was so much cruelty around it. I was bullied,” she told People two years ago years.
“And I didn’t understand why I was being blamed. An actor’s job is to realize the director’s vision. And I did everything I was supposed to do.
She noted that “no one associated with the film spoke up on my behalf to protect me.” I was left behind and an outcast in the industry I had worked so hard to build.
The film was nominated for 13 Golden Raspberry Awards – a record at the time.
