Showgirls star Elizabeth Berkley tears up thanking fans for 'always believing' in the cult classic that was savaged by critics - as 35mm print is screened at the Academy Museum in LA
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 movie which torpedoed her career.
The Saved by the Bell actress, 49, shattered her wholesome image when she starred as sassy stripper Nomi Malone in the 1995 erotic thriller, which tanked at the box office and won seven Golden Raspberry awards.
Berkley was effectively shut out of Hollywood after its release but Showgirls has rapidly become a cult favorite in the decades since - with the star sobbing as she appeared at a special screening of the film at Hollywood's Academy Museum.
The actress recalled how prior to the film’s release, her mother had called her agent to ask if her daughter might get nominated for an Oscar for the film.
Although hard to believe, this was a time when Basic Instinct had just turned Sharon Stone into one of the biggest movie stars in the world. So Berkley’s mother had high hopes – but alas, her daughter ended up winning that year’s Razzie Award for worst actress.
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 movie which torpedoed her career
The Saved by the Bell actress, 49, shattered her wholesome image when she starred as sassy stripper Nomi Malone in the 1995 erotic thriller, which tanked at the box office and won seven Golden Raspberry awards
Still, it seemed Berkley had the last laugh on Wednesday’s night when 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 was not a strange thing to ask.'
Berkley became overwhelmed with emotion and even broke down in tears when talking about the love the film has received from the LGBTQ community.
She said the film 'really pushed the boundaries at that time that now have been embraced — not misunderstood but truly embraced.'
'You stood by the film. You always believed as did I and for that I’m eternally grateful.'
Over 1,000 fans of the movie came out to watch the special 35mm print of the 1995 film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, who not in attendance.
However, Berkley noted that the Dutch filmmaker was aware of the special screening and continued love for the cult classic, that was mauled by critics upon its release.
Elizabeth rose to prominence on Saved By The Bell as high school girl Jessie Spano.
Showgirls rapidly became a cult favorite thanks in part to Elizabeth's over-the-top performance as stripper Nomi and to such ridiculous lines as the character claiming she 'used to love 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 part, the character of Jessie was created for Elizabeth.
The show ran from 1989 to 1993, after which Elizabeth secured her role in Showgirls.
The script at the time was the most expensive ever sold - a sale that became infamous after the film was savaged by the critics and tanked at the box office.
Although the movie was a commercial bomb in theaters, hamstrung partly by its NC-17 rating, it wound up being a smash on home video.
Showgirls rapidly became a cult favorite thanks in part to Elizabeth's over-the-top performance as stripper Nomi and to such ridiculous lines as the character claiming she 'used to love Doggy Chow' in a memorable scene with Gina Gershon.
However at the time the film made Elizabeth persona non grata, after she had left Saved By The Bell specifically to break into the movies.
Elizabeth rose to prominence on Saved By The Bell as high school girl Jessie Spano and is pictured on the show in 1991 alongside Mario Lopez
Berkley was effectively shut out of Hollywood after its release but Showgirls has rapidly become a cult favorite in the decades since - with the star sobbing as she appeared at a special screening of the film at Hollywood's Academy Museum
'Of course it was disappointing that it didn't do well, but there was so much cruelty around it. I was bullied,' she told People two years ago.
'And I didn't understand why I was being blamed. The job as an actor is to fulfill the vision of the director. And I did everything I was supposed to do.'
She noted 'no one associated with the film spoke up on my behalf to protect me. I was left out in the cold and I was a pariah in the industry I had worked so hard for.'
The film was nominated for 13 Golden Raspberry Awards - a record at the time.
