Elizabeth Berkley Says Her Mom Thought She Would Get An Oscar Her Role In The Widely Mocked ‘Showgirls’

In an appearance at the Academy Museum’s David Geffen Theater, actress Elizabeth Berkley shared her personal insights into the much-maligned 1995 film Showgirls.

Berkley, who portrayed the Las Vegas dancer Nomi Malone, revealed that her family’s reaction to the film differed significantly from the general public’s perception at the time.

“My mommy asked my agent at the time — I won’t mention his name — do you think that she could win an Oscar for this role?” she recalled.

Berkley playfully expressed gratitude to the Academy and jokingly acknowledged her mother’s aspirations. However, she highlighted the film’s transformation from a critical disappointment to a beloved cult classic.

Berkley emphasized the film’s significance. “I’m so grateful that the film has found its way not only in your hearts but especially the LGBTQ community,” she said.

The actress choked up as the audience rose to their feet to give her a standing ovation.

After the runaway success of 1992’s Basic Instinct, director Paul Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas‘ followed up with Showgirls, envisioned as a gritty take on the real and sometimes dangerous lives of Las Vegas entertainers.

Berkley’s career took a blow when critics branded the young actress as “irritating” and “a bimbo” for her performance in the film. Showgirls‘ commercial failure, as it earned only $20 million on a $45 million budget, coupled with its record-breaking 13 Golden Raspberry Award nominations (seven of which it won), swiftly halted Berkley’s career momentum.

In a 2020 interview with People, Berkley revealed the profound impact that Showgirls had on her life and career; as her first major film role, she experienced a sense of isolation within the entertainment industry following its release.

Berkley recalled when she received the recognition of Worst Actress and Worst New Star at the Golden Raspberry Awards and the further ways the film was brutally criticized. Despite the negative reception, she stood firm in her belief that her responsibility as an actor was to fulfill the director’s vision, which she wholeheartedly did.

Berkley made headlines for her appearance on Dancing With The Stars in 2013.