Elizabeth Berkley's Journey: From 'Showgirls' Flop to Triumphant Cult Status

After the infamous Showgirls tanked her career, Elizabeth Berkley is boldly reclaiming her narrative, celebrating the film's unexpected cult status, and returning to the screen on her own terms.

TL;DR

• Elizabeth Berkley faced a two-year industry "lockout" after Showgirls flopped critically and commercially in 1995.
• The film has since undergone a massive cultural re-evaluation, becoming a beloved cult classic, especially among queer audiences and academics.
• Berkley is now enjoying a vibrant career resurgence with new TV roles and an emotional 30th-anniversary tour for Showgirls.

Imagine being on top of the world, fresh off a hit TV show, then starring in what was supposed to be your big-screen breakthrough—only for it to become one of Hollywood's most spectacular bombs. That's exactly what happened to Elizabeth Berkley with 1995's Showgirls. For years, the film's spectacular failure cast a long shadow over her career, but fast forward to today, and Berkley isn't just surviving; she's absolutely thriving, proving that some comebacks are worth the wait.

The Vegas Dream That Became a Hollywood Nightmare for Elizabeth Berkley

Back in 1995, Elizabeth Berkley was a recognizable face, having charmed audiences as Jessie Spano on the beloved teen series Saved by the Bell. Her next big move was starring in Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls, a provocative, NC-17-rated dive into the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Verhoeven was hot off hits like RoboCop and Basic Instinct, so the project felt like a golden ticket for the 21-year-old actress.

The film, featuring Berkley as the ambitious Nomi Malone, was met with harsh critical reviews and outright derision. It quickly cemented its place in Hollywood lore as an unmitigated disaster, bombing hard at the box office. Much of the criticism, unfortunately, landed squarely on Berkley's performance, marking an incredibly difficult chapter for the rising star.

Being 'Literally Locked Out': The Crushing Aftermath of 'Showgirls'

The fallout from Showgirls was immediate and brutal for Berkley. She openly shared that the industry responded by shutting doors, with her agents dropping her and projects evaporating. "For a good two years, I wasn’t allowed to audition for things," she admitted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter (November 10, 2025).

She described this period as being "literally locked out" of something she deeply loved. Publicists at the time even prepped her for difficult interviews by showing her clippings of reviews that blatantly insulted her looks and abilities. It was a tough education in Hollywood's darker side.

"A lot of things went on that wouldn’t be allowed now – someone could not be pummeled to that degree. I couldn’t understand how people could be so cruel, but I’m tough. I had to separate out what they said from what I believed to be true."

— Elizabeth Berkley (The Hollywood Reporter, November 10, 2025)

Despite feeling isolated and abandoned by those she collaborated with, Berkley showed incredible resilience. She took on the daunting task of promoting Showgirls herself across 10 countries, a lonely and grueling experience. "It didn’t feel good, but I’m proud that I did that. I’m not a quitter. I wanted to speak. I wanted to be heard. I had no other platform," she told the Los Angeles Times (November 11, 2025).

A Quiet Rebirth: From Stage Lights to Supporting Roles in Hollywood

Locked out but not defeated, Berkley refused to give up on her passion. She dove into acting and dance classes, determined to hone her craft. Her persistent efforts began to pay off, albeit slowly. She won a part in The First Wives Club (1996) by sending in an audition tape — a rare move at the time — after personally contacting Paramount chairperson Sherry Lansing. This was one of her first significant roles post-Showgirls.

Over the next two decades, Berkley steadily clawed her way back, embracing supporting roles in indie films and television series, and earning critical acclaim on stage. She impressed audiences in London's West End with Lenny in 1999, and later on Broadway in Sly Fox (2004) and in the off-Broadway revival of Hurlyburly in 2005. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times notably praised her performance in Hurlyburly, calling her "pretty darn good" and a "testament to how much her talent has grown."

Her television appearances ranged from CSI: Miami and The L Word to a guest spot on New Girl in 2016. She even revisited her roots, reprising her role as Jessie Spano in Peacock's 2020 Saved by the Bell revival, an experience she described as "healing." Beyond acting, Berkley launched Ask-Elizabeth in 2006, an empowerment program and book for teenage girls, showcasing her commitment to helping others navigate their own challenges.

'Ver-sayce' and the Unlikely Rise of a Cult Phenomenon

While Berkley was quietly rebuilding her career, something unexpected was happening with Showgirls. The film, once universally panned, began to undergo a remarkable cultural re-evaluation. Over time, it transitioned from an "unmitigated disaster" to a "cult camp classic," embraced by a passionate audience.

Critics and academics began to study it as a "potent, deliciously indulgent satire," dissecting its over-the-top nature and unique artistic choices. Queer viewers, in particular, connected with Berkley’s outrageous, all-or-nothing commitment to the character of Nomi Malone. The film became a fixture at midnight screenings and was analyzed by filmmakers and fashion designers alike. Showgirls is commemorating its 30th anniversary in 2025 with a special tour, a testament to its enduring, albeit unconventional, legacy (Parade, November 11, 2025).

Berkley herself didn't fully grasp the magnitude of this shift until a 20th-anniversary screening at Cinespia in Los Angeles in 2015. She was greeted by 5,000 screaming fans "like a rock star," a profoundly moving experience after years of isolated backlash. Even the film's most infamous line, Nomi's clueless pronunciation of "Ver-sayce," has transcended pop culture, becoming a viral meme even acted out by Donatella Versace herself on Instagram. It’s a testament to how deeply the film, and Berkley's performance, have resonated.

Reclaiming Her Narrative: An Anniversary Tour and Fresh Starts

Now, 30 years after the initial critical onslaught, Elizabeth Berkley is fully embracing the Showgirls phenomenon. She's spearheading a full anniversary tour alongside Live Nation and WME, planned for at least 10 U.S. cities, featuring screenings, bonus footage, and her personal appearances. This tour isn't just about celebrating the film; it's a profound moment for her to "reclaim [her] narrative, share [her] story and celebrate and thank the fans in person" (The Hollywood Reporter, November 10, 2025).

Her career resurgence is undeniable. After a 15-year hiatus from feature films, she recently appeared in the indie Shell and guest-starred in the final season of Cobra Kai. Most notably, she's starring in Ryan Murphy's recently premiered legal drama series, All's Fair, playing a client in urgent need of help. Berkley praises Murphy for his ability to see beyond past perceptions, noting, "He has a gift for seeing what someone is actually capable of; maybe they haven’t been given the chance, but he can see beyond that."

Example: Imagine you’ve worked tirelessly on a project, poured your heart into it, only for it to be publicly shredded. Then, decades later, the same project is celebrated, and you finally get to meet the fans who found joy and meaning in it. That’s the emotional journey Berkley is experiencing with her Showgirls anniversary tour, finally getting to connect with the audience that truly embraced her work.

While Showgirls initially faced near-universal condemnation from mainstream critics, its subsequent re-evaluation highlights that critical consensus isn't always the final word on a film's cultural impact. Furthermore, Berkley's arduous journey back to prominence demonstrates that overcoming such a career-altering setback requires immense grit and patience, a path few actors ever successfully navigate to this degree. It’s a powerful story of perseverance.

What Elizabeth Berkley's Unyielding Journey Teaches Us

Elizabeth Berkley's story is far more than just a Hollywood anecdote; it's a masterclass in resilience and self-belief. Her willingness to confront a painful past and embrace an unexpected future offers valuable lessons for anyone facing professional or personal setbacks. She truly embodies the spirit of never giving up.

• Perseverance Pays Off: Despite being "locked out" of the industry for two years, Berkley never stopped working on her craft, eventually clawing her way back.
• Reclaim Your Narrative: She turned a career low point into a celebratory tour, taking control of her story and connecting directly with her audience.
• Trust Your Inner Voice: Even when facing intense public scrutiny, Berkley "separated out what they said from what [she] believed to be true."
• Embrace the Unexpected: A film once considered a flop found new life as a cult classic, showing that art's reception can evolve dramatically over time.
• Second Chances Happen: With new roles and an ongoing tour, Berkley proves that a career can be rebuilt and redefined, even after major obstacles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth Berkley and 'Showgirls' When did Showgirls originally release? Showgirls premiered in 1995. Elizabeth Berkley was 21 years old at the time of its release. What is Elizabeth Berkley currently working on? Elizabeth Berkley recently starred in Ryan Murphy’s legal drama All’s Fair, and guest-starred in the final season of Cobra Kai. She is also leading a 30th-anniversary tour for Showgirls. Why was Showgirls so controversial? The film was highly controversial for its NC-17 rating, explicit content, and received overwhelmingly negative critical reviews upon its release, with many critics specifically targeting Elizabeth Berkley's performance. How did Showgirls become a cult classic? Over the years, Showgirls was re-evaluated by audiences and some critics, who began to appreciate its campy style, over-the-top performances, and satirical elements. It gained a devoted following, particularly within the queer community, and is now celebrated as a cult film. Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter, "Elizabeth Berkley’s Wild Ride Post-Showgirls: From Bomb to Beloved," November 10, 2025
• Los Angeles Times, "Elizabeth Berkley was ‘locked out’ of acting after ‘Showgirls’ bombed, but she never gave up," November 11, 2025
• Parade, "Elizabeth Berkley felt 'locked out' after Showgirls flop," November 11, 2025
• Good Morning America (via Web Desk), "Elizabeth Berkley Opens Up About Hollywood ‘Lockout’ After Showgirls Flop," November 11, 2025
• Lauren Novak, "Whatever Happened to Elizabeth Berkley? Here’s What the ‘All’s Fair’ Guest Star Has Been Up To," November 3, 2025