Fans of Showgirls who were in attendance at its Cinespia screening at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery this weekend got a surprise treat from none other than Elizabeth Berkley herself. The Saturday night event kicked off with the actress providing an introduction to the film that is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.
The woman who brought Nomi Malone to life on the big screen sent the audience into a frenzy as she discussed the movie that was once ridiculed, but has since become one of MGM’s top selling video/DVD releases. Berkley who described the evening as “a full circle moment” expressed her gratitude to the die-hard fans who “made this the cult film that it is.”
Berkley also made reference to SCOTUS’s historic marriage equality ruling stating, “I truly can’t think of a better night to have come to the first screening of Showgirls in twenty years, a night after a day that we got to witness in this lifetime.” She is obviously keenly aware of the movie’s huge appeal to the LGBT audience.
Elizabeth ended the introduction with some signature Nomi Malone hand-ography. Take that, Cristal Connors!
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Showgirls opened in 1995 to reviews calling it “impossibly vulgar, tawdry and coarse,” and declaring, “the absence of both drama and eroticism turns Showgirls into a bare-butted bore.” However, it was Berkley who unjustly bore the brunt of the criticism. It’s nice to see that she has developed an appreciation for the film’s now-cult classic status and is embracing Showgirls rather than disassociating herself from it.
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The actress and New York Times best-selling author of Ask Elizabeth posted the following on her Instagram account after Saturday’s event:
With her display of gratitude and love, Elizabeth Berkley can now add icon to her list of accomplishments.
Brandon Humphries
Captain Obvious
Damn she looks amazing!
SportGuy
Love her! She is still gorgeous!
Maximus Alegria
Benoît Gorez!
DuMaurier
She seems to get more beautiful as she gets older, but when did Elizabeth Berkley become a “gay icon”? I’m not being snide, I’ve honestly never heard anyone say that before.
Rob91316
My husband of 15 years (legally married since Prop 8 was overturned here in California two years ago) are both hardcore fans of “Showgirls” and in attendance at Saturday night’s screening. When Ms. Berkley made a surprise appearance to intro the show, our heads almost exploded. She is as gorgeous as ever — and to hear her amazing, joyful, exuberant speech and loving embrace of the movie’s cult status melted our hearts! It was a MAGICAL evening, for sure! NOMI MALONE FOREVER!!!
Streamciter
Gay icon? I have no interest in watching straight women take off their clothes.