It took three decades, a cult comeback, and a whole lot of sequins, but Elizabeth Berkley is finally getting the last laugh. The Showgirls star is marking the movie’s 30th anniversary with a full-circle Betsey Johnson campaign that celebrates everything the critics once mocked.
In the campaign, Berkley, 53, channels her on-screen alter ego Nomi Malone in a sparkly silver leotard and a pink-and-purple robe inspired by the film’s showgirl aesthetic.
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“There are so many magical things about this campaign,” Berkley told People on Thursday, November 13. “Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Showgirls and the elements of glamour and fashion, and bringing that together with [Betsey’s] beautiful designs and nods to the now cult classic. It was this beautiful marriage of two worlds.”
In one shot, Berkley steps into full showgirl fantasy with a dramatic white tulle skirt, lace coat, and feathered headpiece that feels straight out of a vintage Vegas revue. It’s a bold wink at the over-the-top glam that once got her written off but now actually feels a little iconic.
Another photo shows Berkley lounging on a faded teal sofa in a lavender robe trimmed in feathers and a towering pink headdress, looking every inch the comeback queen. The whole vibe screams “I survived Showgirls despite the horrible reviews.”
Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images
The Saved by the Bell alum has spoken openly about how Showgirls affected her personally, as well as her career. In an interview with People in 2020, Berkley said that she never intended to do the movie for “shock value.”
“Of course it was disappointing that it didn’t do well, but there was so much cruelty around it,” she explained. “I was bullied. 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.”
Berkley also revealed that it hurt that “no one associated with the film spoke up on [her] behalf to protect [her].”
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“I was left out in the cold and I was a pariah in the industry I had worked so hard for,” she added.
Despite Showgirls’ disappointing box office numbers, it has slowly become a bit of a cult classic over the years, and ultimately, Berkley’s recovered. Fans can currently see her in Kim Kardashian’s new show All’s Fair streaming on Hulu.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.