Oh my god, I just read that Gina Gershon is still dealing with trauma from filming ‘Showgirls’! Apparently, playing Cristal really messed her up and she’s been diagnosed with PTSD. It’s awful to think that something she did so long ago is still impacting her life like that, but honestly, that movie was intense, so I kind of get it. She was amazing in it, but it clearly took a toll.
Gershon, now 63, recently shared that making the cult film was a deeply upsetting experience. She was so affected by the negative reaction it received after its 1995 release that she couldn’t bring herself to watch it.
She admitted on The Julia Cunningham Show that she avoided watching it for a long time, explaining it gave her a mild form of post-traumatic stress.
I don’t mean to diminish the experiences of those with real PTSD, but thinking about certain stories or events would make me really stressed and worried, so I stopped watching them.
Gershon explained that she pleaded with director Paul Verhoeven to cut a violent rape scene from the film, where the character Molly is attacked at a party.
She recalled being deeply offended by a particular scene, saying she immediately thought, “That was crazy – it absolutely had to be removed.”
However, Gershon said that she’s now become more comfortable with the film over time.
She explained that seeing it from a distance felt like a critique of negative aspects of American society, as well as the effects of capitalism and the ways power operates.
It’s frustrating, but not surprising, that the show includes a rape scene – it highlights how those in power often get away with terrible things. That’s what makes it so satisfying when Nomi, played by Elizabeth Berkley, fights back.
Gershon later confessed that she initially expected Showgirls to resemble Paul Verhoeven’s earlier Dutch films, known for their gritty and European aesthetic. She anticipated a tone different from his more famous American movies, such as Basic Instinct, RoboCop, Total Recall, and Starship Troopers.
After looking back on his American films, I realize they offer a really insightful perspective on America and the rise of fascism.
Released in 1995, Showgirls was a critical and commercial failure, largely because it received an NC-17 rating, which severely limited its audience.
You know, I’ve been watching this show for years, and it’s amazing how it’s really had a moment! What started as a bit of guilty pleasure has actually become something people are taking seriously. Critics are now saying it wasn’t just fluff – it was a surprisingly clever take on American culture and the whole world of show business. It’s really a misunderstood gem, honestly!
Showgirls tells the story of Nomi Malone, a determined dancer with a troubled history, as she pursues stardom in Las Vegas.
She began her career dancing at a rough nightclub, but eventually earned a spot in a more upscale topless revue starring the famous Cristal Connors.
Malone and Connors quickly developed a complicated relationship, becoming rivals who were also attracted to each other. As Malone’s career took off, their dynamic became a playful but competitive game.
The movie reveals the dark and gritty side of the entertainment world, showing things like prostitution, drug abuse, and exploitation.
When the movie first came out, critics and viewers heavily criticized Berkley’s dramatic performance, making her the subject of ridicule. However, she’s since accepted it and often joins devoted fans for screenings of the film.
Last year, she even launched a full-scale tour to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
After a long break, the actress known for her role on Saved By The Bell has recently proven herself as a strong performer again, appearing in shows like Cobra Kai and All’s Fair, as well as the movie Shell.
Gershon’s career recovered after Showgirls, mainly because the films Bound (1996) and Face/Off (1997) were successful.
More recently, she’s starred in Riverdale, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and House of Versace.
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2026-03-12 03:05