The Complicated Life of Teen Sitcom Star Turned Film Actress Elizabeth Berkley

After Showgirls was released, much of the criticism centered on Berkley herself. Reviewers attacked her acting style, her appearance, and the amount of nudity in the film, making her the most visible symbol of the movie’s failure.

That reaction was especially complicated because Paul Verhoeven later said he had pushed her toward the exaggerated performance style critics mocked. Berkley had followed the direction of an established filmmaker, but she carried much of the public blame. The backlash did not stay limited to the movie, and soon it followed her career.