Gina Gershon Opens Up About PTSD from Infamous Showgirls Role
Actress Gina Gershon has revealed that her role in the controversial 1995 film Showgirls left her with symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder. Reflecting on the camp classic, the 63-year-old star admitted she was so traumatized by the backlash that she avoided watching the movie for years after its release.
Trauma and Avoidance Following Critical Backlash
In a candid interview on The Julia Cunningham Show, Gershon explained her emotional response. "You know, I couldn't watch it for years because I was like... a little bit of PTSD, I think, in a very slight way," she confessed. "No disrespect to real PTSD, but I would get very tense and anxious when I thought about certain things and stories and so I never really watched it again." This admission highlights the profound impact that negative reception can have on performers, even decades later.
Controversial Rape Scene Sparked Outrage
Gershon specifically recalled a brutal gang rape scene involving the character Molly, which she vehemently opposed during production. "I remember when I saw that rape scene, I'm like, 'Are you insane? You have to take this scene out!' I was so offended by it," she said, describing how she begged director Paul Verhoeven to remove it. Her objections underscore the ethical dilemmas actors face when confronting graphic content in filmmaking.
Reappraisal and Cultural Commentary
Over time, Gershon has developed a more nuanced perspective on Showgirls. She now views it as a sharp critique of American society. "When I saw it from afar, it's really a comment on ugly America and on capitalism and on power struggles and dynamics and all those things," she explained. Regarding the rape scene, she conceded, "Of course that rape scene has to be there. It's the grossest thing in there, and the powerful men, they're all protected. So that's why it's exciting when [Elizabeth Berkley's character Nomi] kicks the guy's a**." This shift reflects the film's journey from critical flop to cult classic.
Initial Expectations and Directorial Insights
Gershon admitted she initially expected Showgirls to resemble Verhoeven's darker European films, rather than his American works like Basic Instinct or RoboCop. "I think his American films, now that I've studied it and stepped out of it, they're really interesting comments on America and fascism," she reflected, acknowledging the director's satirical intent.
Showgirls' Rocky Path to Cult Status
Released in 1995 with an NC-17 rating, Showgirls faced widespread condemnation and poor box office returns. The film follows Nomi Malone, played by Elizabeth Berkley, an ambitious dancer navigating Las Vegas's seedy entertainment world, including prostitution, drug use, and abuse. Berkley's performance was initially mocked, but she has since embraced the film, attending screenings and launching a 30th-anniversary tour. Meanwhile, Gershon's career flourished post-Showgirls with hits like Bound and Face/Off, and recent roles in Riverdale and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
This reappraisal has transformed Showgirls into a misunderstood masterpiece, celebrated for its satire of American culture and show business. Gershon's revelations add a personal layer to its complex legacy, illustrating how art can evoke lasting emotional responses in its creators.
