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From Saved by the Bell to Showgirls – Elizabeth Berkley’s racy role that ‘killed career’

Elizabeth Berkley left her fans aghast when she decided to leave behind the innocence of her Saved By The Bell role to shed all inhibitions for an erotic onscreen role.

Famous for playing Jessie Spano, a close acquaintance of Zack, Screech, Lisa and Kelly, in the teen comedy, Berkley took a bold step moving onto the most outrageously explicit sexy scenes yet seen in cinema. Swapping her pure girl-next-door image, Berkley set foot in Hollywood bagging the main part in Paul Verhoeven’s scandalous movie, Showgirls, post wrapping up the series.

Her character Nomi was a wannabe Las Vegas showgirl ready to bare it all for fame and success. The film intrigued audiences with its intense hype and controversy around explicit sexual content and nudity even before hitting the box office.

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Berkley’s character led the pack in displaying racy content with her erotic moves throughout the 131-minute runtime, while barely dressed.

Berkley as Saved By The Bell’s Jessie Spano
(Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

She didn’t miss out on performing a spine-chilling swimming pool sex scene with co-actor Kyle MacLachlan that definitely can’t be unwatched.

However, shocked reactions from the actress’ fans didn’t bother Berkley, who turns 53 today (July 28).

“It’s a little weird but it’s a role, it’s a part. I was transported to a different person so the nudity factor wasn’t something I concentrated on. It was just an essential part of telling the story,” she told NY Daily News.

Saved By The Bell cast
(Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

She revealed that she had to perfect her dance routines topless since it felt different than practising while dressed.

Berkley also boosted the confidence of her fellow chorus girls to rehearse ensemble while topless. Sadly for Berkley, though, her Hollywood dream was on the verge of crashing as soon as it kicked off.

The movie was a colossal failure, bagging an unprecedented 13 Golden Raspberry nominations, two of which were personally bagged by Berkley.

Berkley bagged two Golden Raspberries for her turn in Showgirls
(Image: PA)

“Of course it was disappointing that it didn’t do well, but there was so much cruelty around it,” she shared with People.

“I was bullied. And I didn’t understand why I was being blamed. The job as an actor is to fulfil the vision of the director. And I did everything I was supposed to do.”

However, the brutal reviews that the movie received upon its release have now calmed down, and the film has acquired a cult following.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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