‘Showgirls’ star Gina Gershon explains turning down ‘exploitative’ film role

In Hollywood, Gina Gershon has always trusted her gut.

At the beginning of his career, the actor was offered a role in “Friday the 13th,” which he eventually passed on after finding out that he would be empty handed. Gershon has a new memoir, “AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs,” which chronicles her rise to stardom and the many famous faces she met along the way.

“I was offered the lead in that movie,” Gershon told Fox News Digital. “And, of course, I really enjoyed acting in the movies, but it felt like exploitation to me and it’s a little silly that before he’s killed, he has to come out on top.”

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In the book, Gershon wrote, “Back then, those kinds of slasher movies always had girls dying with their breasts exposed. My character would be killed with a stake through the heart, blood dripping down her t–s. That seemed like paralysis to me: exploitation 101.”

Gershon asked his father for advice.

Ginny Field holding a pitchfork in a scene from the film “Friday Part 2,” circa 1981. (Paramount/Getty Images)

“Listen, I was really lucky to have a dad who taught me to believe in my decisions,” he told Fox News Digital. “It wasn’t that I should rebel against my family. I remember asking him about it, I think he would say, ‘No daughter of mine would do that!’ He said, ‘It’s your body. If you’re comfortable with it, I’m comfortable with it.’

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“When I sat and thought about it, I just thought, ‘I really don’t want to do this,'” he said. “I was uncomfortable with it. It seemed silly to me. It’s not that I had anything against nudity – I grew up on European films – but only if it made sense for the character and the story. But when it seemed silly, I don’t know. It just felt like it wasn’t appropriate for me.”

After talking to his father, Gershon refused.

Gina Gershon’s memoir, “AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs,” is available now. (Akashic Books, Ltd.)

“My father may have died early, but he taught me many valuable lessons during the 19 years I was with him,” Gershon wrote. “Most of all, he taught me to be confident when making my own decisions.”

Actress Gina Gershon on the set of the Tri-Star film “Red Heat” in 1988. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

“This theme of trusting my gut has always been reflected in my life,” he added.

It’s important advice that has stayed with Gershon over the years, including in 1995’s “Showgirls.” The film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, follows the growth and unfolding of a young dancer’s character. It also starred “Saved by the Bell” star Elizabeth Berkley.

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Gershon admitted in the book that he and Verhoeven fought “constantly” over artistic differences involving his character, Crystal Connors.

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Gina Gershon as Crystal Connors in “Showgirls” 1995. (© 1995 United Artists/Murray Close/ALAMY)

“I think Paul secretly enjoyed it when we argued about mundane things,” she wrote. “Sometimes I suspected that he was throwing things out there to see if he could get up from me or not, maybe it was annoying that I just rolled over and did what he asked.

“No matter what the situation was, our battles were intense. And let me say this: I loved Paul. A lot! Especially when we weren’t locked in some control game. He is a very intelligent, very interesting man. A mathematician and a theologian. I really enjoyed our discussions about religion and philosophy.”

Gina Gershon at the Los Angeles premiere of “Showgirls” in 1995. (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Gershon said they were scheduled to shoot the scene that happened in Cristal’s dressing room. That’s where he got a surprise.

Director Paul Verhoeven (center) poses with stars Gina Gershon (left) and Elizabeth Berkley (right) at the premiere of “Showgirls” in Beverly Hills. (Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)

“I was also in the hair and makeup trailer, waiting for my crew to change me, when Paul walked in and said without warning, ‘In today’s scene, I think it would be nice if you showed your private part,'” she wrote. “Wow, it came out f—–g blue. Just this morning, I made a deal with myself that no matter what happens, I will avoid all arguments that day. Well, this boy was going to be a tough one.

Gina Gershon attended the 40th anniversary of “Sophie’s Choice” at the Museum of Modern Art on Feb. 6, 2024, New York City. (Dia Dipasupil/WireImage/Getty Images)

“‘Why?’ I asked. And in my honest, cool actor voice, without trying to offend or sound like——e, I continued, ‘I mean, what’s the reason Cristal did that? I’m open to anything as long as it makes sense. How does it express my character? How does it move the story forward?”

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In her memoir, Gina Gershon described how she would interview director Paul Verhoeven on the set of 1995’s “Showgirls.” (TCD/Prod.DB/ALAMY)

The filmmaker revealed that Berkley will be doing the same and that Sharon Stone has also taken a bad scene in her previous film, “Basic Instinct.”

Gershon wrote that she remained calm, noting that her contract did not require that level of nudity in the role. To avoid tension at the scene, he defused the situation by suggesting an exaggerated alternative. It prompted the director to abandon this idea and continue with the scene as originally written.

Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone on the set of “Basic Instinct” directed by Paul Verhoeven. (Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

“I was so relieved, Paul backed away from my car, looked at me like I was crazy, and said, ‘No, it’s okay, we’re going to do the scene as written. Forget what I said,'” she wrote. “He didn’t talk about my smile again.”

Kyle MacLachlan and Elizabeth Berkley on the set of “Showgirls” directed by Paul Verhoeven. (Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

In response, a spokesperson for Verhoeven told Fox News Digital, “Mr. Verhoeven has not read the memoir, and has no comment.”

“I think the real challenge is that I went into ‘Showgirls’ thinking it’s a completely different movie,” Gershon explained to Fox News Digital.

Gina Gershon walks the runway during the Lingua Franca NYFW Fall/Winter 2025 Runway Show at The Bowery Hotel on Feb. 4, 2025, New York City. (Udo Salters/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

“It was very difficult, and I loved the part. It was very active in my mind. And when I got to the set, I realized that it was a completely different film from what I thought. So I think the biggest challenge was to adapt to what it was and find a way to play it that makes sense in the environment.”

“Showgirls” is now a cult classic. (Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

Despite widespread attention regarding its NC-17 rating and explicit content, the film underperformed at the box office, People magazine reported. According to the outlet, “Showgirls” made under its $45 million budget and was well received by critics.

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But today, it is widely considered an ancient religion.

Gina Gershon is seen here opposite star Elizabeth Berkley in “Showgirls.” (Everett Collection)

“‘Showgirls’ has been a very exciting journey,” Gershon told Fox News Digital. “It’s funny to me how when it came out, a lot of journalists jumped on the bandwagon saying, ‘This movie is horrible.’ They really tore it up.”

“Thankfully, I came out of it unscathed, but still, it’s not a good feeling,” he reflected. “You want every movie to do well. And I actually think it would have done well. I just thought the marketing was stupid, and it was totally inappropriate. [rated] NC-17 to start. That’s another discussion.”

Gina Gershon at the Brenden Celebrity Suite in Las Vegas. (Michael Caulfield/WireImage/Getty Images)

“Now, some of those reporters, it’s like the first question they want to talk about. ‘Let’s talk about ‘Showgirls.’ It’s a cult that will never die!'” he laughed. “All of a sudden, people who hated it now love it. I’m glad it brought a lot of people hours of entertainment. It really taught me not to pay too much attention to reviews. You can’t really listen to critics too much. That was my biggest lesson in that.”

Gina Gershon at the opening of the Met Opera on September 21, 2025, in New York. (Alyssa Greenberg/WWD via Getty Images)

Guided by his instincts, Gershon said his goal has always been to tell good stories.

“I want to do something that I’m proud of or that I’d like to see,” added Gershon.