“Nomi’s got heat.” Decades later, it still rings true for Showgirls and its fiery cast.
When Paul Verhoeven‘s erotic drama premiered on Sept. 22, 1995, its NC-17 rating and graphic content generated controversy, yet it achieved little box office success; the film made less than its $45 million budget and was widely panned by critics.
Starring Saved by the Bell alum Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone, Showgirls follows her outrageous journey through the Las Vegas revue scene. With all of its campiness — and yes, nudity — the film has become a cult classic, with fans ranging from midnight movie crowds to celebrities like Ariana Grande, who paid homage to the flick by recreating scenes on TikTok with friend and former Victorious costar Elizabeth Gillies for Halloween 2023.
While there’s plenty to gawk at on-screen, the movie’s greatest legacy might be its ridiculously quotable dialogue. In honor of Showgirls’ 30th anniversary, here are some of the most unforgettable lines from the niche favorite.
As the film is NC-17, proceed with caution.
The dialogue between Nomi and Molly while Nomi struggles to get ketchup out of a bottle
MGM Gina Ravera (left) as Molly Abrams and Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone in ‘Showgirls’
The first 10 minutes of this movie are a wild ride. In her first scene with her soon-to-be BFF, Molly (Gina Ravera) — who just saved her from oncoming traffic and bought her food — Nomi is still fuming over her stolen suitcase. While Molly tries to make small talk, Nomi is more intent on showing just how angry she is. The dialogue goes like this:
Molly: Where are you from?
Nomi: Back East.
Molly: From where back East?
Nomi: Different places!
The ketchup and fries are casualties in this conversation.
“If it’s at The Cheetah, it’s not dancin’ “
MGM Gina Gershon as Cristal Connors in ‘Showgirls’
When Molly introduces Nomi to her soon-to-be rival, Cristal (Gina Gershon), Nomi proudly says she dances at The Cheetah, a gentleman’s club.
That’s when Cristal, fresh off headlining a Vegas show, tells Nomi in her signature twang, “I don’t know how good you are, darlin’, and I don’t know what it is you’re good at, but if it’s at The Cheetah, it’s not dancing.”
“I hate you”
MGM
Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone in ‘Showgirls’
Usually, when someone gets you an audition for the show you’ve been pining to be a part of, you don’t tell them you hate them as Nomi does in this infamous scene.
Hey, at least Cristal does Nomi a solid and tells her to wipe her nose.
This iconic pronunciation of Versace
MGM
Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone in ‘Showgirls’
Viewers can’t help but cringe — and maybe have a laugh — when Tony Moss (Alan Rachins) compliments Nomi’s black mid-length dress and she proudly replies, “Thanks! I bought it at Versace,” pronouncing it “Ver-sayce.”
The entire dinner scene between Nomi and Cristal
MGM
Gina Gershon (left) as Cristal Connors and Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone in ‘Showgirls’
Nomi says her go-to meal of brown rice and vegetables tastes worse than dog food — and somehow, that complaint sparks one of her first bonding moments with Cristal.
Instead of trading barbs about being badass or cutthroat, they connect over how they “used to love Doggy Chow,” which really makes this “serious” scene so funny. The exchange has some of the campiest dialogue of the entire movie.
“You shouldn’t get pissed off: It makes you look older”
MGM
Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone in ‘Showgirls’
After Nomi’s tryst with Zack (Kyle MacLachlan) leads to her becoming Cristal’s understudy, Cristal is not pleased.
She tells Nomi, “You don’t want to piss me off, darlin’, now that we’re friends,” to which Nomi replies with a sick burn: “No, you shouldn’t get pissed off. It makes you look older.”
“THRUST IT! THRUST IT!”
MGM
Patrick Bristow as Marty Jacobsen and Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone in ‘Showgirls’
Personal trainers everywhere take note!
This biting insult about nails
MGM Gina Gershon as Cristal Connors in ‘Showgirls’
Cristal is queen of the backhanded compliment. Just when Nomi thinks they are bonding (over Nomi’s ability to do nails), Cristal insults her.
After Nomi offers to do her nails, Cristal acts like she’s considering it and then says, “On second thought, I’m not sure I want you to do mine. Getting a little old for that whore-y look.”
“I’m not a whore!”
MGM
Kyle MacLachlan as Zack Carey and Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone in ‘Showgirls’
Zack corners Nomi with her criminal record, exposing her real name and past prostitution charges.
She shoots back with “I’m not a whore,” before eventually storming out — but not without spitting in Zack’s face, which makes the payoff for this over-the-top dialogue even better.
“There’s always someone younger and hungrier coming down the stairs after you”
MGM
Elizabeth Berkley (left) as Nomi Malone and Gina Gershon as Cristal Connors in ‘Showgirls’
The fact that Nomi literally pushes Cristal down the stairs — and Cristal just wants to make out with her — is proof that this movie is full-on banana-nut-crunch bonkers, but she does drop a word of wisdom (and allude to the whole stair incident) along the way.
“I want my f—— suitcase, a——!”
MGM Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone in ‘Showgirls’
When Nomi leaves Vegas and ends up hitchhiking (again), she runs into the man who stole her suitcase. Nomi pulls a knife and demands that it be returned to her. It’s what we’d call a full-circle moment.
Happy 30th anniversary, Showgirls! May your quotes continue to live on forever.
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