Quotes

Ever since those reviews for Showgirls (1995), it's like I was that woman in "The Scarlet Letter". Except that instead of having to wear the letter "A" for adulteress, I was condemned to wear an "S" for "showgirl".

[on making Roger Dodger (2002)] I really loved it. On the set, it was like being part of a real family. Everybody was there because they wanted to be and not because of some paycheck - there were no dressing rooms or big trailers; you'd get ready in a bathroom. Here's this $2-million movie that could have gone nowhere or everywhere. But it's one of the most special experiences that I've ever had. I want more similar experiences. I'm not "Showgirl" - that's the point!

The First Wives Club (1996) gave me a certain level of confidence. Because I was working with these three women - Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton - who as women have been through every high and low. Goldie especially took me under her wing and was really supportive. She told me, "I don't like the way you were directed in that movie [Showgirls (1995)], but there's something there that you can't deny. So you just keep doing what you're doing and someone will get it, and someone will show the real you, and not just some idea of you".

[on working with high-profile directors] I'm very grateful, because a lot of actors would kill to work with any one of them. It's been a very conscious choice on my part to work with the best - even if it was taking a small supporting role. After Showgirls (1995), I really wanted to surround myself with the best people. I wanted to build it that way instead of doing flashy roles just like "Showgirls", which would have hurt me.

[11/23/05] The first thing I want to say is that I think that Threshold (2005) is one of the best new shows out there, which is one of the reasons I wanted to join this amazing cast. Barbara Nance, the writer of this episode, created an incredible, strong female character who I knew I would have a lot of fun playing. There are fight scenes, there is glamor, and there's this fun cat-and-mouse game between me and Brian Van Holt, who plays Cavennaugh. All the dynamics were in place. But what was fun was when Carla called me not knowing that they had offered it, and even though we only have a couple of scenes together, we were both so excited. Across the board, the cast is amazing. The only other guest spots I've done in the last couple of years were on shows that were already established, like Without a Trace (2002) and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) and NYPD Blue (1993), so it was fun to be a part of something from the beginning.

[about Lauren Hutton, in "Style Makeover", Volume 13, Number 9, Fall 2006] Women shine when they are at their most natural, and Lauren Hutton has a certain timelessness I admire. She knows what works for her.

Not only am I grateful for my family, but there's a real love I have for growing up Jewish, and where I grew up, because there's a foundation that it's given me in these crazy kind of worlds that I might come across.

[on Showgirls (1995), shortly before its release] First of all, to portray this woman any other way would be a lie. This is what she does. I mean, my feeling is sexuality, people who have a problem with it are living in shame, so that's their problem. All I know is that this will help people feel more free about themselves, I think, and, um, I see nothing harmful in it. It's a wonderful message about going after what you want.

[on her role in Showgirls (1995), shortly before its release] I knew I had to play this role. No question. The minute I read it. I read it, and I couldn't put it down. And I didn't stop talking about it.

[on her role in New Girl (2011)] I love new adventures. Such a thrill still to pull up to a Hollywood studio. I'm always grateful. And happy I'm not jaded. I've seen it all. Been through it all and I can honestly say.... I still love it.

Showgirls is a throwback to movies in the 40s while combining Bob Fosse and a twist of the Marquis de Sade.

When a dream is happening, it's unlike anything you can ever imagine. Which is why when the movie came out it was more painful than anything you can imagine. I'm not going to spend a lot of time on that moment, because why do that? We don't live in the past. I'm just bringing it up for a point to tell you that 1995 was such a different time, where taking risks like that were not embraced. They were laughed at, they were shamed, publicly. To be a young girl in the center of that was something that was quite difficult. But I found my own resiliency and my power and my confidence.

[on Showgirls (1995)] I knew it was just going to take that one person to say, 'I believe in her and this is who I want,' and that happened with Paul. I had read the script and was immediately passionate about both it and the character.

[Showgirls nudity damaging her career] No one associated with the film spoke up on my behalf to protect me. I was left out in the cold and I was a pariah in the industry I had worked so hard for.