Nomi finds herself clawing and scratching to get to the top. She begins as a stripper in a Vegas club, and catches the eye of the lead showgirl Cristal at the legitimate revue at the Stardust. Cristal brings Nomi in for an audition as one of the chorus dancer. Their lives become entangled when Nomi is ultimately cast as Cristal's understudy, and Cristal for the first time in eight years has to miss a performance.

Showgirls was the first film to receive a NC17 rating since Henry and June. It was panned critically, did not recoup its production costs, and its star Elizabeth Berkley did not work again until she was cast in a supporting role in The First Wives Club.

1. "There's always someone younger and hungrier coming down the stairs after you." - Cristal, IMDb
2. "It's amazing what paint and a surgeon can do." - Cristal, IMDb
3. "You lose all of your money, honey? Do you wanna make some more? It won't take you any longer than 15 minutes. Sooner or later you're gonna have to sell it." - Casino Lecher, IMDb