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On Wednesday night at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, a packed house of 1,200 fans made note of how much they appreciated the film and Berkley’s performance all these years later, bringing the actress herself to tears as she launched the screening. .

Although the 1995 film was a total flop when it was released, the Paul Verhoeven-directed film has become a cult classic in the nearly 30 years since, thanks to live video and endless replays – hilariously censored – on VH1.

However, when the film was released, much of the blame for its failure unfortunately fell on the shoulders of star Berkley.

The then 21-year-old actress was a contemporary of his stint as Jesse Spano in a children’s film Saved by the bell and took a significant risk by starring in a film that also required full-frontal nudity, with a director who was extremely popular in Hollywood after the huge success of Fundamental Intuition.

When the film flopped, it was Berkley whose career succeeded – although she bounced back with appearances in The accession of the first wives, Any Sunday, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion and roles in exhibitions along with CSI:Miami, The L phrase and the most recent Saved by the bell restart.

It took a while, but Berkley finally began to reclaim the film’s narrative, most memorably in 2015, during a screening of the film at Cinespia in Hollywood. It’s a mission she’s continued until now.

“Hey dear! Wow, you are all from totally different locations. Thank you so much, my heart is so full tonight,” she said at Wednesday’s screening, after receiving a standing ovation from the packed theater — lots of killer Nomi Malone T-shirts or black leather jackets paying homage to her character.

“I can’t help but respond at this moment when I feel your love and appreciation for this film. It’s hard not to go back to the fall of 1995 when the film was met with so much ridicule and critics wrote so many scathing and personal attacks and my head was handed to me on a national level and my heart wanted to know why, she recalled. “They thought I could just die on a Blockbuster video shelf, but look at us now, baby!”

“I went after this role with all my heart and soul. I called myself a producer, I begged my agent, I did everything I could, just like Nomi would. I ended up with nothing. I did not get any of the individuals who represented me. But I walked through that door and made it happen as if only Nomi could know how, because I knew in my heart and soul that I wanted to play her,” Berkley continued. “I knew I needed to decide this and produce everything that was done. Even though I was surrounded by naysayers – not my family, not my dance teachers – but I knew as soon as I walked into that room, in front of them, that Nomi was mine. I told (director Verhoeven), ‘You don’t need to look any further, I’m Nomi,’ and the rest was history.”

She went on to call the film’s production a “dream come true,” before calling out several fellow dancers and the film’s editor — who was in attendance — for their work on it as well.

“Despite all the violent attacks, and there were many, the absolutely merciless nature of what was allowed then by the press, I was 21, my goals were coming true, and it was a moment in time that may not occur now,” she continued. “Despite this, I will let you know that the moments that stick in my memory are, in fact, every day of the filming of that film; It was pure pleasure.”

She became emotional as she reflected on how much the film has “really been embraced” in the years since its release, her voice breaking as she thanked the queer group especially for their support. “I’m so grateful that the film found its way not only into your hearts, but especially into the LGBTQ community,” she said, as viewers managed to give her a standing ovation again. “You supported the film… You always believed, as did I, and for that I am eternally grateful,” she added.

Comparing her journey to Nomi’s in the film, she said they both found each other through fire.

“She won her Anyway, how I went through this path, from realizing my dream, from criticism, ridicule and humiliation, to discovering what I’m made of, and my soul becomes deeper and richer for appreciating it, and I love you” , Berkley said, before sharing a final anecdote that highlighted how high expectations were for the film before its release.

“Just before the film came out, my dear mother asked my agent at the time – who ended up leaving me on the way, okay – but my mother asked my agent at the time, ‘Do you think she can win an Oscar for this? paper?’” she recalled. “Sharon Stone just became the biggest star in the world and everyone in Hollywood fought for that role, so it wasn’t weird to ask.”

“So tonight, I’d like to thank the Academy… Museum,” she joked. “I want to sincerely thank the Academy Museum, which honors one of the best, most inspiring and most impactful films in popular culture and cinema history, for recognizing this film, like a few years later. It doesn’t matter, the gratitude is there, my heart is full.”

Before answering some questions from viewers, she concluded her speech by saying: “The timeline of life will show you magical things, if you stay open, with an open heart, work hard and spread that love.”