Who knew a 90s TV icon could turn heads at Paris Fashion Week?
Elizabeth Berkley, the former Saved by the Bell star, stunned the crowd in a daring all‑black look that left many wondering: is she reinventing herself or just playing a role?
At 53, the actress stepped onto the Mugler Spring/Summer 2026 runway in a plunging button‑down jacket with a deep V‑neck, matched by a matching skirt that featured twin thigh‑high slits. She paired the ensemble with sheer front‑seam tights that showcased her toned legs, mesh gloves, strappy heels, a single long dangling silver earring, and a classic handbag. The result? An edgy yet polished vibe that screamed confidence.
The show itself was a love letter to retro cinema, drawing inspiration from the cult‑classic 1995 film Showgirls – a film that once cast a shadow over Berkley’s career. She was front‑row, hand in hand with her husband of 22 years, Greg Lauren, whose father is the legendary Ralph Lauren.
Berkley’s journey from the high school halls of Saved by the Bell to the silver screen is a tale of highs and lows. She famously portrayed Jessie Spano, the overachieving student whose caffeine pill breakdown became an internet meme. When asked about that moment, she told Entertainment Weekly, “Trust me, I’m the first person to laugh at it too, but let’s not forget these are very real situations.”
Her role in Showgirls as Nomi Malone was a turning point. She later appeared in The First Wives Club alongside Goldie Hawn. Since the 90s, she’s kept her presence alive with guest spots on New Girl and Cobra Kai, and even reprised her Saved by the Bell character in the 2020 reboot with Mark‑Paul Gosselaar.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Berkley has openly spoken about how Showgirls changed her life. In an interview with People, she said, “It changed me… It was a life moment, and I cannot help but say I would be a different person had I not gone through the depths of what it taught me.” She also recalled the cruelty she faced: “I was bullied. And I didn’t understand why I was being blamed. The job as an actor is to fulfill the vision of the director. And I did everything I was supposed to do.” She felt abandoned by the industry, describing herself as a pariah after the film’s release.
Now, she’s set to appear in a recurring role on the upcoming legal drama All’s Fair, starring Kim Kardashian and Naomi Watts, slated for November
