Originally published on 10/3/25

Taylor Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl is officially out, and while it does prove the Grammy award winning singer-songwriter is in fact a showgirl, it also showcases how in love she really is with her now fiancé Travis Kelce. To celebrate that, we have rounded up our five favorite fictional showgirls. From Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Hot, these movies are must-watches.

Holly Golightly in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’

Based on the Truman Capote novel of the same name, Breakfast at Tiffany’s follows socialite and performer Holly Golightly (Hepburn) as she falls in love with a writer named Paul Varjack (George Peppard). It’s set in New York City and is the epitome of the glamor life of being a classic showgirl. 

“It’s the story of a girl who liked to grab a doughnut and walk through Tiffany’s famous jewelry store while eating,” Hepburn told The Charlotte News in 1961. “How could anything happen to a girl there?”

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. 

Lorelei Lee in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ 

When you think of showgirls, Marilyn Monroe most likely comes to mind, especially when it’s her performance as Lorelei Lee in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The plot follows Loreli after she decides to go on a cruise with Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell), all while being followed by a private detective who hopes to catch her engaging in scandalous acts. 

“She [Monroe] worked very hard, always knew her lines and was absolutely determined to get ahead,” Russell once said, per INSP. “[She was] very shy and very sweet and far more intelligent than people gave her credit for.” 

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. 

Norma Desmon in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ 

Norma Desmon (Gloria Swanson) is the blueprint for what showgirls on screen really are. In the classic 1950 movie, silent film star Desmon refuses  to believe her career is over, so she hires a screenwriter to help set up a comeback. But when things turn violent, Norma finds herself living a life she only thought existed on screen. 

“I had a huge specter in the spotlight with me,” Swanson wrote of the film, per Vanity Fair. “She was about ten feet tall and her name was Norma Desmond.”

Sunset Boulevard is available to stream on AppleTV+. 

Vicki Gay in ‘Party Girl’

Showgirls are often party girls, making the 1958 film Party Girl perfect for this roundup. The plot follows a lawyer named Thomas Farrell (Robert Taylor)  after he falls in love with a dancer named Vicki Gaye (Cyd Charisse). But when Vicki gets kidnapped, things, take a turn for the worst.

Party Girl is available to stream on Hulu.

Sugar Kane Kowalczyk in ‘Some Like It Hot’

One again, Monroe shines as a showgirl in this 1959 hit, that was definitely ahead of its time. In it, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) disguise themselves as women to escape Chicago after witnessing a murder. While doing that they met a singer named Sugar (Monroe), and thats when the fun really begins.

Some Like It Hot is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Lola Lola in ‘The Blue Angel’

The era of showgirls really began in the 1920s and 1930s, which is evident based on the character Lola Lola (Marlene Dietrich) in the 1930 film The Blue Angel. In it professor Immanuel Rath (Emil Jannings) attempts to follow his student to a jazz club, only to find himself falling for the lead performer Lola Lola.

The Blue Angel is available on Roku.

Charity Hope Valentine in ‘Sweet Charity’

Actress Shirley MacLaine is truly one of the original showgirls, making her role as Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity perfect for this roundup. In the film, Charity enters into a relationship with a high profile actor named Vittorio Vidal (Ricardo Montalban), but it doesn’t work out. Enter Oscar Lindquist (John McMartin), who somehow might just be her perfect match.

Sweet Charity is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. 

Julie Laverne in ‘Show Boat’

This 1951 film follows Julie Laverne (Ava Gardner) after she is forced to leave her show on a Mississippi river boat. Following her departure, Magnolia (Kathryn Grayson), only to quickly be swept off her feet. Will the ship ever be able to find it’s lead singer and will Magnolia manage to keep with her gambling addicted husband? A fun and fresh tale filled with love and heart.

Show Boat is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. 

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/best-movie-showgirls