LOS ANGELES, Oct 19 — Mega-flop “Showgirls” might have gained a cult following over the years, but the career of the film’s star Elizabeth Berkley has never recovered.

Now director Paul Verhoeven has issued a public apology to the actress in an interview with NY Daily News, where he admitted that “it was all my fault”.

The film about the sleazy world of naked cabaret in Las Vegas strip clubs is widely considered one of the worst movies of all time, due to nonsensical plots, odd musical numbers, awful acting and incessant nudity.

The Dutch director was quoted as saying, “‘Showgirls’ certainly ruined the career of Elizabeth Berkley in a major way.

“It made my life more difficult, but not to the degree it did Elizabeth’s. Hollywood turned their backs on her.

“If somebody has to be blamed, it should be me because I thought that it was interesting to portray somebody like that.

“I had hoped the end of the movie would explain why she acted that way, when it’s revealed she has convictions linked with drugs, but that too turned out to be a big mistake.”

Berkley’s acting abilities were also pilloried, but Verhoeven took the blame for that too.

“I asked Elizabeth to do all that — to be abrupt and to act in that way, but people have been attacking her about for that ever since,” he added.

Verhoeven also revealed to NY Daily News that Charlize Theron had a lucky escape.

She wanted the lead role, but the director passed because he felt that she was too unknown at the time.

He admitted the decision saved her career.

“Charlize also auditioned, and I don’t recall her having any problem with the nudity at all,” Verhoeven said.

“She was good and wanted the part, but basically she was not well known enough at the time and just did not fit the part, so we said no.

“I have full respect for Charlize, but if she had been offered the part then she would probably have been chewed up in the same way they treated Elizabeth.

“She was very lucky that she did not get the part.

“I wish Charlize congratulations for that because it would have been a miserable 20 years for her!”