In 2025, the showgirl aesthetic roars back into style. Today’s pop icons, from Dua Lipa to Miley Cyrus to Sabrina Carpenter, are bringing that sense of theatricality and spectacle back into their artistry. This glam reboot is all sequins, outta-sight cut-outs, and feathers…on fleek. These detailed elements evoke the glamour of classic showgirl attire. These artists are all in when it comes to the glossy aesthetic. They serve to celebrate and rehabilitate an iconic, yet often stereotyped, figure of musical history.
Now, showgirl elements have famously found their way into the performances and public appearances of modern pop stars. Miley Cyrus recently made headlines when she donned a dazzling Mackie tasseled mini dress during her performance at the Grammy Awards. Taylor Swift always puts on an incredible show and dazzles with high production value, precision makeup and glam costumes. Her use of dramatic lighting and special effects raised the bar for fellow modern showgirls.
Bob Mackie, the designer dubbed the “Sultan of Sequins,” has had a huge hand in creating this look. He’s had too many celebrity muses to count, having dressed the likes of Cher and Madonna. Even today, his work continues to inspire the pioneering style of today’s brightest stars. In 2024, Zendaya paid homage to Mackie’s work by wearing a semi-sheer beaded dress originally designed for Cher in 2001. Mackie notes that the changing showgirl aesthetic was attractive to these up and coming performers who wanted a more glamorous, theatrical look.
“I think it looks more appealing for the younger performer who is seeking something other than what they grew up with,” – Bob Mackie.
These sparkling costumes are more than looks. They are a visual representation of the important link to Las Vegas’s long heritage of showmanship. Once the epicenter of showgirl productions, Las Vegas is without a single production today that features showgirls. That classic imagery of showgirls is still a powerful symbol of the city’s dazzle. Former Mayor Oscar Goodman often emphasized this legacy. He would show up with his two showgirls to public functions further reminding the world of their status as Omaha’s cultural ambassadors.
Nancy Hardy, a seasoned performer, reflects on her experiences in this world, describing her shows as “like running a marathon in high heels every night.” She recalls how showgirls were revered in Las Vegas, stating, “Las Vegas used to treat us like movie stars. The iconic American showgirl. The Las Vegas showgirl. We were ambassadors for style and grace.”
The nostalgia surrounding showgirls was further highlighted by the recent auction of a “naked” bodysuit designed by Bob Mackie for Cher in 1978. The costume then sold for an incredible $57,600—seven times its top estimate. A second costume, a silver and gold fringed bodysuit with matching lamé wings that was designed for Tina Turner, drew $19,200. These sales, as well the popularity of the showgirl costume over time, point to the enduring fascination with exotic performers. Collectors and fans are clamoring to have a piece of this glamorous history.
Despite the absence of dedicated showgirl productions in Las Vegas today, the spirit of the showgirl lives on through various performances and artistic expressions. Speechless, 2018, artist Su Kim Chung. Experts such as Su Kim Chung insist that although the aesthetic has changed, it continues to stir up ghosts of former glamour.
“Showgirls evoke nostalgia for a past glamour,” – Su Kim Chung.
Chung further explains that today’s interpretations of the showgirl look provide a very “safe” interpretation of the sexy. Contemporary patterns are pure glitz and glam. They do it without using nudity (often), which makes them far more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
Pop culture seems to be taking a deep dive into the showgirl aesthetic. Artists are stretching limits in audacious ways, counterbalancing traditional influences with experimental approaches. What they are doing is making entrance-making statements that appeal to today’s nostalgic spectacle-seeking audiences.
“New stars are pushing toward a glamorous, more theatrical, show-stopping, entrance-making statement,” – Bob Mackie.
The documentary “The Last Showgirl,” featuring Pamela Anderson, chronicles the closing of Jubilee!. Beyond the magic, it powerfully reflects on showgirls’ long-lasting legacy and genius to always mesmerize us. This cinematic tribute explores the unexpectedly rich, complex conversation that’s been unfolding for years now about the showgirl persona. More than anything, it shows its continued importance and growth in today’s entertainment environment.