Thirty-two years after the release of “Basic Instinct,” Sharon Stone has revisited the iconic and controversial scene that catapulted her to fame. The moment in question is the infamous interrogation scene where Stone’s character, Catherine Tramell, uncrosses her legs, revealing she is not wearing underwear. Stone has previously expressed that she felt tricked into filming the scene, stating, “I’d been told, ‘We can’t see anything—I just need you to remove your panties, as the white is reflecting the light, so we know you have panties on.’” However, upon seeing the final cut, she realized that was not the case.
Director Paul Verhoeven has denied any deception, but the scene had a significant impact on Stone’s career. She has said it negatively affected her professional life and even contributed to her losing custody of her child in 2004 due to the assumptions created by her brief nudity in the film. Over the years, Stone’s perspective on the scene has softened. Last year, she described it as tame compared to today’s standards, noting, “People are walking around with no clothes on at all on regular TV now.”
This week, Stone took to Instagram to recreate the iconic pose from the scene, this time wearing red lingerie instead of the original white suit. She captioned the photo, “BASICALLY ….YOURS,” and the post quickly garnered thousands of comments. Fans and celebrities alike praised her for the nostalgic shoutout and her stunning appearance. Fellow actress Kristin Chenoweth commented, “Even more gorgeous [now]!” while Paulina Porizkova added, “Yes, hot as ‘eff!’”
Stone has revisited elements of the scene in the past, posing for InStyle’s “Confidence Issue” and Air Mail in photos that referenced the famous moment. Despite the controversy, the role in “Basic Instinct” earned her a Golden Globe nomination and solidified her status as a Hollywood icon.
In her memoir, “The Beauty of Living Twice,” Stone detailed her reaction to discovering the full extent of the scene during a preview. She described how she slapped director Paul Verhoeven in fury and walked out, feeling betrayed by his assurances. Verhoeven, however, has consistently dismissed her claims, stating, “Any actress knows what she’s going to see if you ask her to take off her underwear and point there with the camera.”
Despite the initial shock and anger, Stone has no regrets about making the film. She once quipped, “Regrets are like farts, you can’t get them back. Once they’re out, there’s stinky and gone.” Her recent Instagram post is a testament to her enduring confidence and willingness to embrace her past.
Stone’s career has been marked by highs and lows, including a near-fatal stroke in 2001 that left her unable to work for years. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she revealed that the $18 million she had saved over her career evaporated during her recovery. She attributed the loss to people around her who mismanaged her money while she struggled to regain basic functions, such as the ability to read.
The stroke had severe effects on her brain, causing her to lose her sense of smell, sight, and touch temporarily. It took her seven years to mostly recover, and she described the surreal feeling of having little to her name once she was competent enough to take over her finances. “My refrigerator, my phone—everything was in other people’s names,” she revealed. “I had zero money.”
Despite these challenges, Stone has remained resilient. She has continued to work in the industry and has not shied away from showing off her figure. Just a few days ago, she shared a photo of herself painting without a top on, captioning it, “Sometimes I just have to go from pool to painting 🥰.” This followed other posts where she posed in bikinis and without a top, demonstrating her unashamed confidence.
Stone’s recreation of the “Basic Instinct” scene is a powerful statement of owning her past and embracing her present. It serves as a reminder of her enduring impact on Hollywood and her ability to turn controversy into empowerment. As she continues to navigate her career and personal life, Stone remains a symbol of resilience and confidence.
Source: Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Instagram
