In Hollywood, Gina Gershon has always trusted her gut.
Early in her career, the actress was offered a role in “Friday the 13th Part 2,” one she ultimately passed on after discovering she would be topless. Gershon has a new memoir out, “AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs,” chronicling her rise to stardom and the many famous faces she met along the way.
“I was offered a lead in that movie,” Gershon told Fox News Digital. “And, of course, I was so excited to act in movies, but it definitely felt kind of exploitative to me and a little silly that right before she gets killed, her top has to come off.”
In , Gershon wrote, “At the time, those kinds of slasher movies always had girls dying with their breasts exposed. My character would be killed by a stake through the heart, blood dripping down her t–s. That seemed pretty lame to me: exploitation 101.”
Gershon turned to her father for advice.
“Listen, I was really lucky that I had a father who really taught me how to believe in my own decisions,” she told Fox News Digital. “It wasnt like I had to rebel against my family. I remember asking him about it, thinking he was going to say, No daughter of mine is going to do that! And he said, Its your body. If youre comfortable with it, Im comfortable with it.”
WATCH: GINA GERSHON ON TURNING DOWN FRIDAY THE 13TH ROLE
“When I sat and thought about it, I just thought, I dont really want to do this,” she shared. “I wasnt comfortable with it. It seemed silly to me. Not that I had anything against nudity â I grew up on European films â but only if it makes sense for the character and the story. But when it just seems silly, I dont know. It just felt like it was something that wasnt for me.”
After speaking with her father, Gershon turned down .
“My dad may have died too soon, but he taught me many valuable lessons in the 19 years I had with him,” Gershon wrote. “Mainly, he taught me to trust myself in making my own decisions.”
“This theme of trusting my gut kept showing up in my life,” she added.
Its key advice that stayed with Gershon over the years, including when she starred in 1995s “Showgirls.” The film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, follows the rise and moral unraveling of a young dancer. It also starred “Saved by the Bell” alum Elizabeth Berkley.
WATCH: GINA GERSHON DETAILS HER WILD ENCOUNTERS IN HOLLYWOOD
Gershon admitted in the book that she and Verhoeven fought “constantly” over creative differences involving her character, Cristal Connors.
“I think Paul secretly enjoyed it when we argued about the most mundane things,” she wrote. “Sometimes I suspected he was throwing things out there just to see if he could get a rise out of me. Or maybe not. Maybe it was annoying that I didnt just roll over and do what he asked.Â
“Whatever the case, our battles were becoming exhausting. And let me say this: I liked Paul. A lot! Especially when we werent locked in some game of control. He is a very smart, very interesting guy. A mathematician and theologian. I really enjoyed our chats about religion and philosophy.”
Gershon said they were scheduled to shoot a scene that took place in Cristals dressing room. Thats when she received a surprise.
“I was in the hair and makeup trailer once again, waiting for my team to transform me, when Paul came in and said without any warning, In todays scene, I think it would be good if you showed your vagina,” she wrote. “Whoa, that came out o
