It's not every day that a single image can capture the attention of the world, but Sharon Stone has done it once more. The iconic actress, now 66, recently recreated the notorious leg-crossing scene from her 1992 film "Basic Instinct," sending the internet into a frenzy. This time, she wore red lingerie, departing from the all-white ensemble that defined that memorable moment in cinematic history.
Stone's latest post, shared on Instagram, shows her confidently sitting in a wooden chair with one leg draped over the other, accompanied by the cheeky caption, “BASICALLY ….YOURS 😉.” Within moments, the post was flooded with admiration and applause, both from fans and celebrity friends. Kristin Chenoweth commented, “Even more gorgeous [now]!” while Paulina Porizkova exclaimed, “Yes, hot as ‘eff!’”
The original scene from “Basic Instinct” is etched into the annals of film history for its daring and controversial nature. In it, her character, Catherine Tramell, distracts police officers during an interrogation by uncrossing her legs to reveal she isn’t wearing any underwear, a moment that shocked audiences and left an indelible mark on popular culture.
The cinematic masterpiece, directed by Paul Verhoeven, not only brought Stone to prominence but also sparked debates due to its explicit content. Despite the scandal, it grossed over $300 million globally and won Stone her first Golden Globe nomination. Nevertheless, the creation of the scene was fraught with tension. Stone revealed in her 2021 memoir, “The Beauty of Living Twice,” that she felt blindsided by the nudity. “That was how I saw my virgin-shot for the first time, long after 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,’” she wrote.
Upon seeing the unedited scene for the first time, Stone was so taken aback that she went to the projection booth and slapped Verhoeven. “Of course, he vehemently denied that I had any choices at all. I was just an actress, just a woman; what choices could I have?” she added in her memoir. Although Verhoeven has consistently denied her claims, stating that Stone knew exactly what was being filmed, Stone eventually chose to allow the scene's inclusion, believing it was essential for the film and her character.
Besides her recent Instagram buzz, Stone has demonstrated an unwavering charisma and unapologetic boldness in various ways. Not long ago, she shared a photo of herself painting topless, captioned, “Sometimes I just have to go from pool to painting 😉.” This candidness has drawn praise from fans who see her as a beacon of empowerment.
However, life hasn’t always been glamorous for Stone. In a deeply personal interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she disclosed significant financial and health challenges. A severe stroke left her with considerable brain damage and unable to work, depleting her $18 million fortune due to poor management during her recovery. Yet, Stone’s resilience shone through, as she climbed back up, showing age and adversity are no match for her indomitable spirit.
Many social media users heralded Stone’s recent post as a testament to embracing aging with grace and pride. One fan marveled, “women of a certain age bold and daring. 👏👏.” Another remarked, “Amazing picture, iconic mamma just owning herself, True empowerment. Beautiful.” For Sharon Stone, it seems, being provocative is not just about pushing boundaries but also about asserting one's right to self-expression, regardless of age or societal norms.
As Stone continues to captivate audiences, it’s clear her legacy extends beyond a single scene or role. Whether revisiting the controversial past or showcasing current vivacity, Stone reminds us that legends aren’t born; they’re made moment by moment, choice by daring choice. And, as she’s shown, sometimes all it takes is an audacious leg-cross to make history once again.
