I admit, I did not think Pamela Anderson was going to be around for the awards circuit with The Last Showgirl after the Golden Globes. But boy have I been proven wrong, in the best way possible! (Full disclosure: I haven’t seen the movie yet, but am hoping to this weekend. Perhaps when I have a gaping hole in my schedule on Monday the 20th at 12pm ET). Still, I’m happy to root for Pam based on the soulful journey she’s been on and shared with us the last few years. While it might appear on the surface that Pam has done a rebrand — going from the buxom, painted-for-the-gods bombshell of the 90s to a makeup-free, meditating, gardening, growing-her-own-vegetables free spirit today (and still a bombshell!) — by Pam’s account, it’s all been about returning to who she’s always been. In a new interview with USA Today, Pam described having to “remember who I was” before Hollywood ascribed a certain type to her:
On why she ‘peeled it all back’: I’ve learned that you have to believe in yourself before other people believe in you. I started to believe what other people thought and that’s why I peeled it all back: I wanted to remember who I was when I wasn’t dressing for other people. I wanted to stop playing characters in my personal life, and to start playing them on film or on stage. It’s interesting, at this age, to feel like I’m at the very beginning of my career.
What she connected to in her Last Showgirl role: You can go to therapy or talk to your best friend all day long, but there’s nothing like an art project to heal parts of yourself. I just had so much empathy for the character; there’s no perfect way to be a parent, you know? The mother-daughter story really resonated with me, having two adult sons now and apologizing (to them). Your kids are going through what you’re going through, and in the moment, we don’t realize that. So I’ve been able to have those conversations with my boys and we’re so close. Having their mother objectified was always a difficult thing, so I’ve really made an effort to talk about feelings with my sons.
More on her sons: I’m a very lucky mom, but I’ve always felt a little guilty that they feel so protective of me. I wish our family survived intact; I’ve never gotten over it, and that’s something I’ve carried with me. Even now, my relationship is my work. I have two grown, beautiful kids who say, “Mom, all we want for you is to be you and realize your potential.” And that’s exactly how I feel for them. I don’t want to take up too much of their brain power. I want them to live their own lives: full of ups and downs, mistakes, and whatever they’re going to do in their careers, and not to worry about Mom.
She did it her way: Well, I definitely did it my own way; I took an unorthodox route to get here. I did endure some times where however I handled it was probably not the best way. But I feel very fortunate to be in this position now, it could have just as easily slipped through my fingers. You just have to recognize the moment you’re being handed. You have to get quiet and wait for what’s coming around the corner. And then when the opportunity comes, you grab it.
Vanity is a prison, and she’s free now! Vanity is a prison. This has been such a free time for me to walk around as I am. No one’s falling over backward going, “Oh, no, I can’t look at that! She’s not wearing any makeup!” Nobody cares! We all care so much about ourselves — we’re our own worst critics, for sure.
The full interview is really charming. Elsewhere Pam talks about reciting Shakespeare sonnets as a kid while her father watched TV, reading heavy Tennessee Williams and Eugene O’Neill plays during her Baywatch and Playboy cover days, and visiting a tree she “adopted” in NYC’s Central Park in honor of her sons. And speaking of, I found the sections about her relationship with her sons the most moving. She’s clearly raised emotionally intelligent boys (their shock at their mother attending Paris Fashion Week sans glam team notwithstanding, lol), and it sounds like the three of them are very close. And though she’s mainly makeup-free these days, I think she looks more glowing than ever. The comment that she feels like she’s at the beginning of her career had me choked up, too. It’s never too late! I also found this line super intriguing: “You have to get quiet and wait for what’s coming around the corner.” What’s the difference between getting quiet and… just not doing anything? Tell us, Pamela! (Asking for a friend.)
photos credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon, Al Seib/Avalon, Avalon.red Getty
This past summer Pamela was on the cover of French Elle without makeup and the photo was so, so gorgeous:
https://www.thefashionspot.com/forum-buzz/886486-pamela-anderson-goes-makeup-free-on-the-tres-chic-cover-of-elle-france/amp/
Also I think it’s really nice when people let their freckles glow!
GORGEOUS!!!
Her actors on actors interview about the role was so touching and she seemed like the sweetest soul. I’m rooting for her to get some great roles!
I’m rooting for her. I think the “getting quiet” means “shut up and listen.” That’s not about silencing one’s voice – it’s about settling back from the screaming, crying and throwing up in your brain and taking the time to look around.
I’ve always been a fan. Her Netflix documentary was really good.
There has always been something about Pamela that said there’s something more about her to me. It’s great to see her not only survive, but thrive! I haven’t seen The Last Showgirl yet, but the trailer looks good and I love reading her interviews lately.
I love this Pamela Anderson renaissance of her career. She was treated like a cartoon character in the late 80s and 90’s.
I am so rooting for an Oscar nomination for her. Though I think it’s the year of Demi Moore. But I hope at the least she gets a nom.
Saw the movie last week and Pamela is dazzling in it…it was really good and if Pamela does not win the SAG award I don’t know what the actors are thinking anymore…
I saw the film a few weeks ago and I honestly feel so conflicted. I love Pam, I absolutely root for her to have every happiness in life. She’s been through so much and been treated so badly by the industry and the media.
But I just don’t think she can act. I don’t think she has any natural acting ability or talent, and she hasn’t ever shown any commitment to the craft of acting. Her roles on Baywatch and Barb Wire were essentially modelling jobs with a bit of dialogue, not acting roles. She had the resources to go to drama school and seriously commit to learning the craft of acting.
I liked the film but the director really bends over backwards to construct a performance from her, that doesn’t (except in one scene at the end) challenge her as an actor. She’s propped up a lot by the supporting cast. But the supporting cast are SO good, have such evident natural talent (especially Jamie Lee Curtis, who is astonishing especially in the dance machine scene, and Billie Lourd) it just shows up that PA simply doesn’t have innate talent.
I really do wish her well but I resent this idea that people deserve Oscars just because they’ve been through a rough time. It should be about nothing except someone’s talent and the quality of their performance.
I saw the movie last week. Both Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis were fearless. As a woman of a similar age, this really resonated with the journey. Someone else mentioned they felt Pamela can’t act. While opinions are subjective, I very much disagree. It was crazy good. I heard her next movie is a “Naked Gun” remake. While disappointing, a girl’s got to make a living. It sounds like everyone made money on Pamela except Pamela.
Love her. Always have.
What a great sentiment from her sons. I’m guessing, but they are thoughtful and considerate of her because of her parenting (no thanks go to Tommy).
All that make up she used to wear and this is what we were missing out on the whole time. She is so naturally pretty.