Pamela Anderson reflects on The Last Showgirl and finding glamour that’s free of pain

Author: John Casey

Pamela Anderson has spent a lifetime in the limelight, and some of that hasn’t reflected her in the most positive light; however, thankfully, she’s a long way from those rough-and-tumble days. For almost 30 years, her name has been synonymous with glamour, beauty, and pop culture iconography.

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Now, with her latest film, The Last Showgirl, Anderson has stepped into a new era of her career. It’s one defined not by the past but by the sheer force of her artistic reinvention. The New York Times called her performance in the film “dazzling.”

When I first spoke to her a couple of years ago after her hit — and revelatory — Netflix documentary, I found her to be funny, personable, kind, and very intelligent. She spoke to me while taking a long bath, and much like you feel after lounging in the tub, I hung up from her refreshed, warm, and happy. Out of the interviews I’ve done, it continues to be one of my favorites.

For years, Anderson struggled to be taken seriously as an actress. Now, with The Last Showgirl, directed by the visionary Gia Coppola, Anderson has shattered any lingering doubts.

The film, a quiet, poetic meditation on reinvention and resilience, has captivated audiences and critics alike. At its heart is Anderson’s deeply nuanced performance as Shelly, a former Vegas showgirl reckoning with the ghosts of her past while searching for something real in a world of illusions.

“The ending is obscure for a beautiful reason,” Anderson told me, her voice full of reverence for the storytelling. “It lingers with you, like a song whose lyrics aren’t spelled out or explained. Everyone, whether it’s the audience, the writer, the director, me, or the other actors, will have their own interpretation. That’s the genius of Gia’s depiction. Our own experiences color the ending, and that’s what makes it so powerful.”

The film’s success has ushered in an awards season buzz that Anderson has never quite experienced before. Critics have called her performance a revelation, and she has already been nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance at the Gotham Awards and Actress in a Drama Motion Picture at the Golden Globes. And, maybe even more impressive, Best Actress nominee for a SAG Award — recognition from an industry that is finally taking her seriously.

Anderson greets it all with a sincere level of humility. “I just hope people can see past the nonsense and recognize what Gia Coppola saw in me, and that is a woman bursting at the seams, eager to express herself artistically,” she said. “I needed a project like this, something raw and authentic, something that wasn’t about trickery but about truth.”

Anderson’s castmates in The Last Showgirl, including Jamie Lee Curtis as well as Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Billie Lourd, and Dave Bautista, have spoken glowingly about the camaraderie they built on set.

“All my costars on this film quickly became family,” Anderson relayed. “We will forever share an intimate bond. We truly impacted each other and made each other better. I fell in love with Jamie, Kiernan, Brenda, Billie, and Dave. They will always hold a tender place in my heart.”

For Anderson, The Last Showgirl represents more than just a career shift. It’s a return to the kind of storytelling that first inspired her.

“There’s no violence, no exploitation, just a story about a woman, and that’s enough,” she reflected. “Every woman is a movie all on her own. And I’m thrilled that people are returning to the romantic theater experience. In a world that can be so harsh, we need simple, human stories told with a pure heart and a shared collective soul.”

Despite her remarkable success, Anderson is keenly aware of the ways in which public perception has shaped her career. “Being a part of pop culture comes with its blessings, but it also means you start at a deficit when trying to transform and disappear into a role,” she said. “It takes tremendous focus, a little magic, and a lot of hard work.”

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Her journey has been anything but conventional. From her meteoric rise as the star of Baywatch, where she donned the famous red swimsuit that turned her into a global sensation, to her advocacy for animal rights and LGBTQ+ rights, and the candid memoir that peeled back the layers of her personal life, Anderson has always been more than what the world expected.

In 2023, she was in the headlines again for her beauty. She started appearing in public without makeup. She stopped wearing makeup partly out of respect for her makeup artist, who died of breast cancer last year.

She credits her relentless curiosity and work ethic for propelling her forward. She said they are her favorite things about herself.

“I hope this is just the beginning of my career. I’m like a sponge, absorbing everything I can. My pockets are full, and I want to see what I’m made of.”

Anderson’s aspirations extend beyond acting. She’s deeply interested in collaborating with some of her longtime inspirations, including Debra Winger, Faye Dunaway, and Shirley MacLaine. And when it comes to directors, she’s fascinated by emerging talents like Julio Torres. “I just had lunch with Julio while in New York, and he really interests me. He’s so young and talented. He reminds me of David LaChapelle in a way, who I love dearly.”

Despite the whirlwind of awards season and critical acclaim, Anderson remains grounded in the things that bring her true peace. She returns home to Vancouver Island after traveling; she finds solace in simple rituals. “I hug and kiss my dogs. Feed my sourdough starter. I always unpack before I can sleep,” she shared. “I light a tea candle at my little makeshift altar, and in humble gratitude, I pray. It helps me feel less helpless. I send love and good vibes out into the universe. It’s where we connect — in our humanness, in our flaws, in our forgiveness.”

And she immerses herself in that bathtub, reveling in the warmth and comfort and indulging in the quiet peacefulness of her life that keeps her true to her authentic self.

With The Last Showgirl, Pamela Anderson has done more than redefine her career — she has reminded the world of her depth, her artistry, and her undeniable resilience. And as she steps forward into this new chapter, one thing is certain: She’s just getting started.

When I last spoke to her, Anderson told me that she felt like she’s been a bit of a misfit all her life. “I had a misunderstood childhood. And then there’s all the glamour and over-the-top things I did to get noticed, the big hair, the extra eyeliner; however, all that glamour comes with pain.”

For now, at least, Anderson is experiencing a different kind of glamour — and one without pain.

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: John Casey