As a longtime admirer of Pamela Anderson, I have to say that her journey from reality television stardom to critically acclaimed actress is nothing short of inspiring. It’s clear that she’s been underestimated by many for far too long, but she’s proving them all wrong with every new role she takes on.
15 years ago, it would have seemed like a jest to suggest that Pamela Anderson could garner Academy Award attention. However, in 2024, this very scenario is unfolding after the world premiere of her film, “The Last Showgirl,” at the Toronto International Film Festival. The buzz surrounding this potential award contender and her leading role in the upcoming “The Naked Gun” sequel featuring Liam Neeson, slated for release in summer 2025, mark a shift in Anderson’s career trajectory. Known as a global icon for more than three decades, Anderson has frequently been dismissed as a sex symbol, with many critics and audiences failing to take her seriously. Now, it appears she is stepping into a new phase of her career.
Beginning in 2022, Pamela Anderson embarked on a fresh phase of her career with her Broadway debut in “Chicago.” In 2023, she unveiled a Netflix documentary and penned a memoir, offering fans and critics an unprecedented glimpse into her life. Now, in 2024, her acclaimed performance has earned potential award recognition, and she’s gearing up for 2025 with renewed vigor. In just two years, we’ve witnessed the resurgence of star Pamela Anderson – a renaissance that could be aptly named the “Pamela Andersonnaissance.
Given that actors such as Matthew McConaughey, Adam Sandler, and Brendan Fraser have experienced successful comebacks, moving from being criticized to praised by the critical community, it’s plausible for Anderson to experience a similar resurgence in her career. Through defying critics and continuously reinventing herself, Anderson has crafted a distinctive and underappreciated body of work.
Anderson Has Slowly Been Reinventing Herself
In 2022, Pamela Anderson stepped onto the Broadway stage for the first time in a new production of “Chicago,” taking on the main role of Roxie Hart. This was her return to acting since 2019 and represented quite a change from what people often connected her with. Prior to this, Anderson was widely recognized for her part in the 1990s hit series “Baywatch.” Over the years, she transitioned from being primarily an actress into more of a media figure, appearing as herself in various projects such as “Scooby-Doo” (2002), “Borat,” and reality shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and her own “Comedy Central Roast.
Anderson demonstrated courage and determination by diving headfirst into one of Broadway’s most famous musicals, despite lacking prior singing or dance experience. She bravely tackled the role between April 12, 2022, and June 5, 2022, earning applause from spectators and a standing ovation on her opening night.
The critical response to her performance was more mixed from a technical standpoint, with The Guardian’s Adrian Horton saying, “[Anderson’s] voice is feathery and soft, at times difficult to hear even in the orchestra.” She did positively comment on Anderson’s take on Roxie Hart, saying “With her glittery side pout and exaggerated smirks – her face took on the most hyperbolic vaudeville mugs like wax puddy, and I mean that in a good way – Anderson appeared to be both playing the floozy and poking fun at her own image at the same time.” Meanwhile, The New York Post’s Johnny Oleksinski said, “I can now attest that the actress and ‘Baywatch’ babe moves confidently, carries a tune and, you know, all that jazz.”
In the past three years, Anderson’s first acting role and the beginning of a fresh decade demonstrated her eagerness to acquire new skills and seize opportunities. Yet, she expressed a desire to alter public perception as well. To achieve this, in 2023, she published a best-selling memoir titled “Love, Pamela” along with a Netflix documentary named “Pamela: A Love Story.” These dual releases offered viewers a more intimate glimpse of Anderson, revealing aspects that had previously been part of her carefully constructed persona.
How The Last Showgirl and Chicago Play Into Anderson’s Star Image
In this fresh phase of her professional life, Anderson’s two major projects – her role in “Chicago” and “The Last Showgirl” – appear to strike a chord with her because they seem to hold some personal significance. As an observer, it’s hard not to incorporate one’s understanding of Anderson’s career history into these performances and discern a connection.
In the city of Chicago, Anderson portrays Roxie Hart, a housewife aspiring to become a vaudeville performer who finds herself in jail for murder and becomes a tabloid sensation as she and her attorney work to reshape her public image. On April 5, 2022, only a week before Anderson’s Broadway debut, she appeared on The View and discussed her connection to the character of Roxie Hart in Chicago, stating “Indeed, this role is deeply rooted in my personal experiences, from its inception to the present day. The media can be wielded as a weapon; it can be used constructively. It’s an incredibly potent tool.
Anderson isn’t new to the limelight, having been frequently featured in gossip magazines. Following her debut as a Playboy Model, she landed roles in the first two seasons of ABC’s Home Improvement, which eventually led to her becoming a household name playing Casey Jean “C.J.” Parker on Baywatch. The 1990s saw Anderson as one of its most iconic sex symbols, thus making her a frequent topic of tabloid discussions.
1995 marked a difficult period for Anderson when an intimate video featuring her and then-husband Tommy Lee was stolen from their home and disseminated online. This meant one of her most personal moments was witnessed by millions without her approval, subjecting her to numerous sexist jokes intended to belittle her, with the aim of shaming her for her sexuality.
The Last Showgirl Is a Complex Role for a Complex Performer
After that point, Anderson’s life has drawn intense public attention, encompassing her relationships, charities, and beliefs. For over four decades, her physical appearance has been both scrutinized and objectified. Simultaneously, she has maintained a contentious friendship with hacker Julian Assange, is rumored to be friendly with Russian president Vladimir Putin, and has made comments perceived as controversial regarding the #MeToo movement, implying that some victims might bear partial responsibility.
Pamela Anderson is both an individual and a public image, one that she has embraced yet sometimes struggled with. Often categorized as the typical “blonde bombshell” sex symbol, she is also known for expressing her opinions and supporting charitable causes. Anderson has been a controversial figure in the public eye, which makes her an intriguing fit for the role of Chicago.
In “The Last Showgirl,” Anderson portrays Shelley, a woman who, having been a Las Vegas showgirl for three decades, finds out her stage is shutting down. Faced with the challenge of shaping her upcoming life, she must make crucial decisions. The story delves into the stark contrast between when Shelley began her career as a showgirl in her 20s and the limited opportunities that await her in her 50s within the world of Hollywood, which is infamously unforgiving towards women, particularly those deemed past their prime and no longer attractive.
This is something someone like Pamela Anderson, who holds the record for the most single appearances on the cover of Playboy, has had to deal with. For so much of her career, it felt like the establishment didn’t take her seriously because of her looks. Anderson touched on the personal connection she feels to her character in The Last Showgirlwhen she said:
“I believe timing is crucial, as I had assumed I wouldn’t have the opportunity for something like this. In the back of my mind, I was thinking, ‘Guess that’s just how others see me. I’ll return to my farm, create preserves, and find another means to enrich my life.’ However, the release of the documentary and the book caught my attention, and Gia watched the documentary.
She seems extraordinary, perhaps a skilled artist or visionary, but she graciously shared the script with me, and upon reading it, I was struck by an intense feeling – as if I was the only one who could bring this story to life. It felt like a matter of survival, not just for the role, but for myself. And now, simply put, I’m deeply thankful.
Anderson Challenges Audiences to Rethink How They Treat Sex Symbols
Throughout her lifetime, Anderson has often been likened to Marilyn Monroe. Both were blonde actresses with soft voices who captivated audiences worldwide, as well as attracting admiration from men everywhere. However, they were also frequently dismissed by critics. Similarly, both women sought to transcend the stereotypes they faced and strive for serious acting roles. A key distinction is that Marilyn Monroe’s life ended prematurely at age 36, which cast a tragic light on her life. This led many to reconsider her career. As a result, she became an iconic figure who remains eternally youthful in the hearts and memories of millions.
Despite Anderson being 57 years old, her public image has aged significantly due to her prolonged exposure in the spotlight. Unlike men in Hollywood, women are not often granted the same graceful aging process and continued recognition. In a regrettable turn of events, it seems that appreciation is more easily extended posthumously rather than during one’s lifetime. This was evident in Anderson’s case, as she faced less cultural reverence compared to Marilyn Monroe. Due to her prominence on reality TV, associations with Playboy and Baywatch, Anderson’s value and accomplishments were often overlooked or diminished. She received little respect from her peers and the media, which is a clear reflection of societal attitudes towards women who embrace their sexuality openly.
Pamela Anderson is proving that she’s not defined by her age or appearance alone. Her exceptional performances in movies like Chicago and The Last Showgirl, along with her documentary and memoir, demonstrate a newfound control over her career. By learning to sing or dance for Chicago, she’s showing that it’s never too late to acquire new skills and tackle fresh challenges. After years of being primarily recognized for her looks, Pamela Anderson is challenging the status quo and encouraging us to reassess our perceptions of women once labeled as “a pretty face.
What The Future Holds for Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson is garnering a great deal of positive acclaim for her portrayal in “The Last Showgirl.” Although the movie itself has received responses ranging from mixed to favorable from critics, Anderson herself has been receiving plenty of praise. In fact, she was honored as one of Glamour’s Women of the Year in 2024. Some industry experts are even speculating that Anderson might be up for an Oscar nomination for her role in “The Last Showgirl.” The film is being compared to Mickey Rourke’s movie, “The Wrestler,” as both were personal dramas that seemed to reflect the actors’ lives. Notably, Rourke received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his performance in “The Wrestler.” With an Oscar-qualifying release date set for December 13, 2024, Anderson has officially entered the Best Actress competition.
It is worth remembering that Pamela Anderson’s achievement with The Last Showgirl should not be judged based on whether she lands a Best Actress Oscar nomination. While an award is a nice recognition of achievement, it is not the end all be all. Even the fact that Anderson’s name is in this conversation, to begin with, is a win for her. She is riding high off this new career path as she will also star in Karim Aïnouz’s dramatic thriller Rosebush Pruning alongside Riley Keough, Callum Turner, Jamie Bell, and Elle Fanning. She has come far from Barb Wire or Scary Movie 3.
For more than three decades, Pamela Anderson has been a familiar figure to many households. Yet, she seems to be embarking on an invigorating phase of her career, which doesn’t quite fit the description of a comeback since she’s been consistently active. Instead, it feels like she’s only just beginning to showcase her talents once more.
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2024-10-13 01:32