Pamela Anderson, acclaimed for her role in “The Last Showgirl,” is seeking to reinvent herself in theatre. The 57-year-old actress gained recognition as lifeguard CJ Parker in “Baywatch” but now feels validated as an actress after positive reviews from prominent publications. Inspired by her newfound confidence, Anderson aspires to star in a Tennessee Williams play, discussing the challenges of being typecast in pop culture. Currently living on Vancouver Island, she is exploring plant-based cooking and hosts a cooking show. She published an autobiography in 2023, emphasizing her journey through a tumultuous life filled with learning and growth.
Paris: Following enthusiastic praise for her role in “The Last Showgirl”, Pamela Anderson is now envisioning a future in theatre as the 1990s style icon aims to redefine herself once more.
The 57-year-old former Playboy model, who gained international fame portraying lifeguard CJ Parker in “Baywatch”, mentioned that depicting a declining showgirl in Gia Coppola’s recently released film made her feel like a genuine actress for the first time.
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“This (role) took me by surprise, especially when I thought my acting career was coming to an end,” she shared during her visit to Paris.
“Now I identify as an actress. However, I wasn’t quite sure if I was before; I was merely doing my best.”
The New York Times described Anderson as “dazzling” in her performance, whereas Britain’s The Guardian asserted it had “single-handedly transformed the perception of her as an actor”.
Coppola, granddaughter of “Godfather” director Francis Ford Coppola, sought out Anderson for the role in “The Last Showgirl” after watching the Netflix documentary about her life, “Pamela: A Love Story”.
Anderson’s resurgence later in her career mirrors the achievements of another 1990s figure, Demi Moore, who also confronted the entertainment industry’s portrayal of older women with her exceptional role in the Oscar-nominated “The Substance” last year.
The public accolades for Anderson’s portrayal of the showgirl — including a Golden Globe nomination — have empowered her to unveil new aspirations and challenge the perceptions shaped by her earlier career in swimwear.
“I believe being part of pop culture can sometimes be a curse, as you become recognized for just one thing,” Anderson reflected.
“Yet, I’ve always had a passion for cinema and theatre. I dream of performing in a Tennessee Williams play someday. I would absolutely love that. Why not envision it? You just have to continuously surprise people. That’s my aim,” she added.
Anderson’s personal journey has been as intricate as her career, but she now embraces her “messy” path.
She has been married at least six times — twice to the same person — and one marriage, to film producer Jon Peters, lasted a brief 12 days.
“I appreciate my wild and chaotic life because it provides so much to draw from,” she told AFP. “And it certainly wasn’t dull. It was challenging at times, absurd at others, and downright ridiculous at times.”
“But that’s how life is meant to be lived.”
She has returned to her roots on Vancouver Island in Canada, where she grew up, crafting pickles and experimenting with recipes for her new venture as a plant-based cooking expert.
She hosts her own cooking show titled “Pamela’s Cooking with Love” and published a cookbook last year.
In addition to her animal rights advocacy, she released an autobiography in 2023, emphasizing that she authored it herself after disregarding her literary agent’s suggestion to hire a ghostwriter.
“I can write, you nincompoop, give me some credit,” was her response, as she mentioned to The Times newspaper afterwards.
The book revealed her tumultuous upbringing with unpredictable parents, along with instances of childhood sexual abuse.
“I’m uncertain about what lies ahead. There are numerous opportunities available, but I’m comfortable with the uncertainty of what comes next,” she concluded. AP