For most of her career, Pamela Anderson has been limited to the label “sex symbol.”
The 57-year-old actress, who has appeared on the cover of Playboy multiple times and whose red swimsuit became iconic thanks to her role in the TV show “Baywatch,” says she is “underappreciated” by Hollywood but that she is part of the problem.
“I underestimated myself too,” she said. Variety StudioShe appeared at the Toronto Film Festival this weekend to promote her upcoming film, “The Last Showgirl.”
“I think you have to believe in yourself in order to get other people to believe in you,” she added.
Pamela Anderson on still being able to wear her iconic 'Baywatch' swimsuit: 'I still wear it sometimes'
Pamela Anderson has admitted that she “underestimated” herself ahead of the release of 'The Last Showgirl'. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for IMDb)
Anderson's real life mirrors her character in the film, a Las Vegas dancer who is pushed out of the industry because of her age. Anderson says the timing was right to land the big role at this point in her career. Last year, Anderson released the impactful documentary “Pamela,” which delves into her private life behind the camera and shows another side to the sexy woman.
“It all happened at the right time. The stars really aligned. It's been a surreal experience. I watched the movie and it was a dream. I was shooting the movie and it was a dream. And now it feels so surreal and I feel like I'm waking up and none of this is happening. I'd be so pissed if that happened,” she joked.
Pamela Anderson feels “blessed” to be starring in the upcoming film, “The Last Showgirl.” (Tracy Beale/Variety via Getty Images)
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“I'm so blessed to have the opportunity and the chance to live this life that I thought I could have so long ago, but things get in the way and life gets in the way.”
“It's a good situation to be in when you have no expectations,” she joked. “You can surprise people. Even with a long piece of writing, you're a genius! … But it's all about timing. I think it's just about timing and focus.”
Actresses Pamela Anderson, Kiernan Shipka and Brenda Song accompanied director Gia Coppola and screenwriter Kate Gersten at Variety TIFF Studios. (Michelle Kwans/Variety via Getty Images)
The film's director, Gia Coppola, was asked why Anderson wasn't chosen, despite his long history in the industry.
“I feel like being a beautiful woman, you get typecast in a way. I'm really attracted to actors in general, but they have so much more to offer, they want so much more from themselves, and yet I feel like I get typecast,” she explained. “I love working with actors who really want that opportunity, because it makes for such a fulfilling collaboration.”
“It's kind of a good situation to be in when you have no expectations. You can surprise everyone. Even if it's a complete sentence, you're a genius!”
Pamela Anderson is best known for her role as Casey Jean Parker in Baywatch. (Getty Images)
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Coppola also spoke about how he decided to cast the actress in his film.
“I came across her photo, I think you were promoting the documentary, and I just instinctively thought, 'What do I think about her?'” Coppola said. “But I didn't know that much about you at the time. Then my other cousin, Matt Shire, said, 'I know who your Shelley is. Her name is Pamela. You should watch her documentary.' And I watched it, and I was like, 'You're absolutely right. There's no one else who can be her. I have to go find her.'”
Eventually, Pamela Anderson's son, Brandon Thomas Lee, gave the script to his mother. (Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)
After asking Anderson for permission to continue the story, Coppola explained that there were initially hurdles to overcome.
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“I submitted the script to her former agent and it was rejected within an hour. Then, through Brandon, [Lee]”Ask your son to deliver the script,” Coppola added.
Anderson has since signed with a new agency.
“There is no one else who could play this role other than Pamela,” Coppola added.
