Pamela Anderson, the iconic actress known for her role in the 1990s TV series Baywatch, has had a rollercoaster career filled with highs and lows. Her latest film, The Last Showgirl, has garnered significant attention, though it did not secure an Oscar nomination. Anderson, now 57, has remained stoic about the omission, emphasizing the value of the work itself.

“The win is the work,” the Canadian actress told BBC News.

“You couldn’t have told me I’d be here a decade ago, so this is very exciting for me, to even be in the conversation.”

Despite missing out on the Academy Awards, Anderson has received nominations at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards for her role in Gia Coppola’s film about a fading Las Vegas dancer. The Academy Awards, set to take place this Sunday in Los Angeles, will not include Anderson in the running, but she remains optimistic about the industry and her place in it.

“I just wish everybody well,” she said.

“I think anybody, any actor, realises that all of this is about having another chance to be able to perform and share your talent with the world.”

Anderson’s rise to fame began with Baywatch, which became a global phenomenon in the 1990s. The lifeguard drama was the most-watched television show at the time, and it remains the role for which Anderson is best known. However, her life story extends far beyond the beaches of California. She has been featured on Playboy covers, dealt with the controversy of a leaked sex tape, and experienced multiple marriages.

In 2022, the Hulu series Pam & Tommy delved into the scandal surrounding the stolen and illegally distributed sex tape involving Anderson and her ex-husband Tommy Lee. Anderson later criticized the series, describing it as “shocking” and calling for an apology from those behind it.

Now, Anderson is starring in a new film that also explores themes of second chances. In The Last Showgirl, her character, Shelly, must navigate her future after her show abruptly closes. Critics have drawn parallels between Shelly’s story and Anderson’s own experiences in the spotlight, a comparison she does not dispute.

“I think that’s what drew me to the project, that it was so relatable on so many levels,” Anderson said of the film.

She added that its central theme, of struggling to make your career work as a woman in later middle age, was something “many generations of women” had faced.

In the film, Shelly’s strained relationship with her daughter Hannah mirrors Anderson’s own experiences as a working mother. Anderson shares two sons, Brandon Thomas, 28, and Dylan Jagger, 27, with her ex-husband, Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. She acknowledges the challenges of balancing parenthood with a career, noting that there is “no proper way” to be a parent while pursuing dreams.

“So this movie is, I think, in a very vulnerable space,” she said.

“And it was an interesting role to play with all her imperfections and selfishness and selflessness. And it was a lot of layers and nuances to the character that I could really relate to.”

The Last Showgirl has received a mixed reception from critics, though most have praised Anderson’s performance. The New York Times described the film as “sensitive and beguiling” and Anderson as “dazzling,” while The Guardian awarded it just one star, calling it “a big disappointment.” Many have also described the role as Anderson’s “comeback.” She doesn’t reject the term but prefers to see it as “a new chapter.”

“I’ve always been fascinated with the craft of acting,” she said. “[But] my personal life kind of took me off course, and I raised two beautiful boys.”

Anderson is not the only actress back in the spotlight this season. Demi Moore is nominated for best actress at the Oscars for her role in The Substance, a body horror film that has revitalized her career. Anderson expressed her support for Moore, saying, “I’m really happy for Demi. I think she’s earned her place. And you have to earn it. You have to fight for it.”

With so many strong female protagonists in this year’s films, Anderson was asked about her thoughts on Baywatch, which has long been criticized for its portrayal of female characters. She defended the show, stating, “I didn’t see it like that at all. I thought it was quite innocent and wholesome and, and fun to watch. I always felt like I was surrounded by such incredible people, lifeguards that were also firemen or firewomen. It was really, really, empowering.”

Ditching the Makeup

Anderson has always been associated with a look that rose to prominence in the 90s—skinny, blonde, and enhanced by plastic surgery. In recent years, she has embraced a “no-makeup” look, choosing to highlight her natural appearance.

“My beauty routine is rest. And so that’s more important to me these days,” she told me.

She said it’s not that she’s against makeup, but more that she thinks “there’s a time and a place” for it.

“This chapter, for me, has been about self-acceptance and finding out who I am. What are my original thoughts? What do I have to give?” she said.

“I know I have a lot more to give in this world, in this industry too, and I feel like even I have to remember who I am to start with and then hopefully, play characters in films and not in my personal life.”

Anderson’s journey from a 90s icon to a mature actress reflects the evolving landscape of Hollywood. Her embrace of natural beauty and self-acceptance resonates with a new generation of viewers who value authenticity and vulnerability. As she continues to explore new roles and challenge herself, Anderson remains a symbol of resilience and reinvention in the entertainment industry.