Pamela Anderson calls her role in The Last Showgirl a career-defining moment, describing the project as a “must-do” from the moment she read the script. Known for her iconic roles in Baywatch and Home Improvement, Anderson felt an unprecedented connection to the film’s story.
“I’d never read a script that resonated with me so deeply,” Anderson shared at TheWrap’s 2024 TIFF Studio. “I knew immediately that this role was meant for me. I felt like no one else could play this part—I had to do it.”
In The Last Showgirl, Anderson plays Shelley, a seasoned Las Vegas performer who is devastated to learn that the show she has dedicated her life to is closing in just two weeks. Shelley’s deep love for live performance and the fading glamour of old Las Vegas mirrors Anderson’s own emotional journey through the project.
The actress was so committed to the role that she reached out to director Gia Coppola, insisting she was the right person for the part. “I called Gia, pouring my heart out. She reassured me, ‘You’re the one. You’re doing it,’” Anderson recalled.
Describing the experience as transformative and healing, Anderson said, “This role changed my life. I needed it for my soul, and it felt like coming full circle.”
—
Photo Credit: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com