Pop culture icon Pamela Anderson spoke to audiences after Vancouver showings of her film The Last Showgirl
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Vancouver moviegoers got quite the surprise recently at the Fifth Avenue Cinemas.
But she had no reason to be as the crowd loved the film and got on their feet and applauded Anderson as she walked down the aisle of the theatre to the front of the stage. The room also rang with “we love Pam,” shouts from the crowd.
During the interview, Anderson explained that she wanted to be in Vancouver to launch the movie because she is a “West Coast girl.”
Speaking of the script, Anderson’s agent at the time passed on it just an hour after receiving it.
“He’s not my agent anymore,” said Anderson prompting a laugh, one of many she got during the interview.
Other funny moments included Anderson’s response to the question about being a longtime survivor of Hollywood and any advice she would give to younger actresses.
“I’m the last person who should give advice,” said Anderson pausing after for the laugh. “Seriously, I took a long, weird route here.”
She also cracked wise about her many name changes due to marriages.
“Six, no wait, four,” she said.
Anderson let the crowd in on some behind-the-scenes moments of the making of the film. Many of the Bob Mackie costumes — “museum pieces” as Anderson called them — were from the famous Las Vegas revue Jubilee that closed in 2016 after 35 years. Anderson and others in the film got a chance to meet with some of the Jubilee dancers.
“I have always been curious about, who are the women holding up the rhinestones,” said Anderson adding, “They have families, they go to the grocery store, but we don’t think about those things.”
Anderson also explained about the whole showgirl look, making it clear it wasn’t burlesque.
“The headdresses weigh 50 pounds, it’s tough walking downstairs without falling over,” said Anderson. “(The real showgirls) wear the headdresses only for a few minutes on stage, and we were wearing them all day. So we were getting massages the next day.”
The awards season buzz has meant a buzz in general for Anderson. Now, the former Baywatch and Playboy star is on a lot of different radars.
“Yes, I’m getting lots of scripts. I’m reading lots of scripts. I’m meeting with a lot of great directors,” said Anderson when asked how her turn in The Last Showgirl has trickled down into her professional life.
At the end of each of her appearances in the Vancouver theatre, Anderson made a plea for the audience to spread the word about the indie film.
“We shot the film in 18 days, not with the budget of normal movies that are up here,” Anderson said pointing to the movie screen behind her. “It’s really nice to be able to see this on the big screen … We need good word of mouth … You guys are advertising.”
At the end of the interview, Anderson got up from the chair and started to walk toward the aisle, then paused for only a second
“Look, Baywatch,” she said laughing as she nodded toward a woman who was wearing a familiar-looking red garment under her jean jacket.