Pamela Anderson's Decades of Hidden Depression

Pamela Anderson is enjoying unprecedented acclaim for her latest film, Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl, heralding a surprising new era for the iconic Baywatch actress.

At the Zurich Film Festival, where she accepted the prestigious Golden Eye Award, Anderson opened up about battling “depression for decades.” She described the time between her Baywatch fame and her Broadway debut in 2022 as “a blur.” Reflecting on her unexpected journey, she said, “I never imagined I would stand on stage to receive an award like this. I’m eager to keep working and exploring new opportunities.”

Anderson continued, “Looking back, it feels like I jumped from Baywatch to Broadway without knowing what happened in between. I’m just grateful to be present in this moment, especially considering my struggles with depression over the years.”

In The Last Showgirl, penned by Kate Gersten and directed by Coppola, Anderson portrays Shelley, a veteran performer in Las Vegas navigating a pivotal transition after her show unexpectedly closes. The script resonated with her so deeply that she referred to it as "the first time I encountered a genuinely great script," insisting she was meant for the role.

The so-called Pamelaissance began in 2022 when she took the stage as Roxie Hart in Chicago. Rob Marshall, who directed the iconic film version, spotted her at a surf competition and urged her to try Broadway. Although she was initially intimidated, she later reflected on the experience as "the best decision" she ever made. “You don’t know your true potential until you take a leap of faith,” she noted.

Her time on Broadway not only transformed how Anderson sees herself but also changed how the public perceives her. Her 2023 memoir, Love, Pamela, along with Ryan White's documentary, Pamela, a Love Story, played significant roles in this transformation. “Ryan created that documentary, and that’s how Gia recognized my potential,” Anderson explained. “I always believed I was capable of more. Being part of pop culture has its perks and pitfalls; people often focus on a mere bathing suit. It’s taken a long time, but I’m finally here.”