Pamela Anderson is shedding light on her recent battle with depression during a time of career revitalization. At the Zurich Film Festival, the Baywatch alum, 57, revealed she endured depression for “a couple of decades.” Anderson was present at the festival to introduce her new film, The Last Showgirl, and also to accept the esteemed Golden Eye Award.
The Love, Pamela author conveyed joy about continuing her work and receiving the accolade, before sharing insights into her mental health struggles over the past few years. “I look at it now and it feels like I went from Baywatch to Broadway. I don’t know what happened in between, it’s all a big blur,” she shared.
Pamela Anderson Gets Candid About Her Mental Health Struggles And Depression At The Zurich Film Festival
The mom of two added: "I am just happy to be here, in this moment, because I think I have had depression for a couple of decades." The Sonsie founder went on: "I never thought I would be on stage, receiving an award like that. I just want to keep working. I am excited to do more."
Regarding her rise to fame and recent resurgence, Anderson said: "It’s great to be a part of pop culture, but it’s a blessing and a curse. People fall in love with you because of a bathing suit. It has taken a long time, but I am here."
The Barb Wire actress said she was a "mischievous child" growing up and began to dream ambitiously because of her Finnish grandfather. "He really encouraged my imagination. He made me realize you are not just an extension of your parents or a small town you grew up in," she recalled.
Anderson further reflected: "When you grow up on an island, people don’t leave. And when you leave, people talk. I gave them plenty of material to make fun of me. No charge." She added: "My first scene was with David Hasselhoff. I was playing saxophone and he was looking at my forehead. I had no idea what to do."
In Gia Coppola's newest drama film, The Last Showgirl, Anderson portrays Shelley, a Las Vegas showgirl who stands as the glittering, feathered, and crystal-bedecked star of Sin City’s final classic floor show. "I don’t think I could have played this character (in The Last Showgirl) if I wouldn’t have the life that I had, so it was worth it," Anderson revealed at the festival. "If I can continue working and using these struggles and challenges… I’ll feel blessed."
As for inspiration for her character, she noted: "I tried to go back to things that happened in my childhood. I could smell my house, cigarettes and alcohol, and it was important to look at all that. I was trying to get my power back. I bought the house of my grandmother and I repainted and rewrote my life."
After reviewing the script for The Last Showgirl, Anderson emphasized that this project was critically important to her. "I was in my overalls, in my straw hat, thinking, 'Get me out of here, let’s do this!'"
Anderson also went on to say that she was "terrified to meet" her co-star Jamie Lee Curtis, however, they soon bonded on set. "She showed up to the table read in her spray tan and as she was talking to me, she was getting darker, and darker, and darker. Now, I feel like I’ve known her all my life. She grabs you by the shoulders, looks you in the eyes and goes: 'We got this, girl!" Anderson sweetly shared.
Anderson's latest project debuted globally at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6th. Additionally, The Last Showgirl secured a coveted spot in the main competition lineup of the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival.
