Celebrity News

Pamela Anderson takes her power back

Yet another film production is being released about Pamela Anderson’s life, this time it’s by Netflix with her consent.

Pamela Anderson in her younger years
Source: Steve Granitz/WireImage
Rose De Geeter Rose De Geeter

Netflix recently announced that they are partnering with Pamela Anderson to tell her story, and this is what we know:

Pamela Anderson is well known for being a 90s sex symbol, a Baywatch star, a Playboy bunny, her marriage with rocker Tommy Lee – but she’s much more than that. She’s an active PETA supporter and animal rights activist, author, and mother of her two sons.

Pamela Anderson in her younger years
Source: Steve Granitz/WireImage

The Hulu Series

In February of 2022, Hulu released Pam & Tommy, a widely advertised biographical drama series retelling the traumatic story of Pamela and her husband Tommy Lee’s short and rocky marriage, and mostly their leaked sex tape. In other words, it brings back the double standard of a situation that had a terrible impact on Anderson. A situation she would surely want to forget about rather than watch being revived to a new generation. 

The series was derived from a Rolling Stones article dating back to 2014, which announced the untold story of the sex tape –how an electrician formerly employed by the couple stole and leaked the tape out of spite for the entire public to see. However, neither Pamela nor Tommy was involved in the actual production of their own story and gave no approval.

Lily James and Sebastian Stan as Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee in Pam & Tommy
Source: Erin Simkin/ HULU

In fact, Lily James, the actress portraying Pamela Anderson in the Hulu series, mentioned during a Net-a-Porter interview that she reached out to Anderson herself, and she added “I was really hopeful that she would be involved. I wish it had been different”. But despite Anderson’s decline in meeting the actress, a source told Entertainment Weekly that Tommy Lee did meet up with Sebastian Stan, his portrayer, before filming.

Lily James as Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy
Source: Erin Simkin/Hulu

Her Silence

“I do know she’ll never, never watch this…not even years from now. Not even the trailer.” – Source close to Pamela Anderson to Entertainment Weekly

Although Pamela herself has not commented or shown any recognition to the show after the production either, a source close to her told Entertainment Weekly “I do know she’ll never, never watch this…Not even years from now. Not even the trailer.”. The source also said that she was contacted again after the production but didn’t reply. They add “Imagine if a celebrity today had their nudes leaked and then Hollywood recreated not just the crime but the actual nudes — that would never happen. In the ’90s, Pamela’s body was deemed by a judge to be public property. There was no question the tape was stolen property, but the court decided it wasn’t private property because her body belonged to the world.”

Further on, the close friend said that despite the #MeToo movement, “Pamela is somehow still the exception to the rule. She’s still up for grabs. That’s messed up. Yes, it’s brief clips — but to me the most damning aspect is that [Pam & Tommy] didn’t just tell the story, they recreated moments from the boat.”.

The Netflix show

“My life/ A thousand imperfections/ A million misperceptions/ Wicked, wild and lost/ Nothing to live up to / I can only surprise you /Not a victim, but a survivor / And alive to tell the real story” – Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson recently
Source: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Recently, on March 3rd, Pamela Anderson broke her silence on her Instagram and announced that she will be partnering with Netflix to tell her own life story. According to Netflix, it will be a documentary-style movie containing unseen old footage, thoughts, and most importantly – from her own voice, during her lifetime in and out of the spotlight. It will be about more than just the leaked sex tape. 

The film is said to be directed by Ryan White, who is known for his work on The Keepers, The Case Against 8, and Ask Dr Ruth. The film doesn’t have a title yet, nor a release date, but has been several years in the making and we can’t wait to hear and read all about it – this time with Pamela’s consent. In the meantime, you can check out 5 series and movies we recommend you to watch.

Rose De Geeter

International student at Abat Oliba CEU. Interested in lifestyle, fashion, and mental health.