Pamela Anderson debuts huge transformation as she reflects on major new role

By Bethany Whittingham, Senior Showbiz Reporter

Pamela Anderson wowed fans in her new role in the film The Last Showgirl (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Pamela Anderson shot to stardom in the 1990s when she landed the role on the hit TV show Baywatch.

She quickly became known for her big blonde hair and glamorous lifestyle in Hollywood. But her latest project will no doubt draw attention away from her classic pin-up image in her new film role in The Last Showgirl.

Critics are raving about the 57-year-old's portrayal of Las Vegas showgirl Shelly, who is facing the prospect of losing her livelihood when her show is set to close after three decades on stage.

Despite missing out on an Oscar nomination, Pamela’s performance – a lot of which she has drawn from her own life experiences – has been hailed as “the role of a lifetime”, and it seems as though the mum-of-two agrees.

Speaking about her role, she gushed: “Honestly, it feels like my first acting job is probably this movie. I’ve been in this business a long time, but I’ve never had any material like this before.

She admitted that she this role "feels like her first acting job" (Image: AP)

“This is the first time I’ve ever been able to apply everything I’ve loved and learnt over my career. I’ve taken acting classes and lessons before, but I really had nowhere to apply what I had learnt, so I got to put everything in this film.”

Pam’s acting comeback – which has been dubbed a ‘Pamaissance’ by fans – and her raw Netflix documentary Pamela: A Love Story have contributed to a period of transformation for the Canadian star.

Now, the TV favourite has lifted the lid on how much she “beat herself up” when it came to her acting revival. Speaking to press, Pamela opened up about her ambitions as an actor following her explosive sex-tape scandal in the mid 90s.

She told outlets: “I don’t consider myself a very ambitious person, but I’ve learnt that life happens and you have to make the most of it. Before I found this role, I was beating myself up, thinking, ‘I just don’t work hard enough. This wasn’t meant to be’.”

Sharing her excitement about her latest acting role, she admitted that “this is just the beginning of my career.” Pamela gushed: “When I went home, I gave up and thought, ‘I guess I’m just never going to be able to do or be what I’m capable of. I guess I really f***ed up. Whatever, I’ll figure it out’.

“But then I got this role and I figured I had nothing to lose. This might be the only movie I ever do in my life, but I know I’m capable of more, so that’s what pushed me. But I do feel like I’ve just begun to scratch the surface.”