Pamela Anderson is Riding a New Career High with Critical Success of “The Last Showgirl”
Pamela Anderson is riding a new career high with the critical success of “The Last Showgirl”, which has earned her a Screen Actors Guild nomination alongside her costar Jamie Lee Curtis. Directed by Gia Coppola and written by Kate Gersten, the movie sees Anderson take on the role of Shelley, a showgirl who has dedicated her life to a Las Vegas show that shuts down after 30 years. Curtis plays the supporting role of Annette, a former dancer who is emotionally tied to Shelley and the other showgirls.
One of the major subplots of the movie involves Shelley’s daughter Hannah (played by Billie Lourd), who resents her mother for having chosen her dancing over her responsibilities as a parent. Their strained relationship further highlights the mixed emotions Shelley feels over her life’s work being discarded.
Anderson and Curtis were interviewed about their roles in the movie and how they feel about the mother-daughter dynamics at the center of the movie. Curtis touched on Kiernan Shipka’s character in particular, as Jodie sees Shelley as a mother figure even when the latter is too overwhelmed to reciprocate.
Pamela Anderson Reflects on the Movie’s Strained Mother-Daughter Dynamic
Anderson spoke about the dynamic between Shelley and Hannah, saying that the relationship was “the dance of a working mother” and that she felt like it was “beautifully written and exciting to be a part of”. She also touched on the theme of women’s choices in Vegas, saying that “there aren’t many options for women” and that Annette is a cautionary tale for what can happen when women feel like they don’t have choices.
The Last Showgirl, a poignant film of resilience, rhinestones, and feathers, is now in theaters nationwide. The movie stars Anderson as Shelley, a glamorous showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. The film also co-stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd.
The Last Showgirl follows Hannah, a seasoned performer coping with the end of her dance show career after thirty-five years. As she seeks a new purpose, she also works to strengthen the bond with her estranged daughter. The movie is set to be released on January 10, 2025.