Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she’s tipped for Oscar nod

Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod

In my humble opinion, Pamela Anderson’s transformation from beloved comedic actress to serious dramatic powerhouse in “Blonde Ambition” is nothing short of extraordinary. Her journey, much like the ebb and flow of the Pacific Ocean she once graced as CJ Parker, is a testament to her resilience and versatility as an artist.


In the intense first trailer for The Last Showgirl, Pamela Anderson brilliantly portrayed a once-vibrant Las Vegas entertainer who has seen better days.

57-year-old actress, famed for her role in Baywatch, is garnering the best accolades of her career following a critically acclaimed performance in a film directed by Gia Coppola. She portrays Shelly, a stylish and aging showgirl, who finds herself needing to consider her future after her long-running show unexpectedly shuts down.

The trailer begins with Shelly dressed up in her showgirl sequin-adorned finery as manager and ex-lover Eddie (Dave Bautista) says: ‘Places please for the final performance of the Razzle Dazzle.’

A teary Shelly forces a smile as the curtain goes up.

Backstage, Shelly reminisces about her career, musing: “Once upon a time, Las Vegas regarded us as if we were Hollywood stars. The costumes, the stages – we represented elegance and poise, embodying the quintessential Las Vegas showgirl, an iconic symbol of American glamour.

Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod

Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod

In the scene, Shelly is noticed engaging in conversation with her longtime friend Annette, who used to be a showgirl, and spending time with her daughter Hannah, as portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis and Billie Lourd respectively.

‘Have you prepared a performance?’ To this, she replies: ‘Yes, I’m actually a dancer.’

She muses: ‘To feel recognized and attractive holds immense strength, and I can scarcely conceive my existence without it.’

Enduring a job that doesn’t ignite passion within you is truly challenging.” As the story unfolds, we find Shelly enveloped by dancers amidst the stage lights, with Miley Cyrus’ song ‘Beautiful Just Like Me’ filling the air.

In a different phrasing, the movie titled “The Last Showgirl,” premiered on September 6th, features actresses like Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, and Jason Schwartzman.

The movie is set for a limited release in Los Angeles on December 13, serving as its qualifying run for awards, followed by a nationwide premiere on January 10, 2025.

Speculation has been sparked that Anderson may receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, given the acclaim for her powerful portrayal in the role. As reported by Variety critic Peter Debruge, Curtis’ performance is described as a ‘powerful force of nature’.

According to Pete Hammond from Deadline, Anderson delivers a striking performance in this role that aligns with her genuine optimism and allows her to expose raw emotions. Her portrayal is so powerful it may leave you tearful.

Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod
Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod
Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod
Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod
Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod
Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod
Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod
Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod
Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod

I’ve long believed that she was underappreciated as a comedic actress, largely due to her brief sitcom “Stacked” from 2005. However, her dramatic skills were not evident before, not to this extent. But in this role, she fully commits. Curtis excels in every shared scene with sharp humor.

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has 81% of 52 critics’ reviews as positive.

Previously, Anderson appeared on-screen in the 2017 movie version of Baywatch, where she briefly took up her famous character, CJ Parker, once more.

As soon as Anderson obtained Kate Gersten’s script, she found herself captivated by the character, who remains devoted to her craft, even though society often trivializes her and perceives her merely as an object of desire.

As a passionate reader, I haven’t encountered a script that stirred such a profound response within me. Nothing resembled it before. Upon reading it, I felt an overwhelming compulsion to be involved. It was a matter of life and death, something deeply significant.

At the Toronto International Film Festival’s film debut in September, she stated that she had been preparing her entire life for this specific role.

She remarked that living a life full of both beauty and chaos is something truly inspiring to reflect upon. Occasionally, she finds herself contemplating her past, considering if there were alternative ways to live, but it’s only through life experiences that one can later look back and make such reflections.

She mentioned, “I truly cherish the art of acting, and I’ve had numerous private coaching sessions. Now, it seems like this situation offers me a chance to apply what I’ve learned.

Anderson mentioned that being single and with her two sons now independent, she could dedicate a complete and unwavering effort to the project.

Pamela Anderson shines as faded Las Vegas performer in The Last Showgirl trailer as she's tipped for Oscar nod

“I don’t stand much to gain or lose here. If this film turns out to be my final one, or even my debut, I’m ready.

She said she took the role as a chance to ‘see what I’m made of.’

She admitted, “I realized I was capable of achieving more than my past performances suggested. At one point, I felt defeated and went home, thinking ‘Oh dear, I messed up.’ I didn’t put in enough effort or people seem to perceive me a certain way because I found myself in unfavorable circumstances.

‘I want to be defined by what I do and not what has been done to me.’

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2024-11-14 21:56

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