Pamela Anderson Says Award Recognition forLast ShowgirlIs 'Best Payback' After 'Hurtful'Pam & TommySeries

Mar. 15, 2025

Pamela Anderson on Jan. 7, 2025.Photo:TheStewartofNY/GC Images

TheStewartofNY/GC Images

Pamela Andersonis grateful to earn recognition for her acting work and being seen in a new light.When the star, 56, appeared onSiriusXM’sAndy Cohen Liveto promote her new movieThe Last Showgirl, she said during theinterviewthat she “didn’t know anything about” Hulu’s 2022 drama seriesPam & Tommyuntil after it was filmed. The show dramatized her relationship withex-husbandTommy Leeand their 1995 scandal surrounding astolen homemade sex tape.“I didn’t have any involvement. No one called me, which was so strange, and that was hurtful,” she said. “I think ethically it’s illegal,” she added, whenAndy Cohenwondered aloud whether Hulu was in the wrong for making a series based on Anderson’s life.“But you’re kind of fair game. I remember people telling me that a long time ago, that you are basically public property and you have no right to privacy. I remember that,” she added.When Cohen asked if Hulu executives ever reached out to her — Anderson described those behindPam & Tommyas “assholes” in a January 2023Varietyinterview and said at the time she wanted a public apology — to “make this right” for Anderson, the actress said, “No. They haven’t.“Sebastian Stan and Lily James in Pam & Tommy versus real image of Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson.Hulu; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I don’t know. I don’t really want to— I don’t dwell on it, but it was kind of a strange thing to pick a very terrible time in my life and make entertainment. People were nominated for Emmys and all sorts of stuff, and that’s why I was laughing with someone the other day,” she added. “[Deadline journalist Pete Hammond] was telling me, you know, all these people have won awards basically playing you, but not you.“Pam & TommystarredLily Jamesas Anderson, whileSebastian Stanportrayed Mötley Crüe drummer Lee, now 62. The series won an Emmy for its makeup work and was nominated in nine other categories at the2022 Emmys, including nods for Stan, 42, and James, 35.Now, more than two years later, Anderson is nominated at theScreen Actors Guild Awards; she also received nominations at the 2024 Gotham Awards and the 2025Golden Globe Awards, which were held Jan. 5.“It’s not the actors' fault. I mean, I’m sure [James is] a great actress and stuff, and I don’t care,” Anderson added, after Cohen and his co-hosts told her they never watched the series. “I mean, it’s just one of those things. It happened and now I’m here, and so this is the best payback. I’m being seen and recognized for my work and not these tawdry moments.“Pamela Anderson in The Last Showgirl.Roadside Attractions / Courtesy EverettAnderson learned ofPam & Tommy’s existence in footage from her 2023 Netflix documentaryPamela, A Love Story.Hertwo sonswith Lee, Brandon, 28, and Dylan, 27, break the news about the series to their mother oncamera in the documentary. In the film, she said the series' existence “really gives me nightmares” and said she “never watched” the 1995 sex tape at the center of the scandal.Actress James said in January 2022 that she reached out to Anderson before filmingPam & Tommybutdid not receive a response. Anderson toldThe New York Timesthat same month that she decided to never open the letter in question.The Last Showgirlis in theaters now.

Pamela Andersonis grateful to earn recognition for her acting work and being seen in a new light.

When the star, 56, appeared onSiriusXM’sAndy Cohen Liveto promote her new movieThe Last Showgirl, she said during theinterviewthat she “didn’t know anything about” Hulu’s 2022 drama seriesPam & Tommyuntil after it was filmed. The show dramatized her relationship withex-husbandTommy Leeand their 1995 scandal surrounding astolen homemade sex tape.

“I didn’t have any involvement. No one called me, which was so strange, and that was hurtful,” she said. “I think ethically it’s illegal,” she added, whenAndy Cohenwondered aloud whether Hulu was in the wrong for making a series based on Anderson’s life.

“But you’re kind of fair game. I remember people telling me that a long time ago, that you are basically public property and you have no right to privacy. I remember that,” she added.

When Cohen asked if Hulu executives ever reached out to her — Anderson described those behindPam & Tommyas “assholes” in a January 2023Varietyinterview and said at the time she wanted a public apology — to “make this right” for Anderson, the actress said, “No. They haven’t.”

Sebastian Stan and Lily James in Pam & Tommy versus real image of Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson.Hulu; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I don’t know. I don’t really want to— I don’t dwell on it, but it was kind of a strange thing to pick a very terrible time in my life and make entertainment. People were nominated for Emmys and all sorts of stuff, and that’s why I was laughing with someone the other day,” she added. “[Deadline journalist Pete Hammond] was telling me, you know, all these people have won awards basically playing you, but not you.”

Pam & TommystarredLily Jamesas Anderson, whileSebastian Stanportrayed Mötley Crüe drummer Lee, now 62. The series won an Emmy for its makeup work and was nominated in nine other categories at the2022 Emmys, including nods for Stan, 42, and James, 35.

Now, more than two years later, Anderson is nominated at theScreen Actors Guild Awards; she also received nominations at the 2024 Gotham Awards and the 2025Golden Globe Awards, which were held Jan. 5.

“It’s not the actors' fault. I mean, I’m sure [James is] a great actress and stuff, and I don’t care,” Anderson added, after Cohen and his co-hosts told her they never watched the series. “I mean, it’s just one of those things. It happened and now I’m here, and so this is the best payback. I’m being seen and recognized for my work and not these tawdry moments.”

Pamela Anderson in The Last Showgirl.Roadside Attractions / Courtesy Everett

Roadside Attractions / Courtesy Everett

Anderson learned ofPam & Tommy’s existence in footage from her 2023 Netflix documentaryPamela, A Love Story.Hertwo sonswith Lee, Brandon, 28, and Dylan, 27, break the news about the series to their mother oncamera in the documentary. In the film, she said the series' existence “really gives me nightmares” and said she “never watched” the 1995 sex tape at the center of the scandal.

Actress James said in January 2022 that she reached out to Anderson before filmingPam & Tommybutdid not receive a response. Anderson toldThe New York Timesthat same month that she decided to never open the letter in question.

The Last Showgirlis in theaters now.

source: people.com