Pamela Anderson has recently been on a rare interview circuit of in-depth interviews, according to Deadline. Opening up to questions about her life and career as a Playboy cover girl and star sex symbol of the television series Baywatch, the actress recently met with The Times of London, Variety, and Howard Stern to promote her new memoir and Netflix Documentary, Pamela, a Love Story.
The film arrives at a time when Anderson– currently getting attention for the Hulu limited series about her relationship with Tommy Lee–has been speaking out about the way Pam & Tommy was conducted. In particular, Anderson has said that the creators of the series, which covers the scandalous leak of her sex tape with husband and musician Tommy Lee, did not consult her on the series. Anderson’s trailer for her Netflix documentary describes itself, in part, as an attempt to take back her narrative.
On Howard Stern, Anderson recalled feeling “run over” after seeing advertisements for the Hulu series without advance warning that it was being made. “I remember seeing this advert for Pam & Tommy and was like, what? No one called me. I’m still alive. No one asked me. It’s nothing to do with me,” the actress insisted. Referring to the creators as “Assholes” in an interview with Variety, Anderson addressed them directly. “You still owe me a public apology,” she explained.
'I Was Painfully Shy'
But, recalling her career, Anderson discussed one person she felt was the only person to ever really treat her with “complete and utter respect”: Hugh Hefner. The Playboy magazine founder, who launched his 1953 magazine with older nude Marilyn Monroe photos taken under pseudonyms, was known for his Playboy Mansion, full of lavish parties with the rich and famous. Hefner also helped launch many celebrities' careers, including Anderson, comedian Gregory Dick, and writer Alex Haley. "It was just complete freedom," Anderson recalled about the Mansion to Variety. "It was full of artists, philanthropists, intellectuals, chivalry, beautiful women. It was really an experience… It was all wild all the time but in a very kind and generous, classy way.”
Discussing her first Playboy shoot, Anderson explained, “I was painfully shy, and I hated that feeling. That’s why I did it. I just didn’t want that feeling anymore” The actress noted that the first photoshoot gave her “this little kind of portal on what it felt like to be a sensual woman. My sexuality was mine. I took my power back.”
Anderson has reported that while she has refused to watch any of the Pamela & Tommy show, she thought the characters “just looked like a Halloween costume to me.” Adding to this, in her Stern interview, she said, “I don’t think they portrayed Tommy or I very accurately. I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard from people that it’s a very shallow representation of us. I wish they would’ve called.”
Pamela Anderson’s documentary, Pamela, a love story, will release Jan. 31 on Netflix.