I can’t stop thinking about Pamela Anderson.
It all started when I kept seeing her on TV without makeup. The first couple times I was sort of like – hey that’s refreshing, I wonder if she’s making a statement of some sort. About the 3rd time I saw it as she was making her way through the awards show circuit, I got really curious and promptly went down a Pamela Anderson rabbit hole.
Did you know she was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild and a Golden Globe Award? She was going toe to toe with Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, and Cynthia Erivo in the best actress category.
Perhaps you knew this. Or perhaps you are right now saying wait – you mean Baywatch Pamela Anderson? Playboy Model Pamela Anderson? Pam and Tommy….?
Yes – her!
I started googling about the make-up and discovered that in fact, she isn’t trying to make a statement and she still likes makeup. But sometimes she just can’t be bothered, even if it is the Golden Globes.
Golden Globe nomination? Why yes, for her role in The Last Showgirl where she fully embodies the character of an aging Vegas showgirl of the classic feathers and sequins variety facing the loss of that identity.
In 2023, her sons from her marriage to rocker Tommy Lee released a documentary on Netflix about her. Titled Pamela, A Love Story, they set out to share with the world the woman they were raised by. For the past five years she’s been living a quiet, makeup-less life in Canada, taking care of her parents, advocating for animals and being fully present for her boys. Their loving documentary brought her back into the spotlight and to the attention of Gia Coppola, the director of The Last Showgirl. Watching this documentary and hearing this NPR interview introduced me to a woman who has lived her truth, loved her work, adored her children and expresses few regrets. I find I like her very much.
Speaking of nominees, I’ve also been thinking about Ariana Grande. A performer I used to dislike because of what I perceived as a hyper-sexualized child, woefully thin and too pop-y for my taste. Joke is on me - Ariana Grande is mega-force of talent and self-determination. Watching her make the rounds of comedy shows and podcasts , not to mention her amazing nominated performance in Wicked, I also realized she’s a delightful woman with a wonderful sense of humor. If you haven’t seen her vocal impressions or any of her appearances on SNL, you are truly missing out.
What’s any of this got to do with anything? It’s about judgement. It’s about my inner judgy-mcjudgenstein assuming things about people. Writing them off because of one life choice or another. Holding some sort of moral superiority over people I have never met. Women, just like me, who speak their truth, love their kids, and just want to do good work. My judge deciding whether what they do is good or bad, worthy of my attention and respect.
So, I want to say I’m sorry to Pamela Anderson and Ariana Grande and anyone else who was on Baywatch, wore a high pony with a short skirt, or anything else I somehow thought a sign of being worthy of disdain. I very much look forward to seeing what you do next! I have quieted ms. judgey and now I’m a fan, which is a lot more fun.
See below if you want to know more about these interesting women.
Did you see yourself at all in your thoughts about Pamela Anderson and Ariana Grande? Learning to recognize your inner judge and shift your thinking is a part of my 8-week mental fitness program. You can learn more about this course here.
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More About Pam & Ari…
From the photos:
Pamela makeup-free at various award shows
With her son & documentary producer at the Oscars
Pamela was featured on 14 playboy covers from 1989-2016, more than any other model.
With Tommy Lee
She married Motley Crew drummer Tommy Lee after four days of dating. They divorced after a domestic abuse incident. He is the father of her sons and she says she says she still considers him the main love of her life.
Pamela Fun Fact:
She has been vegan for three decades, has written a vegan cookbook and hosts a vegan cooking show in Canada, where she lives with her parents.
Ariana
Ariana on "Las Culturistas" with Bowen Yang - The two are good friends and hilarious together.
SNL Skit - Vocal impressions - SO GOOD!
Ariana Fun Fact:
Ariana has over 60 tattoos, including a small bee behind her ear – the symbol of the town of Manchester where a terrorist attack occurred at her concert in May 2017.
Ariana as Celine Dion on SNL