Pamela Anderson reflects on going makeup-free in 'The Last Showgirl': ‘I wanted it to be raw and real'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Pamela Anderson has opened up about her decision to go makeup-free in her latest film, The 'Last Showgirl', and has revealed how she landed the role. 

The actress, 57, stars as Shelly, a Las Vegas dancer whose long-running show is ending, and felt the look added authenticity to her character.

Pamela Anderson says she wanted Shelly to be 'raw and real'

Pamela Anderson, in an interview with People, shared how she wanted Shelly to reflect real life, especially outside the spotlight.

Her approach focused on capturing rawness and realism for the role. "I wanted to just how Shelly would be if she's going to the grocery store," Anderson said.

"I just wanted it to be raw and real, and I was ready for that and prepared for that and excited about that," Anderson added.

While preparing for daily shoots, Anderson revealed that she avoided mirrors entirely to stay focused on the role.

"I didn't want that to be in my head at all about the way that I looked, unless it was in the showgirl mirrors [in the movie]," Anderson explained.

How Pamela Anderson's role in 'The Last Showgirl' reignited her acting career

Pamela Anderson is receiving praise and award consideration for her performance in the film 'The Last Showgirl', directed by Gia Coppola.

The project provided the actress an opportunity to step into a deeper role, one she was eager to take on.

Speaking about how she landed the part, Anderson revealed that Coppola pursued her despite her agent initially passing on the script.

"It was a rocky road. It was sent to an old agent of mine, who turned it down within five minutes," Andreson said according to WMA.

"I had gone home to my garden to make pickles and jam, thinking, I'm probably never going to do a film of any substance," she revealed.

"I was beating myself up a little bit. Then Gia found my son and sent him the script. I read it, and bells rang and I could hear the voice. It really sang to me," she added.

Anderson reflected on how this project helped reshape her career.

"I didn't have a real strong agent or anyone with any vision or belief in me. Now I do, but only because I did 'The Last Showgirl'," Anderson said.

"You have to get a project that you can sink your teeth into to show people that you're more than where you've been pigeonholed," she further added.

Pamela Anderson shares how she prepared for Shelly's role

Pamela Anderson also spoke about her preparation for the role, likening it to preparing for a stage performance.

"I spent time with some of the dancers from the show Jubilee and asked them a lot of questions. They came over to my house for tea, and I learned the showgirl dos and don’ts," she told WMA.

"I prepared for it like I would a play," Anderson revealed to People. "I knew the script from beginning to end inside and out and backwards before I even got to Las Vegas. But then you throw it out the window and you just let Gia direct you," she added.

'The Last Showgirl' also stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Brenda Song, Billie Lourd, and Kiernan Shipka.

"I was really afraid to meet Jamie Lee Curtis," she said. "I was terrified."

But after she met her, "she grabbed me by the shoulders, looked me in the eye, and said, 'I did this for you.' All of my reservations and fears and insecurities went out the window," Anderson said.

"She is such a cheerleader and champion of women. She's fearless," she added.  The is set to be released in theaters on Friday, January 10.