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Pamela Anderson was discovered by chance. Scouted while attending a football match, the blonde beauty went on to become one of the most notable Playboy models and breakout Baywatch star.
For years, headlines about Pamela dominated the news cycle. But in 2023, the actress reclaimed her narrative through the Netflix documentary: Pamela, A Love Story.
As she re-enters the public eye on her own terms, the 57-year-old has defied Hollywood beauty standards by turning up to events bare-faced and during an appearance at the 2024 Gotham Awards, she revealed why.
“It has a time and a place,” she said of makeup to People Magazine. “I just feel in my personal life, it just didn’t really make sense.”
The actress, who was a nominee on the night for her role in The Last Showgirl, admitted that she hasn’t barred makeup from her life completely, especially while acting. “I love to wear makeup too sometimes,” she added.
Why doesn’t Pamela Anderson wear makeup?
Pamela has spoken candidly about her decision to forgo heavy makeup, which was largely due to the death of her close friend – makeup artist Alexis Vogel.
“She was the best,” the model previously told Elle. “And since then, I just felt, without Alexis, it’s just better for me not to wear makeup.”
For the actress, ageing sans makeup is “freeing, and fun, and a little rebellious.”
“I think we all start looking a little funny when we get older,” she said. “And I’m kind of laughing at myself when I look in the mirror. I go: ‘Wow, this is really… what’s happening to me?’ It’s a journey.”
Pam shared further details about the decision while speaking to Vogue France, confessing she didn’t “want to compete with the clothes.”
“My mum always told me: ‘At some point in your life, you’re not going to want to wear makeup on your skin,’ and she’s right. You kind of have to challenge beauty sometimes.”
“I’m not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room,” the star added. “I feel like it’s just freedom. It’s a relief.”
Preferring to use the term “life-ing” rather than “aging”, as per Cosmopolitan, Pam is trying to “embrace” this chapter of her life.
“Sometimes it’s challenging and you just have to understand that you’re good enough and you’re beautiful,” said the 57-year-old.
“Chasing youth is just futile. You’re never going to get there… why not just embrace what’s going on… I actually like it better. I’m dressing for me now, not for everybody else.”
