Pamela Anderson takes on a dramatic role in "The Last Showgirl," portraying a Las Vegas showgirl facing career extinction. The indie film, directed by Gia Coppola, opens nationwide this Wednesday and is generating Oscar buzz despite missing out on a Golden Globe nomination.

Anderson plays Shelley, a fifty-something dancer whose dedication to showgirl life has cost her both marriage and relationship with her daughter. The character struggles with limited career options, facing a future of minimum-wage bartending alongside a former castmate played by Jamie Lee Curtis.

The film addresses the real-life challenges faced by hundreds of Las Vegas showgirls following the closure of the Strip's last two major production shows - "Folie Bergere" at the Tropicana (2009) and "Jubilee!" at Bally's (2016).

To prepare for the role, Anderson consulted with former "Jubilee!" performers and worked extensively with acting coach Ivana Chubbuck. The film was shot over 18 days at the Rio in January.

Critics have praised Anderson's performance, with Deadline calling it "career-defining... both heartbreaking and sensational," and IndieWire noting its "raw and nuanced" portrayal of aging in entertainment.

At 57, Anderson sees this role as launching her serious acting career. "I always knew that I was capable of more than I was doing," she reflected, acknowledging Coppola's ability to see beyond her public persona and recognize her artistic potential.

Related Articles

Previous Articles