PAMELA ANDERSON: I was all in and knew I had to do it.
Ive never read a script like this before.
Ive never been offered anything like it.
So, I was all in, times a thousand, times a million.
So, how did the experience of working with Pamela Anderson compare to what you hoped it would be?
JAMIE LEE CURTIS: Ive known Gia Coppola since she was a young girl.
Image via Roadside Attractions
She sent me a script and said, Im making a movie with Pamela Anderson.
Its calledThe Last Showgirl.
Id like you to play Annette, her best friend.
And I said yes to Gia right then because I knew right away what it was going to be.
And then, I read it, and its based on a play by Kate Gersten.
We all know her.
Everybody is gonna go their own way.
That was heartbreaking to me.
So, I knew Annette.
Image via Roadside Attractions
I knew that she was a hustler.
I knew her in a second.
I knew what she looked like.
I knew what her skin looked like.
CURTIS: We didnt hang out at all.
We arrived and started shooting.
A veteran Las Vegas showgirl reassesses her life and relationships after her long-running show abruptly ends. This drama explores themes of resilience, family dynamics, and the pursuit of new beginnings amidst personal and professional upheavals.
I was there for four days total.
We hit the ground running.
I knew I would feel what I feel [about Pamela].
There are those ride or die people where you just go, Ive loved you my whole life.
Thats all youre saying to someone.
So, it was easy.
ANDERSON: It was just natural.
It was such a strong connection.
Of course, I was intimidated to meet Jamie, at first.
CURTIS: Because Im so intimidating.
ANDERSON: Youre not intimidating, but youre Jamie Lee Curtis.
Youre a big movie star.
What was that scene like to shoot?
What was that mother-daughter relationship like to explore and define with Billie Lourd?
She came to that scene with a lot of life experience that she could express herself with.
And I have children.
That was the first scene we shot together.
Its funny how that happens, but you just bond.
Youre opening your hearts and your soul to one another so quickly.
It was a beautiful scene, and it felt good to do that.
CURTIS: Thats also a great part of the art form.
They didnt know each other, but Billie showed up and they shot that scene.
Thats how show business works.
But Pam and I met in the hall and were shooting the next day.
Thats how show business works.
Thats the great testament to a beautiful script.
The play is the thing.
The thing that leads you there are the words.
Its a challenging thing, and its a really strong message of single motherhood.
I thought that was very relatable.
CURTIS: No, no, no.
Heres the truth: We went to Vegas.
We were in the casino, the first day with Gia.
We were walking around.
There was a cocktail waitress, and I asked her a little bit about what she does.
She said, Im not a cocktail waitress.
Im what they call a beveretainer.
Bevertainers are cocktail servers who entertain.
She then danced for us on this little platform, which was the same platform that I danced on.
As we were walking away, Gia said to me, Oh, Annettes gonna dance.
And I said, No, no, no.
She is not dancing.
We have three days to shoot with me.
We are not dancing.
I said, What?!
She said, “You’re dancing in five minutes.
“We did one take.
There was no choreography.What I really didnt know was how she was gonna use that in the storytelling.
But the way she cut it into the story absolutely ripped me apart.
Steve Levitans sitcom also starred Christopher Lloyd.
The Last Showgirlis now playing in theaters.
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