Pamela Anderson addresses not getting nominated for an Oscar: ‘I always say the win is in the work’
3 min readPamela Anderson reflects on not receiving an Oscar nomination, saying she’s content with her journey and that the true reward lies in the work itself. Despite the disappointment many fans felt when her name wasn’t called during the Oscar nominations, Anderson remained unfazed. In an interview with Martha Stewart, published by Elle on Friday, she explained, “I couldn’t even imagine that,” in response to the thought of being nominated. Instead, she celebrated the recognition she has already received, including a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in The Last Showgirl.
Anderson’s portrayal of a Las Vegas showgirl at the end of her career, contemplating the future of her long-running revue show, garnered praise from various critics’ groups and film festivals both in the U.S. and internationally. “It’s all unexpected and exciting,” she said about the honors, adding, “I always say the win is in the work.” For Anderson, the real reward was the opportunity to take on a role she deeply connected with, describing it as a project that nourished her soul. “I got to do something I really love,” she said, highlighting that the experience itself was meaningful, regardless of any awards.
She went on to explain why she felt so drawn to the role, sharing, “I could hear the voice in my head. I could see how to play her, all the layers and nuances. I felt like it was already in my mind, and so I knew I had to do it.” This was a unique experience for Anderson, who reflected that in her past work, she hadn’t been given many opportunities to play such complex and compelling characters. “Nobody was giving me these great characters to play or a script like this. I just thought, Wow,” she said, emphasizing how rare this kind of role had been for her.

The Last Showgirl, directed by Gia Coppola, features a star-studded cast including Dave Bautista, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Billie Lourd, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Anderson shared a touching moment with Jamie Lee Curtis, who expressed her support for Anderson by telling her, “I did this movie for you.” Anderson recalled that Curtis had taken her by the shoulders during filming and emphasized the importance of the role, which Anderson found deeply moving.
Curtis also expressed her excitement for the project on Instagram, where she explained that as soon as she learned Anderson would be starring in the lead role, she knew she wanted to be a part of the film. Curtis also acknowledged the challenges the film faced, especially in light of the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which have diverted attention from the movie’s campaign. In an Instagram post, Curtis pointed out that the focus had shifted to supporting those affected by the fires, which may have contributed to the film not receiving the recognition it deserved from Academy voters.

Despite these challenges, The Last Showgirl continues to play in theaters, where audiences are discovering Anderson’s heartfelt and nuanced performance. Anderson herself remains focused on the positive aspects of the project, reflecting on how much it has meant to her personally. Whether or not she receives further accolades, she remains proud of her work and the opportunity to take on a role that allowed her to explore new depths as an actress.
In the end, Anderson’s perspective on her career reflects a sense of fulfillment that transcends awards and recognition. “The win is in the work,” she reiterated, showing that for her, the real triumph is in the personal satisfaction of doing what she loves.