Pamela Anderson: I never wanted “dirty money” from the stolen sex tape

One of the biggest bombshells (off topic) in the new Netflix documentary “Pamela, a Love Story” about Pamela Anderson is the shocking revelation that she and her ex-husband Tommy Lee never saw a dime of their infamous sex tape. . Although the information was public, most people only assumed that the couple had somehow exploited the unauthorized tape, which was stolen from their home and released in 1995.

The original sex tape and viral video rolled into one, Anderson says in the documentary that it was one of the most painful times of her life. Although he always said he never profited from the tape, no one cared enough to listen to it.

“I don’t think anyone wanted to believe it,” Anderson said during a conversation after a recent screening of the film in New York. “In addition, we let him go. After the deposits and all the craziness, and me being pregnant with Dylan, we didn’t want to put any more stress on the baby. Tommy and I just said “if… to them, karma, whatever” we just let it go. We really just tried to leave it in the past. So we didn’t do a press tour about what kind of money we didn’t get. It was just dirty money. We didn’t want to. And in the end we were fine.”

The Ryan White film sets up a lot in Anderson’s life; developing the icon for those who know nothing but “Baywatch”. Born on Vancouver Island, B.C., he survived a trauma-torn childhood before a few “Forrest Gump”-like coincidences plucked him from obscurity when he was in the right place at the right time. It’s a refreshing and intimate look at the misunderstood star, who comes across as thoughtful, loving and free-spirited.

“Pamela, a love story”

©Netflix/Courtesy of the Everett Collection

“I just think, why not? Everybody’s different, let’s try to dig those feelings that nobody else feels,” Anderson said of making the film. “We all have a purpose, and if we find our unique, forward-thinking ideas, that’s where all the interesting, good things are. So I thought, “If someone else can do it, I can do it.” And I just don’t know what I’m capable of yet. I just want to push myself to the limit. I don’t know what my goal is, I’m just having fun and trying everything. I think it’s a survival mechanism – we try to have fun, even when it’s hard.”

The film also offers its own insight after the popular Hulu series “Pam & Tommy” forced her to relive the sex tape. In addition to being yet another painful breach of privacy for the series, it has reignited media interest in the scandal. Anderson’s older son, Brandon Lee, produced the film and felt particularly passionate about seeing his mother in all her humanity.

“My goal with this was to give everyone a glimpse of what I see every day when I come home from school. Every day at my soccer practice, being a dedicated mom, and just being a supportive human being all around, trying to live a normal life in a world that just didn’t understand her,” Lee said. “The way he was treated was unacceptable and we should all be ashamed of ourselves for being a part of it.”

It was Lee who hired director White (“Good Night Oppy,” “Ask Dr. Ruth”) for the project. Anderson himself was very hands-on, with his son there to make sure the story was told with care and nuance. Still, it was difficult for him to remain completely neutral.

“There were definitely times when I thought, ‘Am I going to be able to stay level as a producer on this project and do what’s best for the film?’ I was constantly struggling with all these things that were in the movie about my family,” Lee said. “You watch your life come together and I don’t think a lot of people can, I watch a lot of things that happened with my family in the public eye and I remember certain instances. when I was a kid… but the rest of the world knew the full story and I didn’t. For me, a lot of things caught up to that, so it was very emotional.”

“Pamela, a Love Story” is currently streaming on Netflix.

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