Pamela Anderson has always viewed herself as a serious actress.

As a child, she fondly recalls her father watching “All in the Family” while she passionately recited Shakespeare sonnets on a stationary bike.

“Even back when I was doing Playboy covers, I was diving into plays by Tennessee Williams and Eugene O’Neill,” Anderson reflects. Following her roles in NBC’s “Baywatch” and the notoriety from her leaked sex tape, she expressed feeling let down by the lack of challenge in her work, saying she felt like she was “getting away with murder in a bathing suit.”

Now, she might earn her first Oscar nomination for her role in “The Last Showgirl” (currently in theaters), where she portrays Shelly, an aging burlesque performer. Shelly is naïve and flawed, desperately trying to hold onto her dwindling Las Vegas show while attempting to mend her relationship with her estranged daughter, played by Billie Lourd.

Anderson, now 57, expresses, “If I hadn’t lived my life the way I did, I wouldn’t have portrayed her in the same way.” She caught director Gia Coppola’s attention from her 2023 documentary, “Pamela, A Love Story.” Anderson’s career is experiencing a revival, with nominations for best actress from the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards, plus upcoming films alongside Elle Fanning (“Rosebush Pruning”) and Liam Neeson (“The Naked Gun”).

This period has been introspective for the legendary sex symbol, who starts her days at 5 AM to write in her journal.

On a recent Tuesday, she shared, “I was reflecting on the brink of the unknown, because that’s where I feel I am right now, which is a wonderfully exhilarating place to be,” during a Zoom call from her hotel in New York’s Upper East Side. Later, she took a walk in Central Park and visited a tree she adopted in 2022 in tribute to her two sons, Brandon (28) and Dylan (27), from her marriage to Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe.

“I adopted it when I portrayed Roxie in ‘Chicago’ on Broadway,” she reminisces. “I even got a plaque for them that reads, ‘Dreams do come true.’ ”

Anderson speaks with YSL News about “Last Showgirl,” her experiences as a mother, and her feelings toward Hulu’s “painful” miniseries “Pam & Tommy.”

Question: When you were young, you aimed to either become a nun or a showgirl. Does this film feel like one of those dreams is coming to fruition?

Answer: (Laughs.) I really did! The concept of solitude intrigued me, and there’s definitely a part of me that is quite nunnish. Believe it or not, I embody both facets. I realized that you have to have faith in yourself before others will have faith in you. I started to get caught up in what others thought, which led me to strip everything down: I wanted to reconnect with who I was without dressing for others. I aimed to stop living as characters in my personal life and instead embrace them on film or stage. It’s fascinating to feel like I’m just starting out in my career at this age.

During your time on “Baywatch,” did you ever communicate to your team your desire to pursue dramatic roles and arthouse films?

Definitely. However, I was surrounded by those with a more commercial outlook who weren’t open to my interests in the literature or films that inspired me. I also doubted it was feasible. I thought, “I’m fortunate to be on the beach and earning a paycheck. I’d be here with my dog regardless.” I recall “Barb Wire” starting as an intriguing dark comedy, but then it was altered for commercial appeal, and I lost track of what the film was actually about. Circumstances evolve, and you can easily get swept along with them.

Many people seemed to only want to see me in shows like “Baywatch” and “V.I.P.” I did a brief stint on “Stacked” because it offered a good schedule for being with my kids: it was a sitcom with shorter shooting days, allowing me to attend their baseball games. However, I wasn’t fully invested in it since it wasn’t what I originally signed up for – there was too much emphasis on making fun of my body. Eventually, I decided to take a long break (for many years). I thought to myself, “I need to explore other options because this isn’t truly me.”

That’s when Brandon suggested, “We should create a documentary about your life.” I’m really thankful he did because it marked the beginning of people recognizing me in a different light and offering me new roles. While I was in my garden, contemplating, “I want to make my life beautiful regardless of the circumstances. Perhaps I’ll open a flower shop,” a script came into my life, and I thought, “Alright, I can always do that later.”

What have you discovered about yourself while playing Shelly? Were you able to reflect on any past experiences with new understanding?

You could spend hours in therapy or chatting with your best friend, but nothing compares to an art project for healing certain parts of yourself. I had so much compassion for the character; there isn’t a single perfect way to be a parent, right? The mother-daughter storyline really struck a chord with me, especially now that I have two adult sons and sometimes find myself apologizing (to them). Your children are experiencing the same challenges you’re facing, many times without us even realizing it. This understanding has allowed me to have meaningful conversations with my boys, and our relationship has grown significantly. It’s always been tough for them to see their mother being objectified, which is why I’ve emphasized the importance of discussing feelings with them.

Your sons have shown immense support for you, especially throughout these past few years. What do you value most in your relationship with them?

I’m incredibly fortunate as a mom, but I’ve often felt a sense of guilt over how protective they are of me. I wish our family had stayed whole; it’s something I’ve never fully come to terms with, and I carry that with me. Nowadays, my focus is on my work and ensuring my beautiful kids understand, “Mom, we just want you to be yourself and achieve your dreams.” And I feel exactly the same way about them. I don’t want to burden them with my issues. I want them to live their lives to the fullest, with all the highs and lows, mistakes, and whatever paths they choose in their careers, without worrying about me.

Considering all you’ve been through with tabloids, how does it feel to be viewed as a trailblazer now in your career?

I’ve definitely taken an unconventional path to arrive here. I’ve experienced tough times where my responses weren’t necessarily the best. Nonetheless, I feel very grateful to be in this position now; things could have easily slipped away from me. It’s crucial to recognize the opportunities that come your way. You need to find moments of quietness to anticipate what lies ahead. And when those opportunities present themselves, you must seize them.

Do you feel that people still find it difficult to accept that women can embody both the nun and the showgirl: being both sexy and intelligent?

I don’t know. I’m not judgmental, but I do see an abundance of hypersexual films out there. It’s empowering that we can express our own sexuality, yet I also feel a sense of protectiveness. I have navigated this lifestyle; I’ve dealt with Playboy; I’ve watched others take different paths, and I’ve mentored women who sought guidance to prevent.

Finding my footing again has been a journey. It’s been challenging, and the industry remains tough. I admire other women in this field, like Demi Moore, who have also worked hard to earn their place. Female actors often have different pathways compared to their male counterparts, and it’s essential to maintain integrity, safeguard oneself, and not lose hope. I am genuinely grateful to be in this moment of my life—the happiest I’ve ever been.

Which directors do you dream of collaborating with next?

There are so many: I admire Sean Baker, Wim Wenders, and Quentin Tarantino. A long time ago, I nearly worked with Quentin, but I got overwhelmed. He remains on my wishlist—I definitely need to seize that opportunity!

What project was that?

It was “Grindhouse.” I expressed my concerns about being killed off on screen because I had young kids. He reassured me, saying, “You’ll be the only one who survives.” We had a discussion, but I ended up skipping the meeting. At that time, paparazzi were relentless—one of those moments where I just kept driving to escape them. Fear was my excuse not to go in. But I’m in a different place now; my children are grown, and I have fewer distractions.

Focusing on vanity can feel like a trap. I’m enjoying this time of freedom to present myself as I am. Honestly, nobody is judging me for not wearing makeup! We often place too much pressure on ourselves and tend to be our harshest critics.

You’ve released both a documentary and a memoir—would you ever think about creating a film or miniseries about your life? Perhaps reclaim the narrative from “Pam & Tommy”?

I don’t see that happening; it would probably be dull. I never watched that show and had no involvement in it. I was pretty taken aback that someone could create a story about me without my consent. I learned about it while working on the documentary and was shocked to see them revisit such a painful period in my life—something I’ve worked hard to move past. Honestly, I don’t think I fully moved on; the last few decades have left their scars on me. I spent a lot of time writing poetry and reflecting, but I wasn’t content. I was lost, trying to sort out my path.

Ultimately, everything turned out fine, but it’s not something I wish to revisit. That chapter is behind me, and I’m stronger now because of it.