Vogue CS in EnglishPamela Anderson: Vogue CS's Exclusive Interview
Martin Hradecký15. 5. 2019
Pamela Anderson. The name is a symbol. It means desire because its wearer was on the cover of Playboy several times. It means security because, as the one of the stars of Baywatch, she rescued men of all generations from drowning (who then drowned in erotic dreams, which she often entered wildly). Today, the name is a social and political symbol. Pamela is a committed, radical woman fighting on many fronts.
First of all, thank you for shooting with us. It was great fun. It's like we all fell in love. And then you paid for dinner for everyone.
You worked harder than me. It was my pleasure.
After we had a little party.
I definitely needed to have some fun. We have to balance our lives. I wake up every day determined to help people. But we must refuel with fun. Make activisim fun. And glamorous.
Foto: Dan Beleiu
Pamela Anderson fotí ve Francii na obálku Vogue CS
Is that why you brought a dog with you?
I was happy to bring Zeus on the shoot. Merci. He was très chic in that scarf. Was it Hermès? Chanel?
Do you party often?
Not exactly. But I wanted to celebrate with my new friends and I love Cassis. It was such a fun day. And I loved the house you rented. Private and wild.
What are you doing right now?
I just finished my coffee. I’ve brought Zeus to the salon for the day after a nice morning swim. I have many interviews. The (European Parliament) elections are in May. And I want (Zeus) to have a fun day with other dogs and not stare at me on my phone all day. He always tries to nudge it out of my hand, my baby.
What do you like to give to others?
My attention. My love. My broken thoughts. The truth.
What type of humor do you enjoy? What makes you laugh-out-loud?
I love honesty. Raw conversations. They are very important. Even if you'rerolling on the floor, trying to find your words covered in glitter. This feels funny and honest as you discover things in the moment and feel new feelings. And laugh.
And what’s not fun at all?
The world is suffering a lot. It’s a difficult time. It’s just not fair how some have so much and most have so little.
Did you read Moby's tweet after the Notre Dame fire? He wrote that he wanted people to care for the burning rainforests as much as they do about burning cathedrals. What do you think about that?
You just have to read my Twitter and see my feelings on this.
@pamfoundation 19. 4. 2019
I billion € to rebuild the Notre Dame already raised.
That was easy.
Merci billionaires.
I thought the Catholic Church had enough money.
Thriving by the wishful tidings of the poor.
Charity can be double-edged. It feels like some celebrities are doing it to look good on the outside. It'smainly about their egos.
Exactly.
You are probably the most famous supporter of PETA. I read that becoming their face was your idea.
Yes, I wrote to them from the set of Baywatchwanting to help anyway I could. I said “Use Me”. Let me share this attention with something meaningful.
You mentioned the attention. When you talk to men, do they look into your eyes? Do you count the minutes until their attention slips down?
What a naughty question! Every girl wants to feel sexy. I think of myself as a socialist feminist. I love men. I don’t like authority. Be careful who you share your weaknesses with. Some people can’t wait for the opportunity to use them against you.
You are a sex symbol. What is the biggest cliché about being one?
“Sex symbol” is a cliché.
In this context, what do you think about #MeToo?
I don’t think hashtags are as effective as actions. I feel the same about protesting. It’s important. But it’s also important to take action individually in our lives. Even if others aren’t.
Foto: Dan Beleiu
Pamela Anderson jako superhrdinka na obálce Vogue CS
Do you care what other people think about you?
Not really. I just hope I can inspire people to think about the world around them.
This is evident from your tweets. Do you always write exactly what you think?
I try to.
When were you last politically incorrect?
Always. That’s what they tell me.
What do you think of the excessive correctness of today?
It’s boring and isolating.
Have you ever been judged by others for your behavior?
My behavior? (laughs) I'm alive. I’ve had a fun life. We have to remember that we all have layered lives. It’s not easy to judge someone correctly. It’s best to mind yourself. We should judge our politicians. Then we can vote for who resonates the most with the people.
What’s the greatest stupidity that you’ve heard about yourself?
I try not to listen. I realize there is an image of me. That over the years evolved to a kind of cartoon. But people can’t really believe it to be who I really am. It’s hard to accept it. I’m always in a ridiculous battle - to convince people that I have something to say. And even people closest to me try to protect me. “Don’t use this photo it’s too sexy.” “Don’t do this.” “Don’t do that.” Fuck off! Let me be me. I’ll tell you who that is!
Are you afraid of aging?
Well, it’s not the easiest thing. My mother warned me all about it. How one day you’d look in the mirror and not recognize yourself. Your hair would thin (not in my case). My neck would go next, she said. I’m lucky so far but definitely feel it. I don’t want to chase youth. It’s funny how youth chases me. I’m hard to keep up with.
I love your voice. Could you please record a message for the Vogue CS readers?
I don'tlike my voice. But I like to use if for good.
What would you like to tell them?
Europe must take a lead in tackling climate change. That'swhy we need the Green New Deal and it'shappening in the United States with Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, in Europe with European Spring and DiEM25 and hopefully in the UK with the Labour party.
You live in France. It seems like you have abandoned the United States. What do you like about Europe?
I love Europe's diversity: from Ukrainians living in Warsaw to Turkish restaurants in Berlin to North African communities in Paris. It was once ravaged by war — each country hating the next — and now many people can move freely and make lives all across it. America is also a very diverse, immigrant country. But it has never had these deep divisions of nationality and wars between them. But like America, this is now under attack: they want to make a fortress around Europe and force migrants into detention camps. That's why we are fighting to destroy Fortress Europe and stand against discrimination of all kinds.
Why should we think more about our neighbors and less about ourselves?
Honestly, I don't see a difference between them. We are all so inter-connected — more than ever: in a global economy where we communicate across oceans every day. In that kind of world, what happens to our neighbors is a good indication of what could happen to us.If my neighbor is evicted from her home, will they not come for me next? If my neighbor is thrown in jail for speaking out against evil, will they not come for me next? If my neighbor cannot migrate to seek a better life abroad, will the same thing not happen to me in the future?We draw these borders all the time between ourselves and our neighbors — between Britain and Europe, between rich and poor. But all of us are linked together. We need an international movement that recognizes those borders as what they are: dangerous fictions meant to keep us apart.
And is it possible to push for diversity and freedom without leaving the idea of the European Union?
Of course it is. I understand Europe from the bottom-up: a continent of peoples — from Serbians (outside the EU), to Hungarians (outside the Eurozone), to the French (at the heart of the EU). I love these people. I understand the EU from the top-down: a set of institutions designed as a cartel. Our job is to transform the EU into a true European project. That's what DiEM25 is fighting for — a democraticEuropean Union governed from the bottom-up.
@pamfoundation 18. 4. 2019
I look at the world as a family.
Each state is a person.
And there are some “black sheep’s”, bullies among us.
All families have them.
And usually all they need is love, attention and to be heard.
We are stronger together.
Have you ever heard of Czechoslovakia?
Are you really asking me that? I'm not like Jeremy Hunt, the British Foreign Minister who recently said Slovenia is a “Soviet vassal state or like Donald Trump, who confused the Baltic states in Europe with the Balkans. I know my geography!
You once said that your university was Playboy. Who was your professor and what did he teach you?
Hugh Hefner was a pioneer. A visionary. He taught me to paint the picture of the life I wanted and do it without apology.
And what did Vogue teach you?
I loved the clothes. And I’m not good at dressing myself.
@pamfoundation 11. 4. 2019
I am in shock...
I couldn’t hear clearly what he said?
He looks very bad.
How could you Ecuador?
(Because he exposed you).
How could you UK?
Of course, you are America’s bitch and you need a diversion from your idiotic Brexit bullshit.
@pamfoundation 11.4. 2019
Being in the public eye helped him evade rendition, torture or death so far.
We must keep all eyes on him.
Your tweets about Julian Assange's arrest have become a sensation. What made you so angry?
Julian Assange is a hero. We will look back and he will be in the history books as one.
What is your relationship?
We are friends.
How did you meet?
At the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
What were your last words to him?
I don't actually remember. But I will be visiting him in prison soon.
Will Assange get justice?
I hope so.
What is the biggest disease of the contemporary world?
Consumption.
@pamfoundation 11. 4. 2019
And the USA?
This toxic coward of a President
He needs to rally his base?
You are selfish and cruel.
You have taken the entire world backwards.
You are devils and liars and thieves.
And you will ROTT
And
WE WILL RISE.
How can we make America great again?
Stop putting America first.
What bothers you most right now?
Climate change. May I say something without a question?
Of course, please.
I worry about Brexit. In these dark times of rising populism, austerity and climate change, Europe should stay united.
Last question. Why didn't you have panties on during our shoot?
God! Really? It’s a photo shoot, who wears underwear? Plus, you told me not to!