Anderson stars in the 100% Aerie Real campaign, a promise to never use AI-generated bodies or people in its marketing
NEED TO KNOW
- Pamela Anderson partnered with Aerie for its 100% Aerie Real campaign, a promise to never use AI-generated bodies or people in its marketing
- “Nothing can replace human beings,” the actress and activist tells PEOPLE
- Anderson also opened up about feeling like she’s “still scratching my way” into the film industry
By the time I join a video call with Pamela Anderson around noon, she's already gone for a walk and baked bread. Later that day, she's planning to start her garden for the season.
"The ground was frozen, but I'm still putting my potatoes in today," she says. "I can't wait any longer."
When she's not filming on location, Anderson, 58, lives a quiet life in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and spends her time cooking, gardening and writing.
"I'm an analog girl," she says. "I love the record player. I've got my radio on. I really make a conscious effort to pave my own way."
It made complete sense for Anderson to partner with Aerie for its 100% Aerie Real campaign, a promise to never use AI-generated bodies or people in its marketing. "Building on the legacy of #AerieREAL and its mission to put inclusivity and authenticity first, this next chapter reinforces Aerie’s commitment to transparency with its community," says the brand in a press release.
"Nothing can replace human beings," the actress tells PEOPLE. "Unless AI wants to start becoming imperfect like human beings, it'll never have the romance of a performance that's soulful and fearless. There's just no way to mimic that because we're all so different."
Credit: Courtesy Adrian Martin
Anderson says working with Aerie was "such a fun and enlightening experience."
The campaign video opens with the actress' voice issuing commands into the AI ether as models populate onto the screen in response. Receiving flat, unrealistic results, she begs the tool for authenticity and realness. Suddenly, the artificial scene dissolves, and the models come “alive” as they're joined by Anderson in a living, breathing Aerie set.
"I like to engage with people when it comes to new, provocative ideas and ways to express that," says the star, who notes that working with a female director (Gemma Warren) was a key part of the project. "I just love that they're doing this and taking a risk."
Anderson herself is no stranger to risk. She began reclaiming her narrative in 2023 with her bestselling memoir Love, Pamela and a documentary, Pamela, A Love Story. That same year, she kicked off her newfound makeup-free lifestyle at Paris Fashion Week.
In the time since, she's launched a skincare line, Sonsie, and taken on complex acting roles (her turn as an aging Las Vegas showgirl in Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl earned her a slew of accolades), with more coming down the pipeline. Next, she's slated to star in Love Is Not the Answer, a comedy directed by Michael Cera, and the dark satire film Rosebush Pruning.
Credit: Courtesy Adrian Martin
"I still feel like I'm kind of scratching my way in there," she says of the film industry. "I feel like I'm in the fight. I've still got to prove myself, and that's kind of a good place to be. I have no expectations and I'm not taking this kind of second whirl around for granted."
Anderson continues, "I really want to work hard and see what I'm made of. I don't want to take the easy route. I don't want to be driven by money or ease of anything. I want to take on very challenging roles and just keep on working with people that want to work with me. I've got to ride this wave. I don't know where it's going to end up, but every day something new comes up and I think, 'What do I feel in my gut?'"
Credit: Courtesy Adrian Martin
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The Baywatch alum takes a similar approach when it comes to her personal style.
"I'm not dressing for other people," she explains. "I'm dressing for myself and I look the way I want to look."
The star recently chopped her signature long blonde hair, and after a brief stint as a redhead for a role, she's currently sporting a chic blonde bob.
"I'll never go long again," she says of the new style.
While she admits that "getting older is funny," Anderson says she wants to be "be that fun, joyful woman."
"I never want to become bitter or jaded," she reflects. "I just want to enjoy every day … I really feel there's freedom, especially in this age. I think we shouldn't be afraid of getting older."
"I mean, look what's going to happen," the actress laughs as she gestures toward herself. "You're just going to have a good time."
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