Lily James opened up about channeling Pamela Anderson for Pam & Tommy during a panel discussion with The Hollywood Reporter.
The 33-year-old actress revealed how a piano helped her prepare for the role and how she wished Pamela could take part in the series, which was filmed without her involvement after several unsuccessful attempts to contact her.
Speaking to fellow actors Rosario Dawson, Sandra Oh, Christina Ricci, Emmy Rossum and Jung Ho-Yeon, James said she used a piano to connect with Pamela’s voice.
Complex: Lily James opened up more about channeling Pamela Anderson for Pam & Tommy during a panel discussion with The Hollywood Reporter
‘Oh it is’: James revealed how she used a piano to connect with Pamela’s voice
“Yeah, the voice was pretty important to me too. I found the note on the piano because it was such a different pitch, so I could almost relate to it from a vocal point of view. But I always feel like the costume fitting is that moment when you’re like, “Oh, that’s it,” she said of the moment she really connected with her character.
Speaking of going on with the show without Pamela’s participation, James said she initially believed the actress would participate in some way.
But when it became clear she wasn’t, James “struggled a lot with everything about the show.”
“It was really difficult, to be honest, especially considering what the show is about [a reframing of Anderson’s story to expose the exploitation and misogyny that she endured],’ She said.
‘It was really difficult’: James said she initially believed the actress would be involved in some way
It takes two: James and Sebastian Stan played iconic ’90s couple Pamela and Tommy Lee on the Hulu series
Taking a stand: Lily said she played an active role in changing certain aspects of the show
“And I really, really believed that she would be involved, for once [I recognized that she] wasn’t, I struggled a lot with everything about the show, from the challenge as an actor to what I was trying to say and my personal reasons for wanting to explore things in it.
Lily said she played an active role in changing certain aspects of the show.
“It felt deeply personal, and I think that’s why I got so fiercely protective. There were a lot of things that I actually changed, moments of the show because it starts off more salacious, but I never wanted it to be like we were taking advantage of it or [just showing a] a lot of sex
“And I wasn’t a producer, but I was listened to – and I realized I always wanted to be a producer. I can’t just stop thinking about a project and say, “OK, next job.” I’m still itching to know how it’s taking shape.”
Connection with Pam: “I always feel like the fitting room is that moment where you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s it,'” James said of morphing into the star
“I wish it was different”: Although James had heard from other actors that it can be liberating not to talk to the real subject before the shoot, she still wished Pamela was there
James also spoke of having to impersonate Pamela without actually being able to speak to her.
Although James had heard from other actors that not talking to the real subject before the shoot can be liberating, she still wished Pamela was there.
“On some shows, actors say it’s actually great not having the person there because you want their imagination to skyrocket and you don’t necessarily want someone breathing down your neck.
“You want to be fair to them, but you also want to be free. But I wish it had been different.”
Tough: Sources close to the actress previously said Pamela was “hurt” by the Hulu series, which focuses on the theft and release of Pamela and ex-husband Tommy Lee’s infamous sex tape in 1995
Leading Ladies: Squid Games’ Rosario Dawson and Jung Ho-yeon were among the stars who made an appearance at the panel
Star Power: Emmy Rossum spoke about her role as Angelyne during the roundtable
Attempts to reach Pamela have been made by various showrunners and James himself, but according to EW, no one has ever heard from the person himself.
“We especially wanted to let Pamela Anderson know that this performance was very positive and that we really cared for her and wanted her to know that the show loves her,” showrunner DV DeVincentis told EW.
“We didn’t get a response, but considering what she was going through and when we reached out, that was understandable.”
Sources close to the actress previously said Pamela felt “hurt” by the Hulu series, which focuses on the theft and release of Pamela and ex-husband Tommy Lee’s infamous sex tape in 1995.
“The series has been very painful for Pamela Anderson and everyone who loves her,” a source told ET. “It’s shocking that this series is allowed to happen without her consent.”
‘The only thing she’d probably delete is this burglary. She still feels so hurt to this day. It brings back a very painful time for her,” the insider added.
Pamela’s friend Courtney Love called the show “disgusting” and “outrageous” and wrote on social media, “My heart goes out to Pammy as she continues to cause her complex trauma.”
Saving a few words for the show’s leading lady, she added, “And shame on Lily James, whoever she is.”
Honesty: Christina Ricci and Sandra Oh spoke about the challenges of acting
Big names: The women graced the cover of the May 25 publication