Pamela Anderson, 57, Who Stepped Away from the Spotlight, Explained Why She Gave up Makeup — Before & After Pics

Toward the end of 2023, Pamela Anderson made waves again, this time by stepping out without makeup, sparking conversation and curiosity. Her choice reflects a shift in how she sees herself, moving away from her iconic image and embracing a simpler, more natural look.

Over the years, Pamela Anderson has experienced many transformations, but this latest one has stirred the internet. After decades of being known for her glamorous public image, she is now embracing a more natural, authentic side. Her decision to forgo makeup is just one part of a larger shift in how she wants to live her life.

This change marks a significant departure from the image that once catapulted her to fame. Long before she chose to step away from using makeup and the limelight, Anderson's rise to stardom was as striking as her bold public persona.

Pamela Anderson's Rise to Fame: From Football Game to 'Baywatch' Icon

Anderson's journey to stardom began with an unexpected moment at a British Columbia Lions football game. A stadium camera caught her on screen, and the crowd's enthusiastic reaction resulted in her being invited to the field.

This moment launched her into local fame, eventually earning her a contract with Labatt's Beer as their Blue Zone girl. Her rise didn't stop there as Playboy soon noticed her, and Anderson appeared on the magazine's cover.

This opened doors to even greater opportunities, and by 1991, she made her TV debut on "Home Improvement" as Lisa, the Tool Time Girl.

It wasn’t long before she captured even more attention, landing the role of C.J. Parker on "Baywatch," which became one of the most-watched shows in the world, cementing her status as a global icon.

Her High-Profile Marriages: The Tommy Lee Connection

While Anderson's career took off quickly, her personal life also became a subject of intense public interest. Over the decades, her love life has been as much a part of the public eye as her career. Her most notable and talked-about relationship was with musician and actor Tommy Lee.

The two met on New Year's Eve in 1994 and famously tied the knot just weeks later in February 1995, on a beach in Cancun, Mexico. Anderson wore a white bikini, and Lee wore board shorts, setting the tone for a whirlwind romance filled with passion and drama.

Their marriage, though tumultuous, was marked by an undeniable connection. Anderson has since admitted the depth of her love for Lee. In her memoir, "Love, Pamela," she reflected on their relationship, saying, "My relationship with Tommy may have been the only time I was ever truly in love."

The pair's intense bond was something she sought to recreate in her subsequent relationships, but she has candidly acknowledged that nothing ever matched what she had with Lee. Despite the deep connection, their relationship was fraught with challenges, and they divorced in 1998.

After Lee, Anderson was married four more times, but she admitted in interviews that many of these relationships felt like mistakes almost immediately after the ceremonies.

Whether she was marrying famous figures like Kid Rock in 2006 or civilians like Vancouver Island local Dan Hayhurst in 2020, Anderson struggled to find the same kind of love and connection she had with Lee.

Her two-time marriage to professional poker player Rick Salomon was also a notable part of her romantic history. Anderson married Salomon twice — first in 2007 and then again in 2014. However, only one of those marriages was legally binding.

Anderson's romantic life also took an unexpected turn in 2020 when she married movie mogul Jon Peters, someone she had known since her early days at the Playboy Mansion.

Their marriage lasted just 12 days, but Anderson has always spoken fondly of Peters, calling him a great influence in her life. In a surprising revelation, Peters later told Variety that he left Anderson $10 million in his will, even though she had no idea.

Throughout her marriages, Anderson remained a self-described romantic, continuously searching for a deep, meaningful connection. However, during an interview in January 2023, she revealed that she had been alone for the last year and loved the experience.

Retreating from the Spotlight: The Stalking Incident

After Anderson's divorce from Lee, she encountered a terrifying experience that would push her further away from the public eye. While living alone in Malibu with her two young sons, Anderson discovered a French teenager squatting in a rarely used room in her home.

The girl was dressed in Anderson's iconic red "Baywatch" swimsuit and had a letter declaring her admiration. In a disturbing twist, as police arrived, the girl attempted to take her own life, though she survived the incident and was deported.

This alarming event left a deep mark on Anderson. It was a wake-up call that made her reconsider her life in the public eye. She began withdrawing from the limelight, choosing to focus on her family, raising her children in a more private environment, and a more introspective phase of her life.

An Advocate for Animal Rights and Environmental Causes

With Anderson's retreat from the spotlight, her passion for activism grew stronger. A lifelong animal lover, Anderson became an outspoken advocate for animal rights, particularly through her work with an organization called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

She dedicated herself to causes that aligned with her beliefs, including adopting a vegan lifestyle and promoting the ethical treatment of animals. One of her most notable efforts was in 2010 when Anderson rescued 50 cats and 30 dogs after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Her commitment to animal welfare even brought her into political circles, where she lobbied high-ranking officials, including Russian politicians, to ban the import of seal products. This advocacy work became a new focus for Anderson, showcasing a side of her that many people didn’t see during her "Baywatch" years.

Despite stepping away from Hollywood, Anderson found fulfillment in her activism, helping to reshape her public image from glamorous icon to compassionate advocate. However, she wasn't done making waves.

Why She Stopped Wearing Makeup

In late 2023, Anderson surprised many when she appeared at Paris Fashion Week without makeup. Known for her bold looks throughout her career, this makeup-free appearance was a clear departure from the image she had carefully maintained over the years.

But for Anderson, the decision wasn't just about her outward appearance — it was about letting go of an identity she no longer felt connected to. Reflecting on this shift, Anderson explained that she was ready to embrace her true self and leave behind the "cartoon character" she felt she had become.

"That was the beginning of me letting go of the image I had always had of myself," she said. The transformation was part of a broader desire to shed the pressures and expectations that had long defined her in the public eye.

By rejecting the traditional beauty standards that once dominated her career, Anderson made a statement about aging, self-acceptance, and personal growth. She explained that, at 57, she no longer needed to maintain the glamorous persona that had once been expected of her.

"I feel so free. I feel great. I feel good in my own skin,” she shared during an interview, underscoring her newfound confidence in embracing a more natural, authentic look.

Public Reaction: Mixed Responses to Her Makeup-Free Look

Anderson's decision to step out without makeup sparked a flurry of reactions, with split opinions on her new look. Some fans praised her for embracing natural beauty, while others were more critical of her appearance, pointing out the visible changes in her face.

Social media was buzzing with comments, reflecting the divided public sentiment. "She looks absolutely radiant ❤️ I condone her for being so brave with her graceful vulnerability," one fan wrote. Another chimed, "Girl, if only I looked that good without makeup. She's gorgeous."

However, not all reactions were positive. "She looks exhausted and tired," one commenter noted, while another suggested, "A little eyeliner and mascara? I feel that others who like this look are shaming women who decide they want to wear cosmetics." One fan added, "Sorry, but I think she looks much older without makeup."

For Anderson, going makeup-free was about challenging conventional beauty standards and redefining what it means to age gracefully. It wasn't about seeking approval but feeling authentic and comfortable in her skin.

Returning to Canada: Finding Peace in Simplicity

After years of living in the spotlight, Pamela Anderson returned to her roots. Feeling disconnected from the image she had crafted over decades in Hollywood, Anderson moved back to her grandparents' farmhouse in Canada.

This shift marked a new chapter in her life, where simplicity and solitude became central to her healing and self-discovery. Reflecting on her return, Anderson described the move as a way to reconnect with herself.

"I felt very sad and lonely," she admitted. "I didn't feel just misunderstood, I felt like I had really screwed up, that my whole life was a bundle of mistakes."

During this period, she found comfort in her garden, a space that became a metaphor for rebuilding her life. Planting seeds and tending to her roses became more than just a hobby; it was a way for her to nurture herself and heal from the pressures of her past.

Anderson shared how living alone in her grandparents' farmhouse allowed her to slow down and reflect. "I live a more romantic life now that I'm alone than I did in relationships," she said.

Her decision to leave the spotlight and return to a simpler life was not just about escaping her old image but finding peace within herself.