The Hollywood Reporter - Pamela Anderson: 'Malibu Might Be My Mayberry'

Writing for THR, the actress reflects on her first house there and explains why she still calls it home.
This story first appeared in the June 20 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
 
I am prone to Malibu. Coming from Vancouver Island to Hollywood hastily, I was drawn to the water for my sanity. (Not sure if it worked.) My first introduction was to a two-part beach house owned by Jon Peters in the Colony. It felt like a starlet's wet dream. I could picture myself there forever. But truth be told, while on Baywatch, I lived humbly on Point Dume (surfers' paradise). Then fate like a lightning rod led me astray, and I ended up in a rock star's mansion on Kanan Road, where my beautiful boys [Brandon Thomas and Dylan Jagger, now 18 and 16] were born in the bathtub. We were harassed continuously by mad paparazzi till we fought and the laws were changed.
 
We leased in the Colony on the beach for five years till we found a strange woman in our guest room sawing through her wrist with sea glass while stuffed into one of my Baywatch bathing suits. We quickly bought on the super-secure "land side" -- and have been under construction ever since.
That's Malibu: very exciting but difficult, almost impossible to build between a lagoon and an ocean, lots of rules, but good for our sacred coastline. The Glass Jewel (my guest house) is being built slowly and surely. It's worth the view: We can check First Point from the roof deck.
 
Our family is now living between the beach and Vegas. I'm developing the show Pamela with David LaChapelle and Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls. Luckily, our family loves both places. My boys are big surfers but also golfers; my oldest son deejays, and my husband [film producer Rick Salomon] is a wild gambler; his girls are music lovers and love to shop at MAC, where I still get 100 percent off (thanks to my Viva Glam campaign). We all love being together, the modern Brady Bunch. It's challenging, a juggle, but it works.
 
I promised I would never sell my little trailer, one of my saving graces, in Paradise Cove. It's their youth, their best friendships, very Stand by Me. The real Malibu, firemen and lifeguards and their families -- a secret spot, not goofy or spoiled. A great place to raise kids -- and surf!
 
Malibu might be my uninhibited, free-spirited Mayberry. It's a very generous community; our blessed, talented and hardworking neighbors use their good fortune to help others in the world, past the organic gardens and geo-fencing. Forward-thinking environmentalists and vegan animal lovers are abundant, though I think envied and therefore judged. But I know a concerned group dwells here, writing songs in their basements and building schools in Haiti.
 
There is an undeniable energy. The ocean (within a lot of recovery) has drawn us all together -- if only to get the "white gold" secret smoothie at SunLife Organics, my favorite. See you there.
 
Anderson launched The Pamela Anderson Foundation at the Cannes Film Festival and begins shooting Werner Herzog's Vernon God Little in September.
 

60th Taormina Film Festival

Thank you Tiziana / thank you Taormina- I am so pleased to accept an award on behalf of my own foundation.
I am honored that the work we've done to date merits such a flattering mention.
I have been an activist most my life. The entertainment industry has given me the opportunity to have a voice which I am truly grateful for.
The Pamela Anderson Foundation Embodies everything I am. So hope that leaves you smiling. I will work endlessly supporting those on the front lines - the hard workers,  the warriors - the angels -the goddesses/
Empowering the women of our time -
with Empathy
And love. I promise you-
I have unique ideas.
To reach in unsuspecting places.
To make a difference for the vulnerable.
Let's share our stories.- through personal conversations , through movies, and art.
Let's not be quick to judge each other. You never know where someone has been.
I have a wish- Maybe,
I will see you again.
Recognized as an Artist.- maybe an accomplished international Actress?
We can all dream big.
Thank you.
Ti amo Taormina.

x

Hello Everyone,

Part 1
Hello Everyone,
Sorry about the venue change -
But I think I like this better. La plage gold - blonde beach?
It's meant to be.
This is going to be good. The start of another crazy adventure-
Welcome-  to the next chapter of my life...
I am so happy to finally launch PAF -The Pamela Anderson Foundation -strange reading your own name out loud. Even stranger
that I feel now - might be the time to reveal some of my most painful memories.
At the risk of over exposing myself...again
possibly being inappropriate...again.
I thought I might share with you- events that
In surviving -drove me to this point...right now.
I did not have an easy childhood--
Despite loving parents-
I was molested from age 6-10 by my female babysitter-
I went to a friends boyfriends house - while she was busy. The boyfriends older brother decided he would teach me backgammon which led into a back massage which led into rape- my first heterosexual experience. He was 25 yrs old- I was 12-
My first boyfriend
in grade 9  decided it would be funny to gang rape me
(with 6 of his friends)
Needless to say I had a hard time trusting humans-
I just wanted off this earth.
My parents tried to keep me safe- but to me - the world was not a safe place - my dad - an alcoholic- my mom worked 2 jobs waitressing --
my mom was always crying--
Dad didn't always come home leaving us in tremendous pain
and worry.
I couldn't bare to give her any more disruptive information.
I couldn't break her heart any more than it was breaking.
I kept these events to myself -
Sometimes when you smile,
it's not because your happy. It's because your strong. (Her words)
My affinity with animals
Saved me- they came to me naturally.
The trees spoke to me.
I wasn't sure why I was alive.
A burning question -
a quest -
My loyalty remained with the animal kingdom- I vowed to protect them and only them- I prayed to the whales with my feet in the ocean. My only real friends -till I had children.
Then I realized humanity is suffering..
Our children are born perfect.
We were all struggling with right and wrong -and why?
Baywatch was a turning point for me. Reluctantly famous (in over 150 countries)  I tried to make sense of my place on earth. I started to realize - while being interviewed endlessly about silly things. That I had a Voice!!!
I contacted PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals)
I asked them for information to share in these interviews about any animal issue in that country. Dan Mathews Vice President of PETA and I -
became Partners in Crime.
We have endless stories. -
Too many to mention here-
We have changed animal welfare laws all over the world -
And - over the last 20 years
I've spoken to press, parliament, presidents, kings, queens,
I've had the ear and admiration of people like Castro,
and... Crazy enough-  Putin?
There must be away to use this for good. Hmmm. Well,
Russia stopped the importation of seal products - which closed 90 percent of the market.
I know what I'm good at-
I'm brilliant at connecting people. --Communicating,
l live a sensual life.
Sensitive and rewarding.
This is the platform I will use.
Compassion. LOVE-
Now tonight-
I chose backgammon for a few reasons - I love gambling ~gamblers-- It can be an elegant thought provoking game--
And- it gets peoples off their cell phone ...
...Human interaction.
Among interesting people.
Maybe - something good will be born here. A connection.
...Relationships made.
Speaking of gamblers.
I wanted to thank my husband for being my angel.
My biggest donor?
The only man (besides my boys) that I trust. (I've always trusted him).
His word means something.
He would never let me down-
Maybe- only himself.
He says - His way of helping the world to be a better place -
is caring for me- protecting me - making me happy.
I am so proud of him -
He has come a Long way-

I love you Brandon, Hunter. Thank you for being here-
My little family.
Thank you for being a part
of this misfits revolution.
I hope to help alleviate
some of the suffering in the world.
And ...
be a good example to those around me--
Where ever I am.
Now
Please sign up for the tournament.
Good luck.

Part 2
Hope everyone is having a good time. Thank you again for being here. Now~
I am thrilled to introduce a woman who has had a brilliant - meaningful impact on the planet. In so many ways.
A kindred spirit.
Comrade in arms.
Freedom Fighter.
We met while fighting for Leonard Peltier's release. And  - the rest unfolded naturally. She told me "she didn't have to draw me a map"?-  We have become great friends and have similar passions-
Please join me - (take notes I always do.) In welcoming the goddess of Justice, art, culture,
all good things for the planet,
the infamous
Vivienne Westwood.

Part 3

It has been a pleasure -
I'm so happy with the result of tonight
And- this is just the beginning.
More fun, interesting, bonding events to come.
We have raised 100s of thousands of dollars.
.. Thank you.
I will go to work now.
Very Exciting.
And- Please
Check out
Vivienne Westwood's Active Resistance blog...(on line)
Maybe instead of watching internet porn,
Kiss your wife,
know where your children are.
Embrace intimacy.
Don't be afraid.
Go to a museum,
Think positive thoughts.
The world can be a safe and thriving place, If we all do our part - find a cause you believe in.
Support us - so we can support those on the front lines.
My foundation is dedicated to doing just that.
Thank you for your support,
your donations,
Thank you -thank you -thank you.
Tread lightly on this earth.
And -chew with your mouth closed please
Goodnight every one...

 

Tan Wangeng, President China Southern Airlines

The Pamela Anderson Foundation
February 12, 2014
Tan Wangeng
President China Southern Airlines
139 Quay St.
Auckland, New Zealand


Dear Mr. Tan:
I am writing to urge you to have a heart for animals this Valentine’s Day and stop shipping monkeys to their deaths in laboratories.
Having recently learned from my friends at PETA that China Southern Airlines is one of only two major airlines in the world that still ships monkeys to laboratories, I spotted a China Southern plane when I flew into Auckland Airport earlier this week and couldn’t help but wonder whether any terrified monkeys were on board.
You may not be aware that after being torn from the wild or rounded up at dreadful breeding farms, the monkeys you ship from China to laboratories in the U.S. and elsewhere end up imprisoned in tiny, desolate laboratory cages, where they are cut open, addicted to drugs, infected with debilitating diseases, intentionally poisoned, and crippled in cruel experiments.
They are driven insane by constant terror, pain, loneliness, and boredom. When they’re no longer useful to experimenters, they’re killed. This abuse is only possible as long as airlines such as China Southern are willing to ship monkeys in order to keep the cages full at these deadly destinations.
I hope China Southern will join virtually every other airline in the world—including Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Qantas, United Airlines, Korean Air, and Lufthansa—in showing compassion by ending shipments of primates. Until then, as a frequent traveler, I will avoid flying your airline and am also encouraging my friends, family members, and fans to do the same.


Sincerely,
Pamela Anderson

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

The Pamela Anderson Foundation
January 22, 2014

The Honorable Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister of Israel

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
I had the great pleasure of visiting Israel last week, where I hiked Masada to see the sunrise, soaked in the Dead Sea, and traveled to the Western Wall and the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. The experience was moving and has changed my life. As an honorary director for PETA, I am especially thrilled to know that your country is considering a bill to ban the sale of fur, similar to legislation passed in West Hollywood, California. I’m writing to urge you to do everything in your power to help pass this historic bill, which has been signed by 40 members of the Knesset and includes an exemption for religious purposes. You once said, “With my responsibility as prime minister to protect the lives of people here, I feel committed to increase awareness to fight cruelty toward animals.” Please take a few moments to watch this video, which shows undercover footage of animals who were bludgeoned, electrocuted, and even skinned alive for their fur. I hope you’ll agree that the way in which animals suffer and die for fur violates Jewish principles, which strictly prohibit causing animals unnecessary suffering. There's so much violence among humans that is so difficult to stop, but passing a ban on fur is one easy way to eliminate some of the senseless violence that we inflict on animals. The fur industry is trying desperately to stop this bill. Mr. Prime Minister, please use your influence to spread a message of kindness toward all living beings by showing your support for this bill. By passing this piece of legislation, Israel would set an example of compassion for the rest of the world to follow. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to have the honor of meeting you in person someday.

Sincerely,
Pamela Anderson