Pamela Anderson's Stolen Sex Tape Scared Hugh Hefner

Crystal Hefner, the third and final wife of the late Playboy founder, reveals in her memoir that Hugh Hefner was "scared" after Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's stolen sex tape became public.

Pamela Anderson's iconic status as a "sex symbol" has often overshadowed her true talents and ambitions. Despite gracing countless covers of Playboy magazine and immortalizing the red swimsuit on "Baywatch," Anderson admits that she has been underestimated in Hollywood.

In a recent interview with Variety, Anderson acknowledged that she has played a part in perpetuating her own image. "I underestimated myself, too," she said. "I think that you got to believe in yourself for others to believe in you."

Pamela Anderson's Stolen Sex Tape Scared Hugh Hefner

Anderson's self-awareness extends to her career trajectory. She believes that the timing of her latest film, "The Last Showgirl," has worked in her favor. "Everything just came at the right time," she said. "The stars have really aligned."

The film follows a Las Vegas dancer who is pushed out of the industry due to her age, a situation that parallels Anderson's own experiences. She confides that securing a role of this magnitude at this stage of her career was an unexpected gift.

Pamela Anderson's Stolen Sex Tape Scared Hugh Hefner

"Having nothing to live up to is kind of a good position to be in," she joked. "You can surprise everybody. Even with a full sentence, you're a genius!"

Director Gia Coppola, who cast Anderson in the film, echoes this sentiment. She believes that Anderson's beauty has often overshadowed her true potential as an actress. "I feel like being a beautiful woman, you get typecasted in a way," Coppola said. "And I'm so drawn to actors, in general, that I feel like they have to express so much more and have so much more to themselves, but then get pigeonholed into this typecast."

Pamela Anderson's Stolen Sex Tape Scared Hugh Hefner

Coppola also revealed that she initially faced resistance from Anderson's former agent when she wanted to cast her in the film. It was only through Anderson's son, Brandon Thomas Lee, that Coppola was able to get the script to her.

Anderson's journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. She has become a symbol of both female beauty and vulnerability. Through her recent documentary, "Pamela, A Love Story," and now her role in "The Last Showgirl," she continues to shed light on the complexities of her life and career.

Pamela Anderson's Stolen Sex Tape Scared Hugh Hefner