Why Lily James says her transformation into Pamela Anderson was 'liberating'

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Cinderella star Lily James has opened up about what it was like to film her upcoming series Pam & Tommy, revealing that the intense transformation process into nineties icon Pamela Anderson was "liberating".

Speaking in a cover star interview with Net-A-Porter, Lily got real about how she was transformed into Pamela for the much-anticipated series (which airs in the UK on Disney+ next month). "Slowly, our incredible team found a balance where I resembled Pamela but also felt like I could act through it," the Pursuit of Love actor explained, noting that she got up at 3am every day for a four hour makeup session which involved putting on a chest plate, fake tan and a wig.

"I've never done anything where I look very different from myself before. And I'd really like to continue in this vein, because I felt there was something very freeing and liberating in it," she continued. "There was a bravery that came from that. A courage that came from… disappearing."

But the hours-long transformation to become the Baywatch star started long before Lily stepped on set, with the 32-year-old admitting she's "never worked so hard" to prepare for a role. "I read the books [Anderson] has written, I read her poetry, I can parrot along to all her interviews," she added.

Despite the intense makeup sessions and lengthy preparations, Lily pointed out that she actually missed playing Pamela when filming came to an end. "It was like being stripped of all these superpowers!" she admitted. "I'd really enjoyed the physicality and the sensuality, even down to the long fingernails. There was just so much character to hold on to — it was really thrilling."

We! Can't! Wait!

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