When Pamela Anderson was diagnosed with hepatitis C in the late ’90s, there was no cure.
“It was a death sentence. That’s what my doctor told me — that I probably had around 10 years to live,” the “Baywatch” star recalled in a moving speech at the amfAR Gala in Venice. “I’m sure that colored and corrupted my decisions. It was not fear of death, but fear of what might happen to my young children. It turned my life inside out.”
Fortunately, in 2011, a cure for the viral infection was found. By 2015, Anderson was “hep C free,” she said — though “it took everything I had in my bank” to pay for treatment — and on Sunday night, she was honored with amfAR’s Award of Courage. The nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic, has also worked on hepatitis C research and advocacy as it is a common co-infection for people living with HIV.
“But my experience of shame and guilt was also an unconscious journey. It stays with me; it haunts me,” she continued. “And just like the sexual abuse that I endured as a child, it felt like it was carved into my forehead: Damaged goods. And I presented myself as such.”
Though Anderson said she still hasn’t “fully recovered” from the news of her diagnosis, she has perhaps “finally come to terms” with it and has now used it to fuel her career resurgence, one that has seen her take on daring and critically acclaimed roles in films like “The Last Showgirl,” “The Naked Gun,” “Rosebush Pruning” and “Place to Be,” which premieres at Venice Film Festival on Wednesday.
“My truth has come through my work, finding ways to express myself through the arts. It gave me the ammunition I needed, a fertile life to use and play in,” Anderson concluded. “I’m not a victim, I’m a victor. I am strong and capable, more now than I could ever dream of … I’m not the damsel in distress, no matter how easy that role is to play.”
Sunday night’s gala, presented by World Gold Council and taking place at the Hilton Molino Stucky, was hosted by Taika Waititi and also honored performance artist Marina Abramović with the Award of Inspiration. After an opening performance from “House on Fire” and “Red Flags” singer Mimi Webb, iconic auctioneer Simon de Pury kicked off a night of heated bidding for items including an Andy Warhol “Flowers” painting, which sold for €160,000 ($185,000) ; a stunning pair of Chopard earrings with pink and blue sapphires, which sold for €140,000 ($162,000) to “Ferrari” producer Monika Bacardi; and an exclusive visit to the “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” set in New Zealand, including a meet and greet with Andy Serkis, Anya Taylor-Joy and Kate Winslet, which sold for €90,000 ($104,000).
But the big-ticket item was donated by Abramović herself, who was presented the Award of Inspiration by none other than Orlando Bloom. “For more than five decades, Marina has fearlessly pushed the boundaries of the body, the mind and human endurance, profoundly expanding our understanding of what art can be,” the actor said with admiration.
Abramović’s lot was anchored by a digital art piece titled “Slow Walking,” a video featuring the celebrated artist pacing back and forth for eternity in a bespoke LED frame. However, that wasn’t all — Abramović also offered a lunch cooked by her in her private Manhattan apartment, as well as a tutorial in her mysterious “Abramović Method.” After an exciting few minutes of bidding — during which Abramović casually ate the dessert that had just been served — a man in a swanky striped jacket emerged victorious with an offer of €500,000 ($580,000) for the total package. Thrilled, Abramović leapt out of her seat to greet the generous (and wealthy) gentleman who she would soon be serving lunch to.
With the most expensive item successfully auctioned, it was time for the amfAR guests to celebrate. Bebe Rexha turned out to be the perfect performer for the occasion, belting her hits “In the Name of Love” and “New Religion” in a black sequined gown before going down into the crowd to sing “I’m Good (Blue).”
“C’mon amfAR, put your hands up!” Rexha yelled as attendees leapt out of their seats and got loose. As she made her way through a sea of perfectly-set tables, Rexha danced and twirled around with guests — including “Glee” star Nolan Funk — and paused to take photos with anyone who asked. The energy was so contagious that she asked the DJ to run it back and sang “I’m Good (Blue)” one more time, declaring: “This is the afterparty, let’s go!”
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