Pamela Anderson, star of 'The Last Showgirl,' reveals that being underestimated her entire career has had its advantages.

Throughout much of her professional life, Pamela Anderson has been characterized as a "sex symbol."

The 57-year-old actress, who has graced many covers of Playboy magazine and made red swimsuits iconic through her role in "Baywatch," admits that she has been underestimated by Hollywood but also acknowledges that she has played a part in the problem.

"During her appearance at the Toronto Film Festival to promote "The Last Showgirl," she admitted that she had underestimated herself."

She emphasized that believing in oneself is crucial for others to have confidence in them.

Anderson's character in the movie mirrors her real-life experiences as a Las Vegas dancer who was pushed out of the industry due to her age. Anderson believes that landing this significant role at this stage in her career was perfectly timed. Last year, Anderson released a documentary titled "Pamela, A Love Story," which offered a glimpse into her personal life beyond the public persona, showcasing a different side of the icon.

"It's as if everything fell into place perfectly. The stars have aligned, making this experience feel like a dream. Watching the movie, I felt like I was in a dream. Doing the movie, it felt like a dream. Now, it's so surreal, like I'm going to wake up and this isn't real, and then I'll be really mad," she joked.

"I am grateful for this opportunity and chance to live the life I've always dreamed of, even though it's been interrupted by life's challenges."

"Earlier, she joked that being in a position where you have nothing to live up to can be a good thing. "You can surprise everyone," she said. "Even with a full sentence, you're a genius! . . . But no, it's timing. I just think timing and having the capacity to focus are important.""

Why do you think Anderson has been overlooked despite her long-standing career in the industry, Gia Coppola, the film's director?

""Being a beautiful woman often results in being typecast, which can be limiting. Actors, on the other hand, are often expected to express a lot and have a lot to offer, but are then pigeonholed into a specific typecast. I appreciate working with actors who are passionate about their craft and want to break free from these limitations, as collaborating with them can be incredibly rewarding," she stated."

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

Coppola also spoke about how she nabbed the actress for her flick.

"I stumbled upon a photo of her and had a gut feeling that you were promoting your documentary. However, I didn't know much about you at the time. Then, my cousin Matt Shire informed me that your Shelly was Pamela, and I watched her documentary. I was convinced that no one else could be her, and I had to find her."

Coppola explained that she initially faced a challenge in obtaining permission from Anderson to continue the story.

Coppola stated that he submitted the script to her old agent, but it was rejected within an hour. However, he was able to find a way through Brandon Lee, his son, to get the script to her.

Anderson has since signed with a new agency.

"Pamela was the only one who could have played this role," Coppolla stated.