Pamela Anderson Reflects on Her Style Evolution and Finding Freedom in Fashion: ‘No Regrets’ (Exclusive)
Pamela Anderson Reflects on Her Style Evolution and Finding Freedom in Fashion: ‘No Regrets’ (Exclusive)
Brittany TalaricoMon, October 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM UTC
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Pamela Anderson poses ahead of the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala on Oct. 17, 2026Credit: Paige Powell -
Pamela Anderson wore Carolina Herrera and nearly 24 carats of Pandora lab-grown diamonds at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala on Oct. 17
Anderson said Pandora jewelry holds special meaning through memories shared with her sons and mother
The actress opened up to PEOPLE about “finding freedom” in her fashion choices and having “no regrets” as she embraces each era of life
Pamela Anderson is embracing the romance of old Hollywood, with a little modern-day sparkle.
The actress stepped out at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 17, wearing a two-piece Carolina Herrera ensemble that paired a crisp white button-down with a voluminous green skirt from the designer’s Spring 2027 runway. She kept her beauty look refreshingly understated, opting for minimal makeup and styled her platinum blonde hair in “Sweet Charity curls,” a reference to the iconic 1969 film Sweet Charity, directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.
Anderson accessorized the look with Pandora lab-grown diamonds, including a custom tennis necklace featuring 19.75 total carats and custom stud earrings totaling 4 carats. The jewelry added a dose of red carpet glamour to her polished yet playful outfit.
“There’s something so romantic about getting dressed up,” she told PEOPLE ahead of the event. “I wanted to embrace that classic Hollywood feeling. I’m always nervous at these types of gatherings. So a little playfulness helps soften the mood. The Pandora lab-grown diamond necklace and earrings bring such a beautiful finishing touch. A little sparkle can completely change how you feel, and I love that.”
Pamela Anderson poses ahead of the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Oct. 17, 2026Credit: Paige Powell
The annual gala, hosted at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, brings together stars from film, music, fashion and beyond to celebrate cinematic achievement while raising money for the museum. For Anderson, the evening offered an opportunity to lean into a style philosophy that has become increasingly personal over the years: embracing glamour without losing sight of herself.
“There’s a real freedom in not feeling like you have to be anything other than who you are,” she shared of her evolving approach to getting dressed. “I still love dressing up and celebrating fashion, but I don’t feel the need to overcomplicate things.”
Pamela Anderson poses ahead of the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala on Oct. 17, 2026Credit: Paige Powell
That balance between timeless elegance and individuality is also what draws Anderson to Pandora’s lab-grown diamonds. As a brand ambassador, the relationship has become about more than accessorizing for the red carpet.
“Pandora feels like family now,” she said. “We’ve been on this wonderful journey together, and they’ve been so supportive of me as an artist, which means a lot.”
The brand has accompanied Anderson through several career milestones, including her first Met Gala and her first Golden Globes nomination, as well as film festival appearances supporting her work in independent films. Among the pieces she holds closest to her heart are the pink lab-grown diamonds she wore to her first Met Gala in 2024.
“The beautiful pink lab-grown diamonds I wore to my first Met Gala will always be so special to me,” she said.
Pamela Anderson attends The 2024 Met GalaCredit: Cindy Ord/MG24/Getty
For Anderson, the meaning behind a piece of jewelry can be just as important as its design. She appreciates Pandora’s use of lab-grown diamonds and recycled precious metals, but it’s the personal stories attached to jewelry that make it truly lasting.
“My sons made me a Pandora charm bracelet, and I made one for my mother,” she said. “Those are the things that stay with you. It’s about memories, love and the people who make something meaningful.”
That sentimental approach extends to the way she styles her pieces. Rather than treating red carpet dressing as a formula, Anderson prefers to follow her instincts and let an outfit come together organically. Sometimes the dress comes first; other times, a piece of jewelry sparks the entire look.
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“I’m actually wearing the same Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds stud earrings I wore to The Naked Gun premiere, and I love finding new ways to wear pieces that already hold special memories,” she said, adding, “I’m sentimental that way.”
Pamela Anderson poses ahead of the 2026 Academy Museum Gala in Los AngelesCredit: Paige Powell
The same philosophy informs her beauty choices. In recent years, Anderson has embraced a more pared-back approach, allowing her natural features and personal style to take precedence over elaborate styling.
“I think I’ve learned to trust myself more,” she said. “I want to enjoy the experience, feel comfortable in my own skin, and have fun with it. Sometimes the simplest things can feel the most beautiful.”
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Growing older has only strengthened that sense of freedom. Although Anderson has long loved fashion, she now feels less pressure to dress for anyone else’s expectations.
“I’ve always loved fashion, but now I feel more freedom to follow my instincts and wear what makes me happy, not just playing the part for others,” she said. “No regrets; now most days I prefer something very simple, and other days I want to embrace a little glamour. I don’t think we need to put ourselves in boxes.”
Pamela Anderson poses ahead of the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala in L.A. on Oct. 17, 2026.Credit: Paige Powell
Her affection for classic Hollywood also continues to inform her choices. Anderson is drawn to the elegance and individuality of the era, particularly the way clothing and accessories could communicate something about the person wearing them. But rather than recreate the past, she prefers to borrow from it.
“There’s something timeless about that kind of glamour, and I think it’s wonderful to bring a little of that spirit into the present, then add a touch of modernity,” she said. “Photograph and film have changed. You can’t just copy the past. But it’s inspiration.”
Looking back at her own red carpet history, Anderson sees fashion as a reflection of the many versions of herself she’s inhabited throughout her life. Each chapter has brought a different perspective, and she appreciates the freedom to evolve rather than remain tied to one particular image.
“I’m happy I’ve lived a lot of lives,” she joked, “and I think every chapter has been reflected in the way I’ve dressed.”
Today, she is enjoying the simplicity that comes with feeling more comfortable in her own skin. And while her approach may be more understated, she hasn’t lost her appreciation for a little sparkle.
“There’s something very beautiful about embracing yourself exactly where you are,” Anderson said. “And now is the time to shine.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
