Pamela Anderson Felt "Slightly Exploited" by HGTV

Pamela Anderson at Good Morning America on March 23, 2022 in New York City

(Image credit: Getty)

published 9 November 2023

Over the course of her career, Pamela Anderson has dealt with a ton of exploitation in different forms.

But these days, the actress, 56, is determined to empower herself to take control of her own life—starting with season 2 of her home renovation show, Pamela's Garden of Eden.

Season 1 of the show first aired on HGTV and Hulu in 2022, and season 2 was released recently. The series follows Anderson's life away from the Hollywood glitz and glamour, as she creates her own personal paradise on Vancouver Island, renovating her grandmother's property.

You may like

"The first season, I was a bit of a mess. It was not my favorite time of life. I was in survival mode while writing my memoir [Love, Pamela], the documentary [Pamela: A Love Story] was being made, and I was an open wound when it was being shot. I just wasn't that happy with it," the star told People.

"The second season is about redemption, authenticity, truth and self-acceptance. I'm taking my power back, instead of giving it up. I took control of the show and figured out a way to keep to my vision, and turn it into a positive experience. I kept it real."

Pamela Anderson attends the Victoria Beckham Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 29, 2023 in Paris, France.

Anderson went on to explain that she didn't feel the production process had been transparent towards her, and that she didn't realize how much it would end up delving into her past, rather than focusing on home design.

"Before, I was thinking it was a little HGTV Canada show and that it was going to just be about sustainable design. I was wrong, unfortunately, and once again I felt slightly exploited," she admitted.

"I was allowing others to make decisions. I had no idea they’d use old photos or ex-husbands, or any of my celebrity life. It always is shocking that that part of me seems interesting at all, when I felt my weakest and my worst. Anyway, that was then and this is now."

Anderson is prioritizing her definition of happiness these days—including owning the no-makeup glow—and it's really inspiring to witness from afar.

"I’ve learned not to rush things, to focus on the gardens while my sons figure out the buildings. I’m in a happy place, Surrounded by flowers, trees and dogs..." she told People. "And making pickles!"

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.