Pamela Anderson teacts to Beyoncé’s ‘BODYGUARD’ tribute: “I didn’t even know she knew who I was” [VIDEO]

Pamela Anderson’s Humble Response to Beyoncé’s Tribute Sparks Cross-Generational Admiration

Pamela Anderson has always been a cultural icon. However, even she was taken aback by Beyoncé’s homage in the November 2024 “BODYGUARD” visuals. “I didn’t even know she knew who I was,” Anderson admitted during a recent interview with Andy Cohen. The moment, which sparked cross-generational admiration on social media, highlights the ongoing cultural resonance of both women. Additionally, the power of homage to bridge eras.

Beyoncé’s “BODYGUARD” video was released on Election Day 2024. It reimagines several of Anderson’s most iconic looks: the red Baywatch swimsuit, the black leather ensemble from Barb Wire, and the fuzzy pink hat she wore to the 1999 MTV VMAs. Titled “Beywatch,” the video is part tribute, part political call-to-action. That’s a signature blend Beyoncé has mastered over her career, as seen in “Formation” (2016).

What made Anderson’s reaction even more poignant is the humility behind it. Despite her immense cultural impact — Baywatch peaked at over 1.1 billion weekly viewers according to 1990s Nielsen ratings — Anderson confessed she never expected to be acknowledged by someone like Beyoncé.

A Humble Icon Reframed

Pamela Anderson’s status as a pop culture icon is undeniable. Her role as C.J. Parker in Baywatch cemented her place in television history, and her image dominated global media throughout the ‘90s. Yet for years, Anderson’s fame was often reduced to tabloid headlines and controversies — particularly the 1995 sex tape leak with Tommy Lee.

That narrative began to shift in 2023, when Netflix released Pamela, A Love Story, a documentary that reframed Anderson’s life through her own lens. Vulnerable and self-aware, the film resonated with audiences and critics alike. It positioned Anderson not just as a bombshell but as a survivor. Therefore, someone who endured exploitation, reclaimed her story, and continues to evolve.

That evolution has been evident in her recent career renaissance. Her performance in The Last Showgirl (2024) earned her a Golden Globe nomination. The role — a veteran Vegas performer navigating ageism in the entertainment industry — mirrors Anderson’s own battles with typecasting and public scrutiny.

Beyoncé’s Tribute: More Than Nostalgia

The “BODYGUARD” visual wasn’t just a nostalgic gesture. It was a calculated artistic choice. Released as the first semi-official video from Cowboy Carter, the homage coincided with a Billboard analysis showing that the album increased country music listenership by 38% among Black audiences aged 18–34. By channeling Anderson — a figure historically objectified and underestimated — Beyoncé amplified themes of empowerment, visibility, and image reclamation.

In an interview with Variety, Anderson said she saw the video “at the same time everybody else did” and appreciated the tribute to characters “full of heart and vulnerability” that were often overlooked in their time. It’s a fitting acknowledgment for a woman whose career was often reduced to surface-level assumptions.

From Tabloid Fodder to Feminist Figure

This wasn’t Anderson’s first time confronting her past. In her 2023 memoir Love, Pamela, she detailed how early fame through Playboy and Baywatch led to her being pigeonholed as a sex symbol. The unauthorized Hulu series Pam & Tommy further exacerbated her frustration. Thus, prompting a backlash that only increased support for her documentary and public reclamation of her story.

In the years since, Anderson has made headlines for embracing a more natural lifestyle. Thus, appearing makeup-free at events and doubling down on her activism, particularly around animal rights. Her latest project with Jamie Lee Curtis — who herself shared a story about a fake tan mishap in solidarity — symbolizes a kind of quiet resistance and camaraderie among women in Hollywood.

A Moment That Transcends Generations

Social media reacted swiftly and passionately to the homage and Anderson’s response. On X (formerly Twitter), users praised both women for their humility and cross-generational significance. One post with over 3,000 likes read, “Girl wdym you are THE PAMELA ANDERSON.” Others applauded Beyoncé’s execution: “Beyoncé as Pamela Anderson on Baywatch >>>>,” one viral tweet read, racking up over 26,000 likes.

Not all reactions were surface-level praise. Some noted how the moment reopened conversations about how the media historically mistreated Anderson. Reddit users called out the “messed up” treatment she received in the ‘90s, while others celebrated her chance to be seen as “happy and full of life” in the present day.

Cultural Memory and the Power of Reclamation

Pamela Anderson’s surprise at being referenced by Beyoncé also speaks to a larger phenomenon: the rewriting of cultural memory. In the 1990s, Anderson’s rise came at the cost of personal privacy and public agency. As a result, her most iconic roles often overshadowed by scandal. Today, her reappearance in Beyoncé’s work positions her as a reclaimed symbol — not just of physical beauty but of resilience, transformation, and legacy.

This isn’t the first time a pop culture icon has been reframed in the public eye. However, Anderson’s case feels uniquely poignant. Once seen as the punchline of late-night jokes, she’s now treated as a multidimensional figure. Beyoncé’s creative decision to channel her in the “BODYGUARD” video doesn’t merely honor a nostalgic aesthetic. Also, it acknowledges Anderson’s role in shaping an era and surviving it. In doing so, Beyoncé invites younger audiences to view Anderson through a modern lens — one that values complexity over caricature.

Reclamation here functions on two levels: Anderson reclaims her narrative after years of objectification, and Beyoncé reclaims a media image that was once used to diminish women, flipping it into a moment of empowerment and control. Together, their exchange forms a cultural baton pass between generations of female fame — one marked by scrutiny, yet defiant in its endurance.

Conclusion

Pamela Anderson’s heartfelt response to Beyoncé’s “BODYGUARD” homage reveals not just her surprise, but also the depth of her cultural legacy — one that even she may have underestimated. At a time when Anderson is reclaiming her narrative and redefining her public image, the tribute from one of music’s most powerful women serves as both validation and celebration. Their shared moment — one of reverence, reinvention, and quiet power — proves that legacy is not just what’s remembered, but how it’s reimagined by those who follow.