Fans of Pamela Anderson are passionately calling out double standards in the beauty industry this week, after the Baywatch star made an au natural appearance at the 2025 Met Gala.
In keeping with the numerous fresh-faced attendances she's made at recent high-profile red carpet events, Anderson rocked up to the New York museum, alongside son Brandon Thomas Lee, donning a bedazzled long-sleeve Tory Burch gown and very minimal make-up.
The 57-year-old actress and model - who was branded somewhat of a style icon in the 90s for her legendary smokey-eye looks, dark-lined lips and threadbare brows - first revealed in 2023 why she's turned her back on cosmetics.
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That year, she told Elle Magazine that the decision was inspired by the 2019 loss of close friend and makeup artist Alexis Vogel to breast cancer.
"She was the best," the mum-of-two shared at the time. "And since then, I just felt, without Alexis, it’s just better for me not to wear makeup."
And in 2024, Anderson described her new stripped-back look to The New York Times as a way of 'peeling back off the layers of [her] life.'
"[Beauty] is about celebrating where you’re at, celebrating in your beauty journey," she explained. "Being OK with who you are right now.
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"Really embracing where you’re at and making yourself feel the best and representing your highest self."
Sadly, however, the blonde beauty's philosophy failed to resonate with a number of critics, who have taken to social media to slam her make-up free appearance at this year's Met Gala. Sharing a photo from the evening in question, alongside a snap of Anderson in the 90s, one troll unfairly asked: "What happened to the Baywatch beauty?"
Thankfully, however, it didn't take long for a flood of fans to rush to Anderson's defence, many of issued a reminder that the model is simply aging.
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Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one hit out: "Everyone tweeting 'What happened to Pamela Anderson' - Time … time happened to her & it will happen to EVERYONE of us!"
Another complained: "Everyone critiquing Pamela Anderson saying she looks frumpy or whatever - clearly they’ve never seen a woman age in real life & I feel sad for them!
"In an age full of plastic surgery, fillers & botox, filters & image editing - it’s beautiful to see someone look so real & classy!"
A third continued: "Unpopular opinion: I think women should be allowed to grow old and gracefully as Pamela Anderson has. She hasn't had any (visible) work done on her face and looks great without makeup."
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The same user quipped, however: "I think the haircut is unflattering, but that's the extent on my criticism."
Another pointed out the issue of double standards, concerned that Anderson can't win.
"So after years of people complaining about women using filters, plastic surgery, and excessive make up, 57-year-old Pamela Anderson decides to make a statement by going from being THE beauty standard to now embracing natural beauty and graceful aging—and people are mad… still?" they penned.
Topics: Pamela Anderson, US News, Celebrity, Beauty, Make-Up
Rhianna Benson