Pamela Anderson is best known for her long, blonde hair, which became as iconic as her roles in Baywatch. Her signature hair, whether styled in bombshell curls or tousled updos, had a celebrity status of its own. However, it’s easy to forget that the actress once rocked a pixie cut, a sharp contrast to her usual style.
Anderson first debuted her short hair in October 2013, just before running the New York City marathon a month later. She appeared on The Ellen Show shortly after, where she joked with host Ellen DeGeneres about her new look. DeGeneres playfully asked, “Was that to be more aerodynamic so you could run faster?” Anderson laughed, then explained her decision to cut her hair: “My hair had had a life, and I wanted to put that behind me and start fresh.”
Known for her love of reinventing her look, Anderson’s pixie cut was a bold step that showed her wasn’t afraid of change. While the 2020s have seen her embrace a makeup-free look, it’s her pixie cut that remains a standout style moment. Looking back at the 2013 cut, it’s clear it became one of the most influential short hairstyles of that time—a trend that still resonates today.
For Anderson, the haircut was not just a change in appearance, but a symbolic gesture. She described the moment as an empowering one, a way to leave behind her past and embrace a new chapter in life. “It just feels healthy and [like] something new,” she told The Cut in November 2013. “I was getting a little bored with my hair. It’s kind of a symbolic thing, just getting rid of the past, moving forward.”
Anderson also opened up about how she had used her long hair to hide behind for years. “I hid behind my hair,” she admitted. “And then, I just decided I was okay with myself. To have short hair and really show my face, is even more revealing than anything. It’s a statement—not to everyone else, more to myself.”
This transformative moment marked a turning point for Anderson, but it was only temporary. Over time, she grew her hair back. However, another significant change came nearly a decade later: Anderson began stepping out without any makeup, further embracing authenticity. If her long hair once served as a shield, perhaps her new makeup-free look became her modern form of self-expression.
Pamela Anderson’s journey shows her constant search for personal authenticity, whether through her hair, makeup, or public persona. Her ever-evolving style continues to reflect her confidence and desire for change.