Pamela Anderson turned heads at this year’s Met Gala in New York City with a look that was both bold and unexpected. Some praised her for her fresh take on glamour, while others weren’t quite as impressed.
But it wasn’t just her outfit that sparked conversation.
When the Daily Mail shared its coverage of Pamela’s appearance — along with a headline that quickly caught attention — many readers took issue with the wording.
Sparked reactions
The annual Met Gala in New York always grabs attention, and 2025 was no exception. This year’s controversies included Pamela Anderson’s unexpected look, which divided public opinion, and a Daily Mail headline about her that sparked backlash for its tone.
The former Baywatch star, once celebrated as an international sex symbol, has fully embraced a more natural, makeup-free lifestyle over the last couple of years — and she proved it once again on Monday, May 5, in New York City.
Pamela Anderson stepped onto the red carpet with a chic short blonde bob and a sleek silver gown by Tory Burch, perfectly in line with the “Tailored for You” dress code.
The long-sleeved dress featured a wide neckline and was covered in delicate blue, red, and silver crystals, offering a subtle but striking sparkle.
Some praised her natural, bold hairstyle — others said her stylist should be fired and never be allowed near Pamela’s hair again.
Like it or not, people will always have opinions about how celebrities look, that’s just part of the deal. But what really didn’t sit well with many was a headline from the UK’s Daily Mail that. According to plenty of readers, it crossed the line.
“I shuddered when I read the headline”
The tabloid labeled Pamela Anderson as “frumpy” and claimed that she was “worlds away from her Baywatch glory days.”
“I shuddered when I read the headline, not least because I’d basically forgotten the word ‘frumpy’ exists. A quick Google search defines frumpy as ‘dowdy and old-fashioned (typically used of a woman or her clothes).’ Ah yes, old-school sexism at its finest,” Glamour editor Lucy Morgan writes.
Lucy wasn’t alone in her reaction — many on X, formerly known as Twitter, echoed her sentiment.
“Leave her alone. She’s still beautiful and is ageing gracefully!” wrote one user, while another added, “She looks beautiful, fresh and chic. Let women age.”
And these people weren’t the only ones reacting to the word “frumpy.”
More comfortable in her skin now
When you look at the bigger picture, Pamela is no stranger to people commenting on her appearance. She built much of her career on her looks, but it came at a cost.
In her Woman of the Year interview with GLAMOUR, Pamela opened up about the relentless media attention she’s faced throughout her life.
“Even when I hear my name, I don’t like it,” she admits. “I have a negative connotation with it. I still have a stereotype of myself almost. And so it’s been hard work to try and get rid of that because I’m a woman.”
She goes on to say, “I’m finding I feel more comfortable in my skin now than I probably have in the last 30 years, but I didn’t realise it until now.”
The Daily Mail’s choice of words may have sparked controversy, but it also opened the door to a broader conversation. Are we still trapped in outdated standards when it comes to how women are perceived, especially in the public eye?
Pamela Anderson’s evolution — from an iconic sex symbol to a woman embracing her natural self — challenges society’s fixation on appearance. Is it time to reconsider how we talk about aging and beauty in the media, or are we still stuck in the past?