A look with meaning

Over the last few years, Pamela has become known for her decision to go makeup-free, a choice she connected to the loss of her dear friend and makeup artist Alexis Vogel, who died from breast cancer in 2019.

“She was the best. And since then, I just felt, without Alexis, it’s just better for me not to wear makeup,” Pamela told Elle in 2023.

That heartfelt sentiment is what made this return to glam so surprising for many.

Pamela previously explained her no-makeup journey during Paris Fashion Week in 2023, telling Vogue France: “I’m not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room. I feel like it’s just freedom. It’s a release.”

Criticism after the Met Gala

Pamela’s honesty about aging, identity, and self-image has turned her into a powerful voice for authenticity in Hollywood. But that doesn’t mean every bold choice lands without pushback. Her daring look at this year’s Met Gala — where she was even compared to Joan of Arc — stirred mixed reactions online.