Jamie Lee Curtis and Pamela Anderson, two Las Vegas veterans, take center stage in The Last Showgirl. This new drama from director Gia Coppola follows Curtis, 66, and Anderson, 57, as best friends Annette and Shelly, longtime residents of Sin City with their own struggles. In an exclusive clip shared with PEOPLE, we see Annette, a former showgirl with a gambling problem, now working as a casino cocktail waitress who is abruptly cut from her shift in favor of younger workers. Shelly, on the other hand, has been performing in the Les Razzle Dazzle show for decades. When the topless revue is canceled by the resort owners, Shelly must face the decision of what to do with the rest of her life. Annette suggests moving in with Shelly and paying rent, but Shelly shuts down the idea. The film is earning Anderson serious awards attention, with nominations for a Gotham Award for outstanding lead performance and a Golden Globe for best performance by a female actor in a motion picture – drama. At the Golden Globe awards, Anderson is in a category with four Oscar winners: Angelina Jolie (Maria), Nicole Kidman (Babygirl), Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door), and Kate Winslet (Lee), along with I’m Still Here star Feranda Torres. Jamie Lee Curtis, who won an Oscar in 2023 for Everything Everywhere All at Once, previously told Entertainment Weekly about her dramatic transformation for The Last Showgirl. She immediately had many ideas about what Annette would look like and her backstory. She called her wig maker and they got to work. "She has that leathered look," Curtis added. "There is that term that is kind of a pejorative of, particularly, women that says they look like they were rode hard and put away wet." The Last Showgirl is currently in select theaters and will expand wider on January 10.

Uncover the Sin City Struggles of Jamie Lee Curtis and Pamela Anderson

Annette's Gambling Problem and Casino Struggles

Annette, a former showgirl with a deep-seated gambling problem, found herself working as a casino cocktail waitress. The sudden cut from her shift in favor of younger workers was a blow to her already fragile self-esteem. She had dedicated so much of her life to the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas stage, but now, her career was on a downward spiral. The casino world, which once seemed like a haven, was now a place of uncertainty and rejection. Annette's story is a reminder of the harsh realities that many showgirls face when their prime years pass.Her gambling addiction only added to her woes. It was a vice that had consumed her life, leading her to make one bad decision after another. The allure of the casino tables was too strong for her to resist, and it was slowly destroying her. But even in the midst of her struggles, Annette showed a glimmer of hope. She was determined to turn her life around and find a new purpose.

Shelly's Showbiz Dilemma and Life After the Revue

Shelly, with decades of experience performing in the Les Razzle Dazzle show, was suddenly faced with the cancellation of her topless revue by the resort owners. This was a major blow to her career and her sense of identity. For years, she had been the center of attention on that stage, captivating audiences with her beauty and talent. But now, everything had changed.Shelly had to grapple with the question of what to do with the rest of her life. She had dedicated her entire being to the showbiz world, and it was difficult for her to imagine a life without it. But she also knew that she couldn't continue performing in a canceled revue. She had to find a new path, one that would allow her to continue to pursue her dreams.In the midst of her dilemma, Shelly found herself leaning on her best friend Annette. Together, they faced the challenges of life after the revue and tried to find a way to move forward. Their friendship was tested during this difficult time, but it also grew stronger as they supported each other through the ups and downs.

Jamie Lee Curtis' Role and Her Connection with Pamela Anderson

Jamie Lee Curtis, a renowned actress who won an Oscar in 2023 for her work in Everything Everywhere All at Once, signed on to make The Last Showgirl after learning that Pamela Anderson would play the lead role. She saw this as an opportunity to be a part of something special and to give Anderson the chance to shine as an artist.Curtis had always admired Anderson's talent and was excited to work with her. She knew that Anderson was going to bring a certain energy and charisma to the role of Shelly. "I literally just wanted to be on the other side of a scene with her because I knew she was going to do what she does in the movie," Curtis added.Her own transformation for the role was a testament to her dedication as an actress. She immediately had a lot of ideas about what Annette would look like and her backstory. She worked closely with her wig maker to create the perfect look, adding to the authenticity of her character.The chemistry between Curtis and Anderson on screen was palpable. Their friendship and the struggles they faced together added depth and emotion to the story. Together, they brought the world of The Last Showgirl to life.