Pamela Anderson at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, Montreal

Pamela Anderson addressed the media in Montreal in this morning in anticipation of her show Pam’s Variety Gala tonight (Thursday) at the Théâtre St-Denis as part of the Just for Laughs Festival. She will be co-hosting the event with her Dancing With The Stars partner Damian Whitewood. The lineup also includes Axis of Awesome, Beardyman, Blueprint Cru, Des Bishop, Kristeen Von Hagen, Michael Kosta, Paul Zerdin, Ralph Harris and Trevor Boris.

The media gathering took place at the Globe Restaurant on St-Laurent, and an second press gathering on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was to take place an hour later in Montreal's Old Port. But at the last minute, the city denied PETA their permit, claiming the ad was sexist (see letter below). As a result, the unveiling of her new ad for PETA took place simultaneously at the Globe Restaurant. When she pulled out the French-language version of the poster, one wag commented (en anglais, with a French accent) "Ah, now we understand it...."

Many of the initial questions concerned the controversy with the city, which she addressed politely. She did however point out that the restaurant where the press conference took place served foie gras, and she said she'd have to talk to the owners about that. Otherwise, she was rather modest. She said the controversy with the city was unfortunate, but any further attention it brought to the animal rights cause was a good thing. Asked about being a sex symbol at 43, she replied, "I know I'm 43. I don't know about being a sex symbol." Regarding her show tonight, she joked that she'd be relying a lot on her co-host Damian, since "I'm not so known for my stand-up as I am for my lie-down."

For information about Just for Laughs, visit http://www.hahaha.com/en/festival/10/

For information about PETA, visit http://www.peta.org/

Here is the letter from Josée Rochefort to PETA regarding Pamela Anderson's unveiling of her latest ad campaign:

From: jrochefort@ville.montreal.qc.ca
Date: July 13, 2010 5:50:40 PM EDT
To: Lucas Solowey
Subject: RE RE Place Jacques-Cartier, Pamela Anderson Poster Unveiling

Mr. Lucas,

As you might expect, I have to inform you that we, as public officials representing a municipal government, cannot endorse this image of Ms Anderson. It is not so much controversial as it goes against all principles public organisations are fighting for in the everlasting battle of equality between men and women.

We therefore will not give you a permit to hold your event on Place Jacques-Cartier.

Yours truly,

Josée Rochefort

Commissaire logistique et permis
Direction de la culture et du patrimoine
Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision de Montréal

801, rue Brennan, 5e étage, pavillon Duke
Montréal (QC) H3C 0G4
Tél.: 514 872-1164   fax : 514 872-3409
cell.: 514 942-5992
jrochefort@ville.montreal.qc.ca