Is The Last Showgirl based on a true story? Details about Gia Coppola's film, explored

Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl offers Pamela Anderson a meaty central role, which is, unfortunately, rare for her. After the film's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, she acknowledged the same. While speaking about the film's coherent script, she said,

"It’s the first time I ever read a good script, first of all,"

After many decades of her career, Anderson receives the spotlight for her acting chops. Since the film premiered at the TIFF, she has received praise from critics and the audience for her "revelation" of a performance. She recently received nominations for a Golden Globe and a Gotham award for her lead performance in this film.

The film revolves around Shelly (played by Anderson), an experienced showgirl whose 30-year stint at a Las Vegas show comes to a sudden end. The film follows her journey in the wake of this tragedy, which feels like an "end of an era" to her.

Anderson's performance has lately been a point of discussion, and so has her character. So, the audience might be wondering whether the film is based on a true story.

The Last Showgirl is not based on a true story but is inspired by Las Vegas shows similar to the ones in the film.

The screenwriter Kate Gersten spoke about her inspiration for the film during a Q&A session. Let's find out what she said.

Is The Last Showgirl based on true events? Details explored

The Last Showgirl follows Shelly, a Vegas showgirl whose long-winding gig at a local show ends abruptly. Pamela Anderson plays Shelly, a showgirl who must plan her future after the end of her life as she knew it for over three decades.

The film is set in a Vegas show called Le Razzle Dazzle and follows the interior lives of its characters in a profession that is not always seen through a kind and empathetic lens.

During a Q&A session at the TIFF, screenwriter Kate Gersten briefly spoke about her script for this film and revealed her key inspiration. She mentioned that she was inspired by the showgirls at Jubilee! from her time observing them. It is a Las Vegas revue that ended its 30+year run in 2016. Gersten described it as the

"last standing t*ts and feathers show, as they call them."

Gia Coppola's film is not based on a true story but is inspired by real-life showgirls. Anderson's character, Shelly, is a part of Gersten's imagination based on her observations.

Who stars in The Last Showgirl? The cast details explored

The Last Showgirl stars Pamela Anderson in the lead role of Shelly. Besides her, it stars Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween), Brenda Song (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody), and Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) in important roles.

The film is directed by Gia Coppola, the daughter of filmmaker Sofia Coppola and the granddaughter of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. The Last Showgirl marks the second 2024 film from their talented family besides Francis Ford Coppola's mega-budget Megalopolis.