Pamela Anderson, the iconic “Baywatch” star, opened up about a terrifying in-flight experience where she claims she “almost got killed” after a fellow passenger mistook her for a member of the country music group, The Chicks. Anderson recounted the alarming incident during a candid chat on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz earlier this week.
An Unsettling Case of Mistaken Identity
The actress described the encounter, saying a man approached her mid-flight with an aggressive tone. “This one time, I was on a flight and this guy came up to me and said, ‘Do you know what this country’s done for you?’” Anderson shared. Startled, she initially didn’t understand his anger and found herself questioning what she could have possibly done to provoke such hostility.
As the situation escalated, Anderson noticed the man glaring at her with increasing intensity. She said the tension reached a boiling point when the man attempted to physically attack her. “This stewardess had to handcuff him to the chair because he was trying to attack [me],” she revealed.
The shocking twist? “Turns out, he thought I was a Dixie Chick,” Anderson said, referencing the former name of the group now known as The Chicks.
The Dixie Chicks Controversy Looms
The Chicks have been no strangers to controversy themselves. Anderson’s ordeal likely stemmed from lingering anger related to the backlash the band faced after lead singer Natalie Maines criticized then-President George W. Bush in 2003. Maines’ comments about the Iraq invasion during a concert in London sparked a media firestorm, leading to boycotts, death threats, and bans from radio stations across the United States.
“Remember that whole Dixie Chick thing?” Anderson asked Horowitz, connecting her incident to the fallout the band endured during that era.
The misidentification added an eerie layer of absurdity to the confrontation, leaving Anderson shaken and, as she admitted, “scared to fly” for some time after.
A Minor Incident with Major Impact
Despite the seriousness of the encounter, Anderson referred to the situation as “minor” in hindsight, though it clearly left a lasting impression. “I was shaken up. I mean, you don’t forget something like that,” she admitted.
The star has always been known for her resilience, but this episode highlighted how public figures can sometimes become unintended targets of unrelated controversies. Anderson’s ability to recount the story with humor and grace speaks volumes about her character.
The Chicks’ Journey Since the Controversy
The Chicks, originally known as The Dixie Chicks, eventually changed their name in 2020 amid national conversations about racial justice. The decision was part of an effort to distance themselves from any associations with Confederate-era imagery tied to the word “Dixie.”
While the band faced immense backlash during their career, they have remained outspoken. Maines famously offered a non-apology in 2006, telling Time magazine, “I apologized for disrespecting the office of the President. But I don’t feel that way anymore. I don’t feel he is owed any respect whatsoever.”
By 2020, Maines had softened her stance slightly, joking during a television appearance that she might “make out with George Bush” in light of the political climate surrounding Donald Trump’s presidency.
A Close Call That Sticks
Pamela Anderson’s encounter offers a window into the unpredictable nature of fame. While the incident didn’t result in physical harm, it was a chilling reminder of the intense emotions that public controversies can stir in others—even when misplaced.
As for Anderson, she has continued to thrive in her career, most recently making headlines for her latest film project, The Last Showgirl. Her anecdote on the podcast showcased her ability to turn a harrowing moment into a compelling, if bizarre, story.
“Sometimes, life throws you curveballs, and you just have to laugh about it later,” Anderson concluded.
