Pamela Anderson delivered a striking jazz scat performance in the latest Naked Gun movie, released on August 1. Playing Beth Davenport, Anderson’s character performs an elaborate scat number to aid Liam Neeson‘s Frank Drebin Jr. in infiltrating a supper club owned by tech billionaire Richard Cane, uncovering proof of foul play involving Cane’s programmer, Beth’s brother Simon.
Showcasing Singing Talent Inspired by Past Theater Roles
Following her Broadway role as Roxie Hart in Chicago in 2022, Anderson returns to the spotlight with a unique and challenging musical moment. Her performance features an offbeat, fast-paced scat tune called “Sassafras Chicken in D,” blending jazz energy and humor. This number, written with the help of Elizabeth Gillies and composer John McNeely, adds a fresh musical layer to the film’s comedic plot.
Elizabeth Gillies, known for her starring role in the Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, contributed both by co-writing the song and providing vocal collaboration. The songwriting team faced some creative restrictions, including being unable to use a key video game theme. Anderson’s vocals also reference “Bawitdaba,” a song by her ex-husband Kid Rock, in the extended edition of the piece.
Overcoming Stage Fright While Embracing Artistic Freedom
Anderson admitted to feeling intense anxiety over learning the demanding scat solo.
“I was like, How am I going to remember this? It’s an absolutely nutty scat solo,”
she said, adding that she found herself practicing it constantly, even at home. The performance took twelve hours to shoot, with Anderson singing live on each take alongside her pre-recorded vocal track. Director Akiva Schaffer confirmed the scene is a blend of live and pre-recorded vocals, emphasizing Anderson’s commitment by noting,
“She performed it like a musical number.”
Describing the experience as one of pure artistic freedom, Anderson reflected on the courage needed to act and perform, especially during moments of fear.
“You have to have courage. You have to have courage to be an actor at all. But that’s my happy place is when I’m terrified,”
she explained. She further shared how performing helps her express deep personal emotions, stating,
“All the words to that song, I’m thinking of personal experiences in my life, and so I’m able to get it out even in a crazy scene like that. So it’s not just spitting out the words, it’s performing some of your innermost thoughts.”
On-Set Admiration for Anderson’s Complex Performance
Watching Anderson bring the challenging jazz piece to life left actor Danny Huston profoundly impressed. Describing the scat number as
“quite complicated and kind of mathematical,”
Huston shared,
“When she hit the stage with this jazz number… I was, yeah, smitten. I had the joy of a couple of my most entertaining days of work that I’ve ever had.”
He recalled sitting at a table in the restaurant club and witnessing Anderson perform repeatedly, remarking, “I was all a tizzy.”
Landing the Role Thanks to a Spontaneous Scat Audition
Anderson’s background in jazz during her school years helped her secure the role. She reminisced about improvising scat singing during her audition:
“I did my eighth-grade scat for Akiva, and he’s like, ‘Okay, you got the job,’”
she laughed. Schaffer affirmed her recollection, saying,
“I think that might be true.”
The film, blending musical performance with comedy and intrigue, highlights Anderson’s versatility and musical talent, particularly through her memorable jazz scat performance. As Naked Gun hits theaters nationwide, audiences can look forward to this unexpected, impressive display from the actress.
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