You’re Never Too Old for a PR Stunt

I don’t want to say I knew the whole time, but…

By Claire Guinan  |  September 1, 2025 | 10:33am
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You’re Never Too Old for a PR Stunt

In the ever-evolving celebrity soap opera that is Summer 2025, it seems that Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson’s romance was nothing more than a publicity stunt to get more butts in theater seats, according to TMZ. And I don’t want to say I knew the whole time, but…

“In fact, we’re told Pamela and Liam didn’t even see each other from the time cameras stopped rolling in June 2024 until the press tour launched more than a year later, in July 2025,” the tabloid wrote, adding that a source said the whole story was pushed by their PR teams and Paramount.

I’ll admit, in July, when another source close to the production of The Naked Gun reboot told People that the two had “a budding romance in the early stages,” I was all ears. “It’s sincere, and it’s clear they’re smitten with each other.” But if we’ve learned anything, it’s that “a source close to the production” is code for LIES. And THIS IS FOR PR PURPOSES ONLY.

Still, I gave them the benefit of the doubt, despite my suspicions, since the thought of two industry veterans finding love in their old age was sweet. Their kids are about the same age, and, at the New York premiere, they photographed well as a big, happy blended family. Anderson even planted a very PG kiss on Neeson’s cheek on the red carpet in London.

They always spoke fondly of one another, too. In October 2024, Neeson jokingly declared he was “madly in love with her.” Meanwhile, Pamela said she would “always have a friend in Liam.” Which was…a little different from Neeson’s quote. In hindsight—but also, even at the time—it was giving major coworker vibes.

Still, the stunt appeared to work. The Naked Gun raked in $16 million opening weekend and has since climbed to around $88 million worldwide. With a $45 million budget—and considering how comedies usually flatline in theaters—the film can be deemed a success. Yes, faking a relationship is hard work, but so is getting people to go to the movies.

Also, I’ll just say it: Pamela deserves better. Or at least, she deserves someone who doesn’t have a history of questionable comments, including notoriously admitting he once wanted to commit a racist revenge attack after a friend was raped: “My immediate reaction was…I asked, did she know who it was? No,” Neeson said of the incident to The Independent, “What color were they? She said it was a Black person.”

So this is probably all for the best. Neesom got some favorable headlines and a successful film, and Anderson’s gorgeous sea view farmhouse is presumably man-free again.

  • Jacob Elordi got into a “heated exchange” on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival. [Page Six]
  • Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun might be dating, and I am truly speechless. [Pop Base]
  • Aubrey Plaza stole something from Biden’s desk when Parks and Recreation filmed at the White House. [Entertainment Weekly]
  • Christa B. Allen claims she escaped a cult. [Daily Mail]
  • Robin Wright left the U.S. for England: “America is a shitshow.” [People]
  • Lots of people talking about Amanda Seyfried‘s new movie, which just premiered at Venice. [Variety]

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