Pamela Anderson Calls PR Stunt Relationships a ‘Death Sentence’ amid Report She and Liam Neeson Faked Romance

Pamela Anderson is getting her flowers in France!

Anderson, 58, appeared at the 51st Deauville American Film Festival in Deauville, France on Friday, Sept. 5, receiving the festival’s Deauville Talent Award on its opening night. In her acceptance speech, The Naked Gun star alluded to reports claiming her romance with costar Liam Neeson is a publicity stunt.

“I do not and will never feed into PR stunts,” she said onstage. “That would be a death sentence. I’m authentically driven. I’m superstitious when it comes to love. And I’m not comfortable sharing any shred of my romantic life.”

Anderson continued, “I know I’ll fall in love again and again on screen. That is my job. If we do it well, you will feel it, a kind of projection. It is the greatest compliment. So please think positive. And I appreciate your good wishes. There are no silly games being played. I’m sincere.”

“Do not mistake my kindness for weakness or my boldness for bitterness. I’m here on this journey, not for money or for fame, but to see what I’m made of in truth, hard work and to leave behind an honest legacy my family can be proud of,” she added.

At the end of July, PEOPLE exclusively reported that Anderson and Neeson, 73, were dating, with a source saying that the two were “smitten” with each other. A month later, in August, a source denied allegations that their romance was some sort of act.

“Everything between them has been genuine. Neither would ever take part in a publicity stunt. They have a great time. Neither of them needs the publicity,” a source close to The Naked Gun said, while another added, “Their relationship isn’t just for show. They have a real connection. There’s no incentive for either of them to stage something like this.”

The Deauville American Film Festival announced that it would give Anderson this year’s award on Aug. 21, noting in a statement that it was celebrating the actress, “who has com­bined her work as an actress with a pas­sion­ate com­mit­ment to phil­an­thropy and advo­ca­cy, leav­ing a last­ing mark on the cul­tur­al imagination.”

“I realize how lucky I am and I’m grateful to be a part of pop culture,” The Last Showgirl star said on Friday, after Isabelle Huppert surprised Anderson with a video message presenting the award. “It is a blessing and also maybe a bit of a curse. It undermines the goal. One has the cultivated mystique, which is invaluable to a film actor. It was important to me at this juncture to shake things up, twist perceptions so I can be free to paint upon a blank canvas time and again with each new undertaking.”

Anderson also mentioned that German filmmaking legend Werner Herzog once approached her about a project that never came to be. Addressing the director and crowd, she said, “Wherever you are, I’m ready to dive into the end with any of you. It would be an honor and a privilege.”

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The actress is in the midst of a career renaissance. Her performance in last year’s The Last Showgirl, earned her nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, Gotham Awards and Screen Actors Guild awards. This year’s Akiva Schaffer-directed reboot of The Naked Gun was received well by critics and audiences alike.

The Baywatch star has only appeared in three movies since 2020, but the actress is continuing her resurgence with multiple upcoming projects, including roles in Place to Be, Rosebush Pruning, Alma and Love Is Not the Answer, the latter of which marks Michael Cera’s debut as a writer-director. She will also star opposite Guy Pearce as lovers on the run in Queen of the Falls.

This year, the Deauville American Film Festival will also give awards to Kim Novak, Joel Egerton and Zoey Deutch.

The Deauville American Film Festival runs from Sept. 5 through Sept. 14.