The shocking lengths Sebastian Stan and Lily James went to for their '90s roles

As waves of '90s nostalgia continue to wash over the entertainment landscape, few transformations have been as eyebrow-raising – quite literally – as that of Sebastian Stan and Lily James. Their immersion into the roles of Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson for Hulu's "Pam & Tommy" was a masterclass in dedication.

An uncanny vocal transformation

Guesting on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, both stars opened up about their approach to capturing the essence of their characters. An unforgettable tidbit was how they sought to perfect Anderson and Lee's distinct voices. Stan candidly shared, "We both would just on a repeat listen to their voices in their interviews and... we would actually scream into pillows in between the scenes." Their commitment to voice modulation was so intense that their antics might have left onlookers bemused, suspecting the pair were "losing their minds in their trailers."

Also Read: 

Going the extra mile: From eyebrows to... steel balls?

The physical metamorphosis required for these roles was no less intense. James revealed she had to bleach her eyebrows, while Stan shared his unique method for capturing the essence of Tommy Lee: wearing bare steel balls, a quirky variation on a method suggested by his acting coach, Larry Moss. This reveal was so unexpected that even James was left in the dark, as Stan believed she'd "freak out".

David Williams, the makeup department head, further detailed James' eyebrow journey in a chat with USA Today. The bleached brows were part of a daily four-hour effort that included prosthetic foreheads to create the illusion of more space between her eyes and hairline. Moreover, upper and lower dental pieces recreated Anderson's smile.

Also Read: Sebastian Stan's transformation: Beyond Bucky & Marvel's charm 

Emotional empathy for their characters

But beyond the physical, the emotional landscape was equally challenging. With both stars playing real-life personalities, the weight of portrayal wasn't taken lightly. Reflecting on the stolen tape incident, Stan termed it "an American crime story." Their shared anxiety was palpable, with Stan admitting to texting James, "Listen like I’m scared shitless. I’m going to need to hold your hand if you want to hold mine. We’re here. We’re in this together."

For James, the commitment was equally profound. She expressed how important it was to present Anderson and Lee authentically and with care, finding the experience "thrilling".

As we fondly look back, the passion, dedication, and sometimes oddball methods employed by both stars underscore the lengths actors will go to breathe life into their characters.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.