Olivia Wilde reveals Pamela Anderson’s advice helped her through 'Don’t Worry Darling' drama

Olivia Wilde has revealed that an unexpected message from Pamela Anderson helped her navigate the intense scrutiny surrounding Don’t Worry Darling and its highly publicised controversies.

Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, the actress and director recalled feeling overwhelmed by the backlash and speculation that engulfed the release of her 2022 psychological thriller. Wilde said she found comfort after watching Anderson’s 2023 documentary Pamela, A Love Story and decided to reach out to the former Baywatch star.

According to Wilde, Anderson responded with words that have stayed with her ever since. “The most rebellious thing you can do is stay soft. Don’t let it harden you,” Anderson wrote to her, offering support during one of the most difficult periods of Wilde’s career.

The director said she was deeply moved by the advice, admitting that she often felt unable to defend herself publicly against narratives she believed were false. Instead, she tried to remain composed while promoting the film and representing the cast and crew who had worked on the project during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wilde acknowledged that attempting to suppress her emotions may have made her appear detached or inauthentic to some people. Looking back, she said she now recognises the value of embracing vulnerability rather than hiding behind a carefully controlled exterior.

Don’t Worry Darling became the subject of relentless media attention amid reports of tensions involving cast members, speculation about her relationship with Harry Styles and the highly publicised moment when she was served custody papers during CinemaCon. In recent interviews, Wilde has described the period as one in which she felt particularly disconnected from herself and frustrated by the way public narratives reduced her to tabloid headlines.

Despite the ordeal, Wilde said Anderson’s message reminded her not to allow criticism to change who she is. The filmmaker has since returned to directing with The Invite, which is set for release later this month.

Four years after Don’t Worry Darling dominated headlines, Wilde appears to have found perspective on the experience, and credits Anderson’s encouragement with helping her preserve her compassion and resilience in the face of intense public scrutiny.