Where was The Last Showgirl filmed? Discover the Las Vegas locations where Pamela Anderson’s career-defining movie was shot.
The Last Showgirl (2024) proves that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas – sometimes it ends up on 16mm film with a budget under $2 million and a whole lot of feathered headdresses.
This gritty, heartfelt drama starring Pamela Anderson was shot entirely on location in the neon-soaked underbelly of Sin City, where the glitter is fading and the buffet lines are getting longer.
Anderson delivers a career-defining performance as Shelley, a glamorous 50-something veteran showgirl whose 30-year-running revue “Razzle Dazzle” gets the axe from stage manager Eddie (Dave Bautista) – because nothing says “you’re fired” like a former WWE wrestler delivering the news.
Forced to reckon with an unknown future, Shelley struggles to plan a life outside of showbiz while attempting to reconcile with her estranged daughter Hannah (Billie Lourd), proving that parenting is even harder than dancing in 10-pound feather headdresses.
Directed by Gia Coppola, the film features a powerhouse cast including Jamie Lee Curtis as wisecracking cocktail waitress Phyllis, Kiernan Shipka as fellow dancer Jodie, and Brenda Song as Marianne – because every Vegas story needs a found family that’s more dysfunctional than a slot machine on tilt.
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👯♀️ The Last Showgirl Filming Locations
From the faded glamour of the Strip to the gritty corners of off-Street Las Vegas, here’s exactly where this intimate drama came to life.
🏨 The Rio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
The Rio Hotel & Casino became the production’s home base, with its actual casino floor, guest rooms, and grimy backstage corridors doubling as the unglamorous reality behind the sequins.
Jamie Lee Curtis famously called the place “a bit of a shit box” – which was exactly the vibe director Gia Coppola wanted. Because Curtis only had four days available, the production scrambled to film all her cocktail lounge scenes first.
The 18-day shoot used the hotel’s faded carpets and dated decor to mirror Shelley‘s internal decay, all captured on 16mm film for that nostalgic, gritty texture.
And that stunning rooftop sunset scene with Pamela Anderson in a massive feathered headdress? Also shot right on the Rio’s roof during “blue hour,” proving that even a “shit box” can look magical with the right lighting.
What was filmed here:
- Casino floor and backstage corridor sequences.
- Dressing room tension scenes with the cast.
- Guest room interiors and stage manager office scenes.
- Cocktail lounge scenes with Jamie Lee Curtis.
- Iconic sunset rooftop scene with the feathered headdress.
🎰 The Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
The Plaza on Fremont Street was chosen for one reason – that glorious vintage neon. It’s the perfect visual anchor for Shelley‘s deep-rooted attachment to old-school Vegas glamour – the kind of place where showgirls were royalty and the lights never dimmed.
In one of the film’s most poignant moments, Shelley stands bathed in that iconic glow, staring at her own reflection as she wrestles with life after the final curtain call. The fictional “Razzle Dazzle” was inspired by the very real 2016 closure of Jubilee! at Bally’s, which was the last traditional showgirl revue standing – until it wasn’t.
The Plaza‘s retro charm highlights the heartbreaking contrast between the golden era of “tits-and-feathers” revues and today’s soulless mega-casinos that have taken over The Strip. That legendary neon signage has been lighting up movies and TV shows for decades, and here it adds an extra layer of melancholy nostalgia.
What was filmed here:
- Shelley‘s reflective moments contemplating her uncertain future.
- Exterior shots featuring the iconic Fremont Street neon signage.
- Scenes symbolizing Shelley’s connection to old Las Vegas.
- Nighttime sequences capturing the vintage casino atmosphere.
- Walking sequences along the historic downtown corridor.
🥩 Los Compadres Meat Market, Las Vegas
Because even showgirls need to eat. The crew headed to the unassuming Los Compadres Meat Market on Stewart Avenue to capture the “real Vegas” – the one tourists never see, where the workers actually live their lives.
It’s a far cry from the glittering casino floors, and that’s exactly the point. The sun-bleached, working-class aesthetic grounds the film in reality, reminding us that Shelley and her fellow dancers have errands to run and bills to pay just like everyone else.
What was filmed here:
- Everyday errand sequences showing characters in their daily lives.
- Natural daylight scenes contrasting with casino interiors.
- Location shots showing the working-class side of Las Vegas.
- Realistic depictions of how showgirls live off The Strip.
- Authentic neighborhood scenes away from tourist attractions.
Book a food tour:
🗺️ The Last Showgirl Filming Locations Itinerary
Ready to walk in Shelley‘s stilettos? Here’s your quick guide to visiting the real Vegas behind the film.
- The main hub where most of the movie magic happened – backstage corridors, dressing rooms, and that iconic rooftop sunset scene.
- Pro Tip: Rent a car or rideshare since it’s off the Strip.
- The vintage neon glow that anchors Shelley‘s connection to old Vegas. Stand where she contemplated her future beneath those iconic lights.
- Pro Tip: Visit after dark when the neon truly comes alive.
- Grounds the film in the “real Vegas” where workers actually live.
- Pro Tip: Grab a bite – this is where locals eat.
🎬 Las Vegas Movie Experiences
- Welcome to Las Vegas Sign: The ultimate movie backdrop.
- Vintage Vegas Sights & Sounds: Bugsy Siegel and the Rat Pack.
- The Neon Museum: Iconic Vegas marquees from countless films.
- John Wick Las Vegas Continental: Experience the world of John Wick.
- Fear & Loathing Tour in Vegas: Explore iconic film spots in themed costumes.
- Bellagio Fountains: Featured in Ocean’s Eleven and Last Vegas.
- Caesars Palace: Starred in The Hangover and Rain Man.
- ARIA Resort & Casino: Featured in Last Vegas and Jason Bourne.
- MGM Grand: Appeared in Now You See Me and Vegas Vacation.
- Treasure Island: Featured in Miss Congeniality 2 and Knocked Up.
- The Cosmopolitan: Featured in the 2025 Formula One film F1.
🚗 Getting Around
- Rideshare works best for hopping between locations.
- Rental car is ideal for off-Strip spots like the meat market and parking lot.
- Book guided Las Vegas tours to cover more ground.
🌤️ Best Time to Go
- Visit between September and May for mild weather.
- Avoid July-August unless you enjoy melting.
- Evenings are perfect for Fremont Street neon.
- Sunset “blue hour” is your chance for a “Shelley moment.”
💡 Quick Travel Tips
- Stay downtown for affordability and proximity.
- Book Neon Museum tours in advance.
- Take a celebrity chefs or downtown food tour.
- Bring water, comfortable shoes, and a camera.
- The vintage neon makes for stunning photos.
❓ The Last Showgirl FAQs
Feathers, film, and family drama – answers to your burning questions below.
What is The Last Showgirl about?
The Last Showgirl is about a 50-something Las Vegas showgirl who faces an uncertain future when her 30-year revue is suddenly cancelled.
What year is The Last Showgirl set in?
The Last Showgirl (2025) film is set in present-day Las Vegas, though Shelley’s old-fashioned lifestyle creates a timeless feel.
Where was The Last Showgirl filmed?
The movie was filmed almost entirely on location in Las Vegas, Nevada, with key scenes at the Rio Hotel and Casino, the Plaza Hotel and Casino, and the Los Compadres Meat Market, all captured over an 18-day shoot on a budget of under $2 million.
Is The Last Showgirl based on a true story?
No, but screenwriter Kate Gersten drew inspiration from the real-life Jubilee! showgirls and the closure of their revue in 2016. The fictional show “Razzle Dazzle” was inspired by this historic closure, marking the end of the last traditional showgirl revue on the Las Vegas Strip.
What was The Last Showgirl filming style?
Director Gia Coppola and cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw chose 16mm film in a widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Panavision anamorphic lenses for a nostalgic, gritty, textured look that contrasts sharply with typical Hollywood treatments of Las Vegas.
Did Pamela Anderson wear real showgirl costumes?
Yes, the costumes and iconic feathered headdresses were actual archival pieces from the Jubilee! show, designed by fashion icons Bob Mackie and Peter Menefee, loaned to the production by Caesars Entertainment. They were so heavy they caused genuine neck strain during filming.
Who wrote the screenplay?
Kate Gersten wrote the screenplay, originally as a stage play while studying at Juilliard 11 years prior to the film’s production, completing it in just one week after a visit to Las Vegas where she watched aging Jubilee! dancers pour their hearts out for dwindling crowds.
What inspired the fictional show “Razzle Dazzle”?
The fictional show was directly inspired by the real-life 2016 closure of Jubilee! at Bally’s, which was the last traditional, large-scale “tits-and-feathers” showgirl revue on the Las Vegas Strip.
How did Pamela Anderson get cast in the film?
Director Gia Coppola cast Anderson after watching her 2023 Netflix documentary, Pamela, a Love Story. Anderson‘s son, Brandon Thomas Lee, served as a producer on the documentary and personally delivered the script to his mother after her agent initially rejected it without showing her.
Why did Jamie Lee Curtis film her scenes first?
Because Curtis only had four days available in her schedule, the production rearranged its entire plan to shoot all of her cocktail lounge and dressing room scenes first at the Rio Hotel and Casino.
What was The Last Showgirl ending?
Shelly performs one final show, imagining her daughter watching proudly, then walks off stage into an uncertain future – bittersweet and beautifully unresolved.
How long was the filming schedule?
The entire movie was shot over a brisk 18-day schedule on a budget of under $2 million, making it an impressively efficient independent production.
Is The Last Showgirl streaming on Netflix?
No, but Pamela Anderson‘s documentary, Pamela, a Love Story, which helped her land the role, is available there.
🍿 Where to Watch The Last Showgirl
Catch this career-defining comeback performance from Pamela Anderson. Here’s where The Last Showgirl is streaming.
- Amazon Prime Video: Available to rent or buy in high definition.
- DVD and Blu-ray: Exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus features.
- Other platforms: Apple TV/iTunes, Google Play/YouTube, Vudu/Fandango At Home, HBO Max.
In the end, The Last Showgirl proves that even in a city built on illusions, the most powerful stories are the ones grounded in gritty, beautiful reality.
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is provided for entertainment purposes only. We don’t guarantee the accuracy of any of these facts and don’t recommend making important life decisions based on them. All referenced titles, names, and related intellectual property are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
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