Love, Pamela: A Memoir of Prose, Poetry, and Truth

Anderson met Robert James “Bob” Ritchie, better known by the stage name Kid Rock, at a charity concert and soon fell for him. The two married in Saint-Tropez after some partying with their friends in Vegas. Bob was jealous of Anderson’s close friendship with the photographer David LaChappelle and was dubious that LaChappelle really was gay. Nevertheless, Anderson maintained the friendship and collaborated with LaChappelle on a video for Elton John’s Vegas concert. In the video, Anderson pole-dances to the song “The Bitch is Back.” Being in the company of LaChappelle and other artist friends made Anderson feel liberated and free to express herself.

Anderson spent more time in Detroit, Bob’s hometown, and spent a lot of time with his musician friends. Their personal differences made life together difficult, and Anderson often sought time by herself to recalibrate. She had a weakness for Bob’s love songs and would usually forgive him before long. When Anderson made a cameo appearance in Borat, she did not tell Bob before the screening. Anderson’s role and the film’s reference to her sex tape angered Bob, who called Anderson a “whore” and angrily drove off, embarrassing Anderson and leaving her stranded. At home, he smashed a photo in a tantrum.