It was a hot, steamy night in Tāmaki Makaurau as we slipped into sequins, feathered headpieces (courtesy of First Scene), and our shiniest heels, ready to welcome guests to the exclusive New Zealand preview of The Last Showgirl, presented by Ensemble.

Our fabulous attendees - including our paid Substack subscribers who scored free tickets - gathered in the garden bar of the Hollywood Avondale, sipping margaritas, soaking in the sounds of vintage Vegas show tunes and admiring each other’s razzle-dazzle. The headpieces were a hit, with guests eagerly trying them on - only to quickly learn that showgirl glamour requires some serious posture skills.

We were impressed by those who braved the humidity in their finest sequins and feathers, all competing for a prize pack fit for a diva: a Shark Beauty FlexStyle adorned with 20k crystals, a curated selection of M.A.C Cosmetics and a copy of Pamela Anderson’s memoir, Love, Pamela. The grand prize went to Phoebe, who won us over the moment she arrived in an Ensemble purple feather boa.

Directed by Gia Coppola (yes, niece of Sofia and granddaughter of Francis), The Last Showgirl stars Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a longtime Vegas showgirl suddenly faced with the closure of her beloved Razzle Dazzle revue. “Feeling seen, feeling beautiful, that is powerful. And I can't imagine my life without it,” she says in what is arguably her most vulnerable role yet. She’s joined by an incredible ensemble of wāhine, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd.

Shot on dreamy 16mm film, the movie dazzles with feather-and-rhinestone-clad costumes by the legendary Bob Mackie, but beneath the glitz, it’s as devastating as it is beautiful. The haunting final scene, set to a song by Miley Cyrus, lingered with the audience long after the credits rolled.

For many, Shelly’s story - the end of a 30-year career and the uncertainty of what comes next - felt all too real for a number of women in the audience. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone that the film is part of Pamela’s own career renaissance. A tender yet cutting critique of society’s obsession with youth, wrapped in faded cinematic beauty, The Last Showgirl is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

The Last Showgirl is released in Aotearoa cinemas on March 20.