- An exclusive inside look into the captivating world of the renowned model and reality star through a thought-provoking Netflix documentary titled “You Don’t Know Me.”
- This groundbreaking film delves into the myths surrounding her persona while unearthing astonishing truths.
- As the documentary unfolds, the voices of her closest friends and family shed light on her life, providing unique insights and perspectives.
Anna Nicole Smith experienced three years of fame and twelve years of infamy until her untimely demise in 2007 due to an accidental overdose.
Throughout that period, the Texas-born icon rapidly ascended to the pinnacle of stardom, only to subsequently face a series of downward spirals.
Currently, Netflix offers a fresh perspective on her life with the release of the documentary “Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me,” available for streaming from May 16. This compelling film not only delves into the enigmatic existence of Anna Nicole Smith but also exposes the concealed truths behind the web of deception and affection that surrounded her.
Anna Nicole Smith’s Quest to Discover Herself Amidst Others’ Expectations
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, director Ursula Macfarlane reflects on Anna Nicole Smith’s persona, describing her as an embodiment of female perfection. According to Macfarlane, Anna Nicole continuously strived to fulfill the expectations imposed upon her by others. The director questions whether Anna Nicole ever truly discovered her own authentic identity, emphasizing the complexity of her journey. Macfarlane’s insights shed light on the multifaceted nature of Anna Nicole’s existence.
“She was this icon of female perfection,” director Ursula said. “Throughout her life, she was just trying to be what she thought other people wanted her to be. I don’t know if Anna Nicole truly knew who she herself was.”
In 1992, Anna Nicole Smith’s remarkable beauty propelled her from being a server at a modest fried chicken joint in a small town to gracing the cover of Playboy and becoming the iconic face of Guess jeans.
Her talent also secured her roles in notable films like “Naked Gun 33 ⅓” and “The Hudsucker Proxy.” She captivated audiences through towering billboards, enchanting late-night talk show hosts such as Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall, and gracing the prestigious red carpet at the Oscars.
In 1994, Anna Nicole Smith entered into a marriage with J. Howard Marshall, an 89-year-old billionaire. Tragically, she would soon experience the loss of her husband to pneumonia, followed by a legal battle over his fortune with his son that reached the Supreme Court.
The Pain and Addiction Behind the Extravagant Lifestyle
During this trying period, Anna Nicole endured the heavy burden of a debilitating drug addiction. She also faced exploitation at the hands of individuals who professed love for her. Moreover, she made allegations of abuse inflicted upon her by her own mother and, disturbingly, likely endured instances of sexual abuse from her father during her adulthood.
Being constantly pursued by paparazzi proved both incessant and profitable for Anna Nicole Smith. Despite the challenges, she often remarked, “It’s terrible the things I have to do to be me. You got to give people want they want, baby!”
In 2002, she decided to expose her life to reality television cameras, fully embracing the spotlight. The theme song of her show, “The Anna Nicole Show,” included the lyrics, “Anna, Anna, Anna, really truly outrageous.” According to her friend Patrik Simpson, she truly embodied those words.
Uncle George Beall reminisces that Hollywood propelled Anna Nicole onto the fast track, although her aspirations as a teenager were to become a comedic actress akin to Carol Burnett. He believes that the allure of fame had a detrimental effect on her life. However, amidst the fascination surrounding Anna Nicole, there are still lingering questions.
Her friend Missy Byrum bluntly states that Anna Nicole fabricated many aspects of her life.
Missy Byrum, 55, crossed paths with Anna Nicole Smith, who had adopted the stage name “Nicki” at a Houston strip club in the early 1990s. While working together, Byrum noticed that Nicki stood out among the dancers. Byrum explains, “All of us girls had experienced some form of abuse, and we would share our stories with one another. But Nicki didn’t have any of that in her past.”
The dynamics of emotional attention seemed to follow a certain equation: sharing sad stories equaled receiving attention. However, Byrum was taken aback when she discovered that Smith was recounting Byrum’s own tale of abuse as her own. The revelation shocked and surprised Byrum, revealing a distressing deception in their relationship.
“Nicki adapted to get what she needed,” Byrum claims. “She started to manifest the character of Anna Nicole” years before Guess designer Paul Marciano gave her the name. “She learned from stripping that guys like to believe you’re stupid if you’re that pretty. She always said, ‘It takes a smart person to be really dumb.’”
Becoming Anna Nicole Smith required significant effort and numerous cosmetic procedures, as revealed by Byrum. She shares that Smith underwent various treatments, including gum surgery to enlarge her teeth and having the skin around her areolas smoothed by a cosmetic specialist to address stretch marks caused by pregnancy. These procedures caused ongoing discomfort, and Smith experienced constant pain. She underwent four breast augmentations, which marked the onset of her addiction to pain medication, according to Byrum, who has also battled substance abuse herself.
Byrum describes Smith’s remarkable tolerance, recalling instances where she would consume a high quantity of pills like 15 Klonopins and 12 Valiums alongside alcohol.
At the time Smith gained fame, she was already involved with J. Howard Marshall, whom she had initially met while working as a dancer. Marshall provided her with a house, diamonds, a car, and stability for herself and her son Daniel.
According to Beall, Smith had a genuine love for Marshall and deeply appreciated his care and support. She didn’t want people to believe she was solely interested in his wealth. Beall, along with Aunt Kay, advised her to prioritize her feelings and disregard public opinion, saying, “If you love him, don’t worry about what others think!”
Byrum describes Mr. Marshall as a highly intelligent individual who understood that Anna Nicole Smith was a young woman with specific needs. He granted her the freedom to pursue relationships with younger companions, affectionately referred to as “boy toys” or similar terms.
Byrum affirms that Smith’s charm and charisma captivated everyone around her, including Byrum herself. “I, too, fell in love with her,” Byrum admits, acknowledging the profound impact that Smith had on those who crossed paths with her.
Their relationship commenced as a clandestine affair in 1992, and according to Byrum, Smith actually proposed to her in 1993. Byrum reminisces about their impromptu backyard wedding by the pool, where they exchanged rings and celebrated with champagne. Smith expressed a desire for them to start a family together. However, Byrum had a deep-rooted understanding that their union was destined for disappointment since Smith was not inclined to commit to a single partner.
When Smith’s addiction became overwhelming for Byrum, she decided to step away from the relationship. Byrum explains that Smith’s insatiable need for love surpassed what any individual could provide.
The Many Faces of Anna Nicole: From Female Icon to Shrewd Businesswoman
Smith’s closest friends, including Pol’ Atteu and Simpson, maintain that Anna Nicole was a multifaceted character. The couple, renowned for their Beverly Hills atelier and reality show “Gown and Out in Beverly Hills,” formed a close bond with Smith during the final years of her life.
According to Atteu, Smith skillfully portrayed the role of Anna Nicole, demonstrating two distinct personas. One was the larger-than-life celebrity superstar and television personality—the exaggerated, seemingly naïve blonde that the public craved and that would secure her financial gains.
However, there was another side to Smith that Atteu describes as profoundly human. He reveals a shrewd businesswoman who would make deals with paparazzi, strategically disclosing her whereabouts to generate income. This alternate persona recognized that sad narratives, even if they were not her own, would yield higher financial returns.
Documentary producer Alexandra Lacey notes how society often idealizes celebrities, particularly women, often favoring blonde stereotypes. However, when these idols reveal their flaws, vulnerabilities, and the profound physical and psychological pain they endure, public interest diminishes rapidly.
“We idealize these types of celebrities, usually women, oftentimes blonde. Then they show us flaws, vulnerabilities, and in her case, a lot of physical and psychological pain. Then, suddenly, we don’t wanna know them anymore,” says Lacey.
In the documentary, Virgie Mae Hogan, Smith’s mother who passed away in 2018, recalls a conversation where she questioned her daughter about her tendency to lie. Hogan shares this poignant moment, revealing Smith’s response: “I earn more money when I tell sorrowful tales compared to when I share positive stories. Every time my name is in the headlines, it translates to financial gain. If the news is particularly negative, something truly terrible, I can make 50 times the amount I would if it were a positive story.”
The narrative of “sad stories” surrounding Anna Nicole Smith persisted even after her passing. Following her funeral, there ensued a lengthy court battle between her lawyer and partner, Howard K. Stern, and Larry Birkhead over the paternity of Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn. Eventually, Birkhead was confirmed as her father.
Presently, while her loved ones earnestly desire peace for her, it is evident that they truly understood Anna Nicole Smith.
Byrum vividly recalls the chaotic spectacle surrounding her death, remarking, “There was such a circus when she passed away. She would have reveled in it. I thought, ‘She will leave this world just as she lived in it. She will garner all the attention.’ And she certainly did.”
The enduring legacy of Anna Nicole Smith embodies her unyielding ability to captivate public attention, even in her final moments.
Anna Nicole Smith died at the age of 39.