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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jacob Stolworthy

Sacha Baron Cohen says Pamela Anderson's 'kidnap' scene in Borat caused Baywatch star's divorce

Sacha Baron Cohen has revealed that the controversial Pamela Anderson “kidnapping” scene featured in Borat had devastating repercussions for the Baywatch star's marriage.

A scene in the 2006 film sees Baron Cohen - in character as Anderson obsessive Borat) - approaches the actor at a book signing with a “traditional marriage sack” that he seemingly attempts to put her into against her will.

Baron Cohen finally acknowledged that, unlike several other shocking moments in the film, this particular set-piece was staged.

He told The Daily Beast: “We did that scene twice, actually. The first time we did it at a book signing and I grabbed her over my shoulder and ran out with her and no one did anything. I was like, 'What kind of fans are these?'

“The second take drew more of a reaction, but Anderson was accidentally injured in the ensuing struggle, losing a bit of bone in her jaw as a result of fans trying to stop Borat from kidnapping her.

Baron Cohen went on to reveal that the scene was met anger by Kid Rock, whom Anderson was married to at the time. After asking Anderson what he'd thought of her appearance, Baron Cohen claims that: “She texted back, ‘He’s getting divorced.’

“I was like, ‘why?’ And she goes, ‘The movie.’ And I thought it was a joke.”

Baron Cohen was most recently seen in Who Is America?, which saw him send up several notable figures including Dick Cheney and Roy Moore. At one stage while filming the series, he thought him and his team or producers had exposed a paedophile ring.

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