However, the biggest sin of “Almost Famous,” according to Des Barres, is showing Penny Lane nearly dying from a drug overdose after being rejected by a man.
I hate that the word is used in a negative way, but anyway - was not owning herself, not owning groupie-dom and what it actually means…I’ve been trying to redeem the word ‘groupie’ for most of my life.” We don’t have intercourse with these guys. He actually said, ‘What can I do to make it up to you?’ I said, ‘I should have been a consultant.’”Īs for the film itself, Des Barres dislikes the moment in which Hudson’s Penny Lane corrects the film’s protagonist for calling her a groupie. But then I saw him a few years ago, and he sort of apologized. 'Loki': Everything You Need to Know About Marvel's Disney+ SeriesĢ021 Emmy Predictions: Who Will Win at the Primetime Emmy Awards?ĭes Barres wrote a film script based on her life but “Almost Famous” and Penny Lane’s popularity “made it impossible for me to sell my film.” The actress added, “I confronted after this film came out, and he basically dismissed me. 'Listening to Kenny G' Review: Penny Lane Can Challenge Conventional Wisdom Better Than Anyoneīefore 'Almost Famous' Exit, Brad Pitt Used PlayStation to Form Connection with Patrick Fugit Barres says Penny Lane was “stolen” and “ripped off” from her considering Hudson told her she read her book, “I’m With the Band,” for research and hung up photos of Des Barres in her dressing room. She looked way more like me.” Barres says, noting her issue was with Crowe never consulting her about the project. “That character was basically more me than Bebe Buell or Pennie Trumbull. In an interview with Vulture, Des Barres says she was “actually dumbstruck” when she first saw the film considering how much Penny Lane resembled her. Hudson would earn an Oscar nomination for Penny Lane, but “Almost Famous” mostly remains a point of contention for the woman who inspired the actress’s portrayal. Rock n’ roll groupie Pamela Des Barres was one of Kate Hudson’s biggest inspirations for Penny Lane, along with fellow groupie Pennie Lane Trumbull and singer Bebe Buell. Cameron Crowe’s “ Almost Famous” is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, but not everyone is head-over-heels in love with the coming-of-age classic.