Tomei was too pretty for the role
She was supposed to be a past-her-prime hottie who no longer has the looks to attract men. Looking at her, though, I still saw a 10/10 beauty, which was inconsistent with her character.
For example, there was a scene in the strip club where the guy refused a dance from her. In another scene, the young men were mocking her age.
But I can't imagine anyone treating a beauty like her that way.