Modern women have nothing to gain from idolising the primped and preened blonde icon.
She was the archetypal blonde bombshell, the epitome of femininity distilled into one perfect body.
Almost 50 years since the tragic death of Marilyn Monroe her image is still held up as representing the ideal of womanhood. Previously unseen photographs of the actor, published in a new book commemorating that grim anniversary, have been greeted with renewed praise for her “flawless complexion” and “sensational curves”.
Today, when popular opinion turns its critical gaze on female entertainers, they are usually found lacking in comparison. Too skinny, too muscly, too this, too that.
For many, Monroe was the ultimate woman and her “natural” charms and size 12 figure are constantly referenced. They don’t make ’em like that any more.
But this rose-tinted view is a fallacy. If the Hollywood starlet was an emerging actress today, her healthy weight would be discussed ad nauseum. Paparazzi pictures of her putting out the rubbish in her pyjamas would be pored over and she would be subjected to the cruel circle of shame like any other modern-day celebrity.
Being an icon before the days of mass magazine coverage and Twitter had its advantages; it allowed stars to retain an air of mystery.
The fact is that Monroe, naturally pretty, was as primped, preened and repackaged as any contemporary diva. Her modelling career began when she was photographed working at a munitions factory but that wholesome image was swiftly replaced.
On hearing that the modelling agency wanted light-haired models, Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortensen Baker) dyed her auburn tresses blonde.
Three years later, a studio head arranged for her slight overbite to be corrected. Her agent had a bump removed from her nose and there have been rumours about other plastic surgery. Finally, her make-up artist dyed her hair platinum blonde, in preparation for the film Niagara, and declared that “the look was established”.
It is that “look” that is immortalised in the newly published pictures, which were taken by portrait photographer Philippe Halsman in 1952, the year she filmed Niagara and won the lead role in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Monroe’s image was manufactured by the men for whom she worked. Now, half a century later, she is held up as the ultimate woman. The buxom, pouting blonde is still seen by many as the most desirable physique but so, more worryingly, is her persona: overtly sexual, coy, subservient and baby-voiced.
In truth, there is nothing in the film star’s life for any women to emulate, for it was ultimately a sad one, ending with her death from a suspected drug overdose in August, 1962.
Monroe realised early on that sex appeal was her ticket to the big time.
Later, when she tried to assert herself as a serious actor, she was mostly sidelined. It was sexy, doe-eyed innocence or nothing, so she accepted her fate and played the bimbo.
Portrayed as fragile, passive and vulnerable, she was destined to forever play the ingenue, presenting her sexuality on a plate for others to decide what to do with it.
Her life was dominated by decisions made by others – husbands, lovers, agents and studio heads. When she was a child, her mother was institutionalised. She was bounced from one foster home to another and reputedly abused by at least one man. Her final years were marked by heartbreak and illness.
Thankfully, today’s female stars, for all their faults, have rejected the role of vulnerable plaything. Take Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron or Madonna – all successful women who are not to be messed with.
Sexuality is still on show, perhaps even more so, but these women own it, they are not passive. Look at N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos.
After she was catapulted to fame by a job on The X Factor, a sex tape of her was posted online. Instead of responding as a woman shamed, Tulisa hit back by posting a film of herself talking about her feelings of betrayal.
Marilyn Monroe led the life she did, so that we don’t have to. Hers is a cautionary tale of a beautiful girl who was used, abused, reduced to a sex object, and who died a terrible, lonely death.
Half a century on, it is truly time to say Goodbye, Norma Jeane. Rest in peace.
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