Reality TV star Kim Kardashian stirred controversy by donning Marilyn Monroe’s iconic ‘Happy Birthday Mr President’ dress at the Met Gala. Monroe famously wore the dress during her sultry performance for John F. Kennedy in 1962.
Kardashian faced criticism for losing 16 pounds in three weeks to fit into the dress and was accused of damaging the historic garment. Reports suggested fraying and bead loss from the dress. The biggest controversy arose when Kardashian revealed that some people were unaware of Monroe’s identity until she wore the dress.
During an appearance on the Today Show, Kardashian told host Savannah: “We were just talking, you said you were shocked on TikTok, some people don’t even know who Marilyn Monroe was.” She expressed her surprise and gratitude for the opportunity to wear the dress, hoping to keep Monroe’s legacy alive.
These photos of the damage done to Marilyn Monroe’s dress before and after it was worn by Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala… I need to go lay down pic.twitter.com/63QwC8l10J
— Sarah McGonagall (@gothspiderbitch) June 13, 2022
Monroe wore the tight dress at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962, just three months before her death, which was ruled an overdose. Kardashian emphasised her respect for Monroe and the dress’s significance in American history. She believed the Met Gala’s American theme made Monroe’s dress a perfect choice.
Kardashian described the meticulous process of wearing the dress. She arrived at the red carpet in a robe and slippers, changed into the dress at the bottom of the carpet, wore it for about four minutes, and then changed at the top of the stairs. She assured that the dress remained undamaged, stating that Ripley’s staff handled it with care.
In a previous interview with Vogue, Kardashian explained her weight loss journey, involving wearing a sauna suit twice a day, running on the treadmill, cutting out sugar and carbs, and eating clean vegetables and protein. She later addressed the criticism, stating she’s not trying to lose more weight but has more energy after changing her lifestyle and cutting out junk food.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Guardian article discusses Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala appearance wearing Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress, with allegations of permanent damage, sparking debate over preservation and historical significance.(read more)
- Harpers Bazaar reports Kim Kardashian defends wearing Marilyn Monroe’s iconic ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ dress to the 2022 Met Gala, despite controversy over dress damage and designer Bob Mackie’s criticism.(read more)
- Forbes explains the Kim Kardashian dress controversy, detailing how she was forced to diet to fit into the Marilyn Monroe dress designed for Monroe’s figure, sparking criticism.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did Kim Kardashian wear Marilyn Monroe’s dress at the Met Gala?
She wore it to honor Monroe and fit the Met Gala’s American theme.
How did Kim Kardashian lose weight for the dress?
She wore a sauna suit, ran on a treadmill, cut out sugar and carbs, and ate clean vegetables and protein.
Did Kim Kardashian damage Marilyn Monroe’s dress?
She assured the dress remained undamaged, with Ripley’s staff handling it carefully.
What was the biggest controversy about Kim wearing the dress?
The controversy arose when she revealed some people didn’t know who Marilyn Monroe was.
How long did Kim Kardashian wear Marilyn Monroe’s dress?
She wore it for about four minutes at the Met Gala.