It seems the allure of Marilyn Monroe is as timeless as ever, with fans proving that blondes truly do have more fun. As the iconic star’s 100th birthday draws near, admirers gathered in Palm Springs to try and break a Guinness World Record for the most Marilyn Monroe look-alikes in one place.
On Saturday, over a thousand enthusiasts turned out to pay tribute to the glamorous film icon ahead of her centennial on June 1. Their aim was to surpass the standing record of 254 Marilyn impersonators, set in 2020, by flooding the streets with a dazzling “sea of white dresses and blonde curls,” according to the organizers of “Marilyn 100: A Centennial Celebration and World Record Attempt.”
Nicknamed “The Great Marilyn Record Attempt,” the event drew numerous participants who paid to join the festivities in Downtown Park, gathering around the towering “Forever Marilyn” statue.
The 26-foot sculpture, created by artist Seward Johnson, has been a major attraction since its debut in Palm Springs, becoming a beloved landmark as noted by local tourism resources.
Dubbed the “The Great Marilyn Record Attempt” many paid to enter the look-a-like event in Downtown Park around the “Forever Marilyn” statue.
“The 26-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson was a tourism phenomenon during her initial Palm Springs debut,” per an area tourist site.
Both men and women turned up rocking either platinum blonde hair or big blonde wigs for the big event.
The sea of blonde contestants filled the downtown area, with hundreds wearing a replica of Monroe’s iconic white halter style dress that she wore in the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch.”
The dress appeared in one of film’s most iconic scenes, when Monroe’s character walks a hot New York City street and a gust of air from a passing subway train billows her skirt as she stands over a grate.
For a $75 entry fee, contestants scored the “signature white “Subway” dress, stylized platinum blonde wig, visit Palm Springs cat-eye sunglasses, and a martini glass.
And to be counted, participants must have worn the red lipstick and Marilyn attire, KSEQ reported.
The record-breaking contest is all part of a weekend-long festivities to honor the “Some Like it Hot” queen who always knew how to heat up the big screen, with her big looks and sultry voice.
Organizers said to make the record happen, it would take more than just putting on a pretty dress and fresh red lipstick.
“When folks arrive, they’ll scan a QR code that confirms they’re physically here,” organizer Ron deHarte told Hollywood Times.
“That’s part of how we’re using technology to document participation and verify attendance.”
DeHarte told the outlet he felt confident the record would be broken, adding that they had more than a thousand people in attendance. The current record is held by a group in Australia with 254 participants in 2020.
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights neighborhood, Marilyn Monroe overcame a turbulent childhood in foster care and a marriage at 16 to become one of the most recognizable faces of the 20th century and an enduring cultural icon long after her 1962 death from a sedative overdose at age 36.
The three-day long Palm Springs celebration includes live entertainment, food vendors, Marilyn Monroe-themed pop ups and more.
In addition, the city is hosting a legacy film event to honor all her contributions to movies.
