Why Do People Hate Marilyn Monroe?
Marilyn Monroe was one of the most famous actresses and sex symbols of the 1950s. However, despite her iconic status, she has also been a controversial figure who has drawn significant criticism and backlash over the years. In this article, we’ll explore some of the main reasons why Marilyn Monroe has her detractors and has garnered hatred from certain groups and individuals.
Her Hyper-Sexualized Public Image
One of the biggest sources of criticism towards Marilyn Monroe stems from her hyper-sexualized public image. Monroe often played the stereotypical “blonde bombshell” characters in her films, oozing sexuality and sensuality. She also did multiple nude modeling shoots and posed for racy pinup photos early in her career.
While Monroe’s sex symbol status certainly helped catapult her to stardom, many saw her sexualized image as anti-feminist and setting back women’s progress. Critics argued that Monroe reinforced negative female stereotypes and allowed men to objectify her as just a body and face rather than respecting her as a serious actress.
Modeled Nude Early On
Early in her modeling career, a desperate Monroe posed fully nude for photographer Tom Kelley in 1949. The nude photos were published in calendars and men’s magazines without her consent years later when she was already famous. This caused a major scandal at the time and cemented Monroe’s reputation as more of a sexual object than serious actress.
Often Played “Dumb Blonde” Stereotype
In hit films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot, Monroe typically played a beautiful but ditzy, sensual blonde whose sexuality was her most defining feature. She frequently portrayed characters who used their looks and sex appeal to get ahead. Critics said this perpetuated negative stereotypes about women.
Sex Symbol Status Led to Objectification
Because of her status as the ultimate sex symbol, Monroe was viewed more as an object of desire than a real person. Obsessed fans and the media fixated more on her measurements, clothing, and rumored sex life than on her acting skills and intellect.
Struggles and Scandals in Her Personal Life
Beyond just her public image, Monroe’s very turbulent personal life also contributed to negative perceptions of her over the years. Monroe endured many struggles and became embroiled in scandals that damaged her reputation.
Mental Health Issues & Substance Abuse Problems
Monroe suffered from severe mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and possible bipolar disorder. She also developed alcohol and prescription pill addictions. Her unstable mental state and substance issues led to unpredictable behavior, like frequently arriving late on set or having emotional breakdowns.
Reputation as a Homewrecker
When she was married to her second husband, baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, Monroe had a very public affair with her married Gentlemen Prefer Blondes co-star Tommy Ewell. This cemented her reputation as a homewrecker willing to sleep her way to the top.
Alleged Affairs with Married President JFK
Monroe’s most scandalous alleged affair was with President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s while he was married to Jackie Kennedy. Their reported trysts again painted Monroe as reckless and lacking morals.
Drug Overdose Death at 36
Monroe’s early death at just 36 years old in 1962 from a likely drug overdose added to her image as a tragic, out-of-control figure and sex symbol who ultimately self-destructed.
Perceived Lack of Real Talent or Intelligence
Aside from her scandal-ridden personal life, detractors of Marilyn Monroe also criticized her supposed lack of any real acting talent or intelligence. She was viewed by some as merely a sexy caricature who got by on her looks alone.
Seen Primarily as a Sex Symbol, Not Actress
Despite yearning to be taken seriously as an actress, the public was never able to look beyond Monroe’s sex symbol status and acknowledge any acting chops she did possess. She remained trapped and typecast as a bombshell.
Assumed to Lack Intelligence and Substance
Because of the stereotypical dumb blonde characters Monroe often played, many wrongly assumed she lacked intelligence and substance in real life. In reality, Monroe had a very high IQ and was an avid reader interested in literature and the arts.
Never Won Major Acting Awards
Monroe’s acting abilities were never recognized by her peers in the industry either. She was never even nominated for an Academy Award, Emmy, or Tony despite her stardom. This cemented the perception that she was not a serious actress.
Relied on Her Looks and Sensuality
There’s a perception that Monroe coasted on her sensuality and didn’t put in effort to grow and improve as an actress. She never lost her insecurities about her talent and often used her sex appeal to cover up her uncertainties.
Over-the-Top Media Coverage and Obsession
As one of the biggest celebrities of the 1950s, Monroe received massive amounts of media attention that grew increasingly obsessive and critical as her career and personal life deteriorated. The over-the-top media coverage further damaged her image.
Non-Stop Focus on Personal Life
The press seemed to cover every minute detail of Monroe’s personal affairs, romances, mental health, substance abuse, and more. This likely contributed to her downfall but also led to an unfairly harsh judgment of her character.
Paparazzi & Harassment Contributed to Her Spiral
Monroe was constantly hounded by paparazzi and reporters harassing her in public and in private. This no doubt exacerbated her insecurities, anxiety and substance abuse issues. However, the public often cruelly blamed her instead of the harassing media attention.
Unflattering Portrayals Posthumously
After her death, Monroe has been portrayed in books and films as everything from a narcissistic diva to a tragic, pathetic figure. These often exaggerated, one-dimensional portrayals have further cemented an unsympathetic image of her in the public imagination.
Her Legacy of Sexualization Endures
Despite shifts in cultural attitudes since the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe’s hyper-sexualized image still endures today. Many feminists argue that this continuing legacy does a disservice to women.
Inspired Raunchy Celebs and Pop Culture
With her nude photos, rumored affairs, and sex symbol status, Monroe set a precedent of sexualization in Hollywood that influenced raunchier celebrities like Madonna and Miley Cyrus decades later. Her legacy is evident in pop culture’s ongoing objectification of women.
Inspired Modern Sex Symbols
Modern singers and actresses listed Monroe among their key inspirations for selling sex appeal, from Britney Spears to Scarlett Johansson’s recent nude photo controversy. Monroe essentially paved the way for today’s constant objectification of female celebrities.
Showed Sex Sells
While Monroe proved that being sexy certainly sells, many believe she took it too far and showed the entertainment industry you could sacrifice dignity and self-respect as a woman and still achieve fame if you were sexual enough.
Perceived Lack of Strong Feminist Stance
Given Monroe’s sexy image and tumultuous personal life, she failed to embody the ideal of the strong, independent woman. As such, she has drawn criticism from feminists arguing she did not use her platform to promote women’s equality.
Did Not Speak Out on Women’s Issues
Despite Monroe’s massive fame and influence, she failed to ever speak out in support of feminist causes during her career. She did not lend her voice or platform to advocating for women’s rights.
Lived as a Victim and Lacked Agency
From her mental health struggles to alleged abuse by ex-husbands, Monroe tended to live her life more as a victim than trailblazing feminist icon. She did not display strength, confidence or agency in charge of her own choices and destiny.
Did Not Stand Up to Sexism in Hollywood
Monroe failed to stand up to the rampant sexism in 1950s Hollywood that typecast her and judged her more for her looks and scandalous behavior than her talent. She did not speak out about industry sexism or demand more substantive roles.
Conclusion
In closing, Marilyn Monroe has faced significant backlash and hatred throughout the decades since her tragic death in 1962. While no doubt a pop culture icon, she has drawn criticism from feminists, intellectuals, and moralists over her hyper-sexualized image, turbulent personal life, perceived lack of talent, and lack of strong advocacy for women’s rights. However, in many ways Monroe was as much a victim of an exploitative Hollywood system and judgmental society as anything else. She remains a complex, divisive figure who provokes both worship and contempt with her lasting, sexualized legacy. Monroe’s story illustrates the harsh judgment society inflicts on famous women who fail to live up to expectations and ideals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Marilyn Monroe pose nude?
Early in her modeling career before becoming a star, a desperate and broke Marilyn Monroe posed fully nude for photographer Tom Kelley in 1949. The nude modeling shoot earned her just $50 at the time, but the photos were later published in calendars and men’s magazines without her consent, catapulting her to stardom as a sex symbol.
What mental health issues did Marilyn Monroe suffer from?
Monroe suffered from severe anxiety, depression and possible bipolar disorder throughout her life and career. Her mental health struggles often disrupted filming schedules, with Monroe frequently arriving late on set or having emotional breakdowns. She abused alcohol and pills which likely made her conditions worse.
Who were Marilyn Monroe’s most famous alleged affairs?
Monroe’s most famous alleged affair was with President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s while he was married. She also apparently had affairs with co-stars like Yves Montand during filming and caused scandals for having a public affair with Joe DiMaggio while he was married to his second wife Dorothy.
Why did Marilyn Monroe die so young?
Monroe died in August 1962 at just 36 years old from a likely drug overdose ruled as probable suicide. Her early death was the result of her struggles with mental illness and substance abuse issues. The constant media harassment and failed relationships she endured exacerbated her issues.
Did Marilyn Monroe ever win any major acting awards?
Despite her stardom, Monroe was never nominated for an Academy Award, Emmy or Tony over the course of her career. She was seen primarily as a sex symbol rather than serious actress by Hollywood, and never won recognition from the industry for her acting skills before her premature death.
