How Marilyn Monroe Fought Against ‘Dumb Blonde’ Stereotype

Marilyn Monroe was a Hollywood icon known for her glamorous looks and bombshell persona, but she constantly struggled against being typecast as the “dumb blonde” in movies.

Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926. In 1946, her modelling agent Emmeline Snively sent her to Frank Joseph’s Salon to get her hair styled for a shampoo ad. It was there that hairstylist Sylvia Barnhart straightened and lightened Monroe’s brown locks, inspiring her to fully embrace the blonde bombshell look. Barnhart continued styling Monroe’s hair for the next seven years.

While Monroe’s blonde hair and curves helped propel her to stardom, she became frustrated with always being cast in stereotypical “dumb blonde” roles. In 1954, she famously rejected a lacklustre script, saying “I think I deserve a better deal than a grade-Z cowboy movie.” She sought out more challenging roles by starting her own production company and studying method acting.

Despite achieving great success as a glamorous blonde bombshell, Monroe yearned for more depth in her roles and ultimately fought for creative freedom in her career.

The new Netflix film Blonde dives into Monroe’s struggles against typecasting, as well as her personal and romantic relationships. Fans can watch the highly anticipated film to get a deeper understanding of the Hollywood icon’s determination to break free from stereotypes and prove her talent.

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