Many people have asked me why I chose the iconic Marilyn Monroe to be the face of all I have to say. First of all, any writer will tell you how extremely difficult it is to put your thoughts on paper (or the Internet) without the fear of being rejected, or traveling too far out of your socially acceptable box! Who better to represent the freedom of being a woman, a risk taker, unafraid of her sexuality, and bold in the face of social acceptance than she? We are often taught to be more demure, to be modest, and to respect ourselves and our bodies (which often means hiding them). To speak softly, to be appropriate, and most of all, don't view ourselves as sexual beings. What? If we weren't sexual beings the entire human race would disappear! (Not to mention a lot of very frustrated men...and women for that matter!). During a time where women wore skirts below the knee, Marilyn was having her's blown up over a grate in NYC! Cheers to her! (Although, her then beau, Joe DiMaggio was really upset with her over that antic!!! But, fun fact, he loved her to the day he died!). Even after they were divorced, and Marilyn had checked into a psychiatric facility in NYC for treatment, (which she thought was a good idea until she was placed in a straight jacket and scared out of her mind!), it was the revered Yankee hero who got her out of there saying "I will tear this place down brick by brick if I have to in order to get her out of here!". Luckily, he didn't have to go that far...and had no problem freeing her from that place. However, I have no doubt he would have. Because he loved her that much...Wackiness and all!!! Year after year, it is said Joe could be seen standing silent at her grave site. Rumored to be reminiscing about the girl he cared for so deeply, but was never able to tame. (All due respect to his wife and family...She was his past...and he honored her...There is nothing wrong with that).
1954 during the filming of The Seven Year Itch. The scene infuriated her husband, Joe DiMaggio, who felt it was exhibitionist, and the couple divorced shortly afterward.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/famous-marilyn-monroe-skirt-scene-filmed
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/famous-marilyn-monroe-skirt-scene-filmed
Some people have asked me if I am a fan of her's. I never really thought of it! I wasn't a girly girl my whole life and often she was thought, by me, to be a stereotype. The ultimate pin-up girl! It has only been in recent years that I have grown to not only appreciate her, but relate to her. Every complex aspect of her and every foolish misstep. It started me thinking, we are all her! (Us women anyway, but don't get it twisted, I've seen some sexy male Marilyn impersonators and men who embrace her ways much more than a lot of females, as, some of us, sadly, stifle that side of ourselves). There are women who resent her beauty and sexual promiscuity...who feel she exploited herself. Did she? Don't we all in one form or another? She's been called a ditz and, forgive me for the throw-back, but going as far as calling her a "floozy"!!! Really? Than how did she amass such an empire and marketing genius that has long outlasted her short life? How did she become not only her own brand, but be the head of her own production company during an age when Hollywood ruled the world? Sex? Her impeccable acting talent? Come on! It had to be much more than that. It was risk taking...big balls, mixed with a little "out there" mentality that a friend of mine would refer to as "the good kind of crazy".
"I feel wonderful. I'm incorporated." -- Marilyn Monroe, 1955
Speaking about her newest venture: MARILYN MONROE PRODUCTIONS
Marilyn defied Hollywood convention by establishing her own production company at the end of 1954.
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/marilyn-monroe-later-career6.htmLet me talk about her beauty...flawless right? Did you know she had plastic surgery? My dad didn't and he was very familiar with Marilyn growing up. I'm pretty sure every teenage contemporary of his was highly interested in every fluid move the famous bombshell made! But, this girl had a very rough childhood, dreamed big, and went to great lengths to ensure she was going to be a star!!! Over fifty years later, she not only still shines as bright as the sun, but will continue to do so for many years to come. I'm really starting to sound like a fan now aren't I? Truth is, I guess I am! What strikes me most is how she wasn't flawless. She admitted publically it was hard to be her and took endless hours and a lot of help to become "Marilyn"...letting the world, and especially the housewives of America, understand that she didn't simply wake up in the morning looking like "Some Like It Hot"!!!...That she had created this persona. It gave her confidence. Confidence she did not have during her early years as a lost and abandoned "Norma Jeane Mortenson" desperate for a better life. And though there was nothing wrong with Norma Jeane, Marilyn wanted to leave her behind...or maybe, to give her a better, more beautiful life. One full of extaordinary people and the opportunity to see amazing places... To possess pretty things and leave her rags behind! To honor and love herself as no one did as a child. At least, not in the right way.
Norma Jeane becomes Marilyn
She celebrated her body in all its naked, sensual, non-photo shopped glory! She was not a size two...she was the essence of woman in its most natural form. Imperfectly perfect! She faced backlash for it and made no apologies. She wasn't just a sex symbol....She was the potential goddess we all possess inside. She simply told us it was okay to want to be wanted and loved...and to not be afraid of that! Stepford wives and timid women are boring! (Sorry, but they are). This is why she is my choice to grace the face of my words. Because, they are mine. Judge them or don't. Like them or not...It doesn't matter. (OK...it really does...please keep reading!) Because deep down there is a untamed wealth of words and thoughts not everyone likes to talk about or subjects not everyone is free enough to touch upon....A nature about me that appreciates art, talent, intelligent people, laughter, and is completely comfortable with my own body and sexuality. I embrace all of those things and continue to encourage myself in my own self-evolution. Most of all, a "Marilyn" within screaming to express herself...without fear or consequence and, more often than not, does! (I might add no doubt some issues, and I'm OK with that! Besides, I may be a married mother of two, but there are still a man or three out there that would tear down walls brick by brick if I needed them to do so...and a few women too!) xo
“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soulmate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.”
― Marilyn Monroe
