After all, blondes are the most fun!
As Marilyn Monroe’s milestone birthday approaches, fans have celebrated the legendary blonde bombshell by attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people like Marilyn Monroe.
More than 1,000 people turned out in Palm Springs on Saturday to pay their respects to the film legend ahead of his 100th birthday on June 1.
The goal was to surpass the current record — of 254 Marilyns in one place set in 2020 — and fill the streets with “a sea of white dresses and blonde curls,” according to the website “Marilyn 100 A Centennial Celebration and World Record Attempt.”
Called “The Great Marilyn Record Attempt” many pay to participate in an event like it in Downtown Park next to the “Forever Marilyn” statue.
“The 26-foot statue of Seward Johnson was a tourist attraction during his first visit to Palm Springs,” according to the local tourist site.
Both men and women came out rocking platinum blonde hair or big blonde wigs for the big event.
A sea of black contestants filled the downtown area, with hundreds wearing a replica of Monroe’s stylish white dress she wore in the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch.”
The dress was featured in one of the film’s most iconic scenes, when Monroe’s character walks down a hot New York City street and a gust of wind from a passing subway train whips up her skirt as she stands on a grate.
For a $75 entry fee, contestants received a “Subway signature white” dress, a styled platinum blonde wig, visit Palm Springs cat sunglasses, and a martini glass.
And to count, participants must be wearing red lipstick and a Marilyn outfit, reports KSEQ.
The record-breaking contest is part of a weekend-long celebration honoring the “Some Like it Hot” queen who always manages to heat up the big screen, with her big looks and sultry voice.
Organizers say that to make this record happen, it will take more than just wearing a nice dress and a new red lipstick.
“When people come in, they’re going to scan a QR code that confirms they’re here,” editor Ron deHarte told The Hollywood Times.
“That’s part of how we use technology to document participation and ensure people’s presence.”
DeHarte told the media that he feels confident that the record will be broken, adding that they have more than 1,000 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 tumultuous childhood and marriage and a 16-year-old marriage to become one of the most recognizable faces of the 20th century and an enduring cultural icon after her death in 1962.
The three-day Palm Springs celebration includes live entertainment, food vendors, Marilyn Monroe-themed pop ups and more.
In addition, the city hosts a legacy film festival to honor all of his contributions to movies.
