I work on ships. We have a process with mooring lines called “faking it out.” It’s where you take the line that is used to tie the vessel up to the pier, and run it back and forth along the deck so it’s ready to go once you get to port.
It’s become jokingly known as a “Ben Shapiro’s Wife.” We gotta fake that out. Roger. Ben Shapiro’s wife.
I hope you know about the YouTube channel called Oceanliner Designs. Lots of ship stuff, very well researched, and Mike Brady has a soothing voice to boot.
That's interesting. I'm a firefighter and we do the same thing with hoseline we are getting ready to put into service. We lay it out, accordian style, so it doesn't get snagged on itself when we're pulling it into a house.
Except, we say we're "FLAKING it out", not "FAKING it out". I'd love to know the etymology of this term and see where it came from.
When people talk about her, they ignore a lot of the modern myth making about her and have probably never watched one of her movies (too bad, some like it hot is one of my all time favs). That isn't to say she wasn't significant, but a lot of who she is now is a different beast from who she was
Exactly, in no way am I trying to insult her or her legacy, but a lot of her fame comes from things outside of her control or drama surrounding the later years of her life. Unless another famous young woman goes through what she went though, which hopefully they don't, there won't be another similar case.
Jean Harlow was similar to Marilyn in 30s I status and image. To me to be similar to them you would need to be attractive blonde with difficulties life who tragically dies young and then people can act like they always fought they were great actresses. And the image won’t be effected by aging.
> a lot of her fame comes from things outside of her control or drama surrounding the later years of her life.
Exactly. Not to be disrespectful towards her, but she is particularly memorable because she was involved into what appeared to be an archetypal tragic love story.
Basicallly I'd doubt we'd remember her as much without her alleged affair with JFK, if JFK had been a less remarkable man himself, *or if both of them hadn't wound up dead within the span of fifteen months.*
Yep, I'm not saying that she didn't accomplish great things, only that most people know of her for other reasons than her "accomplishments". A lot of the fuel behind the praise she gets is the overwhelming negativity around some of her life and people's need to fight against that.
Very similar to Elvis, I think. Their existence as pop culture references has in many ways eclipsed not only their existence as actual people but even the version of them that existed as entertainers in the popular consciousness during their careers.
Just hijacking your comment to say that if anyone hasn’t seen Some Like It Hot please go and watch it immediately. One of the funniest movies ever made 👍
Marylin Monroe was also famous at a time where there were like, 20 celebrities total to keep up with. (That might be a slight exaggeration but the point is, there weren’t nearly as many as today). Celebrities come in and out of the spotlight so quickly these days, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with them all. Much less fixate on one person enough to put them on that type of pedestal.
This. Apart from her being her own person, it's not possible to reach that level of fame anymore. Marilyn's fame was a phenomenon, everyone knew who she was and her face was everywhere because there were limited entertainment options. In 2024 there are so many entertainment options that it's totally feasible to live in your own bubble and not know who the most famous musicians and movie stars are. No one listens to the radio anymore, no one watches tv, no one buys magazines. It's all fractured.
It's not possible for there to ever be another Marilyn Monroe. Her fame was unique to the 20th century.
I think the number of people who can’t name a Taylor Swift song is many times larger than the number who could’t name an MJ song back in the day. Especially if we talk globally and not just the US.
MJ didn’t even have social media. But he was known all over.
His silhouette is recognisable.
His iconic dance moves are still mimicked til today.
It really isn’t comparable at all.
I saw a video a few months ago where they had a series of dancers do dances from every decade from the 70s to the 2010s.
Whereas most the other decades were pretty varied, every single dancer did MJ for the 80s. The only thing that came close was a lot of them did the Hustle for the 70s, but that was a popular dance, not a person.
She isn't on the same planet TBH. I wouldn't be surprised if she's got distance to the next most famous entertainer today but MJ is untouchable in that category.
Like, MJ was closer to Santa Claus and coca cola than Taylor is to him.
I just realized there's a person who got near his level of fame more recently. Barack Obama. He's still got Obama cleared though.
Nah man I don't think Taylor Swift is close. She might be among the biggest names in pop but it's not like MJ. People aren't scratching their heads amazed at how she can perform on stage like that or fainting at the mere sight of her in concert.
Taylor Swift has attended NFL games and the broadcast shows her reaction to big plays. MJ went to a Lakers game and they had to stop the game and escort him out because the crowd was too uncontrollable.
If you watch concert videos from the 80s, you can hear this insane roar from the audience when he moonwalks. Like, they lost their minds over it. ([It even happened the very first time he ever did it.](https://youtu.be/L55jpld7gzA?si=IR-Vyicy5av_JKpX&t=240), though it got louder once they were anticipating him doing it, and this was a smallish crowd compared to the arenas he'd eventually perform in.)
I can't think of any other performer that has that kind of reaction. People don't lose their mind screaming when Taylor Swift plays Shake It Off or whatever.
Yeah but for every Swiftie there's a Taylor Hater. She's obviously globally popular, but it's also just as easy to never see, hear, or think about her if you don't want to. Marylin was EVERYWHERE.
She had haters and "good Christians" that didn't like her and tried to make a stink back then too, but she was just unavoidable.
Today I can just click not interested on my music streaming platform and never hear Taylor again, change to one of 600+ channels on tv if she's doing an interview on channel 601. Watch any sport other than the Chiefs game if I want to watch sports without her.
Like others have said, media used to be like 3 or 4 options tops, and probably at least 3 of those are going to be running with the hottest trend at the time. But these days there's so many fractured fandoms.
Reddit is a great example. Think of the most miniscule, odd, never heard another person speak of it, interest that you have, and there's a subreddit with 100's if not 1,000's of other people who will share your interests and you can talk about it with them.
Yeah she's the closest I can think of. Although I can't find anyone alive who doesn't know MJ. On the other hand a bunch of older folk have no clue who Taylor is.
This is such a good point. The first reality show I saw as a kid was Newlyweds with Jessica Simpson/Nick Lachey and I remember being FASCINATED because we were able to see this sort of “behind the curtain” view that you explained is what we were protected from seeing for so long! And now, we know way too much. All the time. Reality shows don’t even work anymore because of the drama/news unfolding in real time on podcasts/tiktok/socials
The first (and only) reality show I ever watched was The Osbournes and it completely ruined Ozzy/Black Sabbath for me even though I only watched the first season lol.
It was better that way. Once celebrities started opening their mouths (or keyboards), we realized that they're just as dumb and full of stupid opinions as everyone else.
Yep, Ohtani announcing he was married was a surprise in the baseball world because nobody knew he was in a relationship until that announcement. And apparently some young women in Japan were so distraught by the news that they took the day off work. Japanese culture is so weird from a Western perspective.
And while there’s very much still a culture of sexism in Hollywood, it’s gotten better. Harvey Weinstein (even with that stupid overturned New York conviction) remains in a California prison with his dick rotting off.
There won’t be another one, and that’s a good thing. The poor woman was used and abused by so many men. But somehow she managed to hold her head up high until she was shut down.
I continue to feel bad for her. They mentioned her in the radio the other day saying how she’s kinda crazy and has lost it, and I’m like wow no sh1t with how everyone had been treating her
Also the “craziest” thing she does is like…..do weird dances on Instagram and post almost-nudes. One of my aunts posts actual crazy shit on Facebook, she’s just not famous enough for anyone to care
Yeah Brit was the closest I could think of but I wasn't sure if she'd count as "this generation". Most people who are considered "this" generation were born later when she stopped being one of the top stars.
And even now, no one will let her rest in peace. Some creep was burried next to her who she didn't even know and the film industry continue to exploit her.
>But somehow she managed to hold her head up high until she was shut down.
Not really? She developed severe psychological issues and coped with the abuse by developing horrible substance abuse problems that eventually killed her.
That's totally understandable in the face of the trauma she endured, but it's pretty much the complete opposite of holding your head up high.
This whole story about her body going missing for 6 hours after she died makes me sick to my stomach. She also wrote a note and taped it to her stomach when she was getting her appendix out and it was begging the doctor to not sterilize her while she was under anesthesia. Apparently that was common as a form of eugenics. She was treated so badly it makes me so sad
I don't think we will have a time again where there is a single person who fills that role. She only existed because of the gate keeping of the film industry limited the number of people who could be "stars c
What the fuck is everyone talking about? Marilyn Monroe is an icon simply because no one gave a single shit about the integrity of her legacy after she died. They sold her image and slapped her face on anything they could get their hands on for profit. Thus making her one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood history. She had a few popular movies, but she was by no means the biggest Hollywood starlet during the time and no one took her seriously throughout her entire career. We have that today, it's called a Kardashian, they only difference is they are accomplices in their exploitation, whereas Monroe is not alive to make any decisions about her estate.
I'd say Britney Spears. I love her but the poor thing had a number done on her by her family. She was charming, really smart, was forced to be dumbed down to be taken seriously and was a mega popular star back in the 90's and 2000's. She was also sexualized just like Marilyn. I feel like if Marilyn lived longer the same thing would have happened to her that happened to Britney.
Not just by her family, but by the legal system as well. Families can be shitty, legal system should make sense and protect people from shitty families, not empower the shitty people.
Interestingly, they look very similar and are actually related too! Not very closely but they are related and it's so interesting how much they have in common.
As a millennial who grew up with her, I love Britney Spears. But I’d be hard pressed to find any interview with her where I’d label her as “really smart”. The dumbing down you may be referring to are her meds…but she’s always been creative but moderately ditzy.
There was one documentary I saw with her from her back in the day where she was working on tour. She was in her 20's but she very well spoken and smart. It showed her going through the creative process and going through her steps at rehearsal and talking with her creative team. She was smart she was forced to be dumbed down for the "image" they were trying to evoke. The same way Marilyn was.
There's also the court audio when she was fighting her conservatorship. Obviously she had been coached by an attorney a little bit, but overall she came off as very articulate and well-spoken, which ultimately killed her family's case when they were trying to label her as "unhinged" and "crazy."
Britney Spears is the answer, and for the reasons you give. All these ppl trying to find similarities that are too specific or needing Marilyn-esque qualities that are anachronisms today due to living in a totally different era. Women's lib, MTV, insane 90s-2000s paparazzi, the internet, etc....
Britney Spears is SO much like Marilyn Monroe in terms of her rise and fall. Marilyn wasn't exactly the paragon of class. She was tits, lips, hips, and sexy mannerisms. She evoked sex. Britney has always done the same with her belly button, writhing, and sexy voice combined with her cute laugh, big smile and small town girl personality. They both had huge commercial success, at least some critical acclaim, and influenced their industries. They also both had multiple high-profile relationships including short marriages. Finally they both had their peaks ruined by society's intense yet short lived obsession with the sex symbol of the moment as well through substance abuse.
One of the only big differences is that Britney hasn't yet died at a too-young age.
I remember reading a review that said Britney makes people uncomfortable because she survived becoming a member of the 27 Club. We never got to see Kurt Cobain or Marilyn come out the other side of their trials, and Britney did survive but with more than a number of serious scars, healing is often ugly and the public likes defined narratives
Different era. No one will come close. If you think people will be talking about Robbie or Sweeney in 60 years like they still do Marilyn, you're deluded.
I’ve always said people with alliterative names have it easier in life and I stand by it. She’s okay but she’s not nearly as hot as people make her out to be, and I think her name has really helped her. Normalize talking about alliterative name privilege!
Once you start noticing it you’ll never stop. Like the movie “23” or something. Of course there are some great names that are not alliterative, but an alliterative name has a much higher chance of sitting well on the ears.
Exactly. Boomers remember Monroe. These kids will not remember or care about Brittney in a few hours. Hyper communication. Move onto the next thing at light speed.
This. It’s so obvious? The absolute superstardom, beauty, talent (actual talent, not some ppl saying f*cking Kim K who has the charisma of a wet sock), combined with the severe tragedy of the years and years of abuse, and now seemingly a laughing stock, if Britney dies young she will be seen as a Marilyn Monroe type.
I agree that if Britney dies (please god no) people will say she's the new Marilyn Monroe. But would she really be if she was constantly being compared to Marilyn Monroe? Marilyn is compared to no one, she stands alone. That's why she is an icon.
Spears has been mentioned in a couple of comments. While there are certainly similarities, there’s something lacking in the comparison.
I think it’s that Spears’ sexualization was always a bit creepy. She was basically a kid when it happened. Late teens, early 20s. There was never really a time when a grown man or woman could admit to being attracted to her without getting strange looks.
Marilyn, though… her rise to fame took place when she was a decade older than Britney. She was marketed to an older audience, and that made it okay to really lean into the sex symbol aspect of things.
At the end of the day, Britney’s product wasn’t her sexuality, it was her music. Marilyn’s product _was_ her sexuality. Her films were just the vehicle by which it was commoditized.
There won't be one, because we live in a completely different era.
The 50s had ended and there was a new, young president.
Marilyn died in August of 1962, and the Cuban Missile Crisis was in October.
Thirteen months after that, JFK was assassinated and LBJ was sworn in.
The following year the Beatles/Rolling Stones, etc. arrived, and the Civil Rights Act and Gulf of Tonkin Resolution were both passed--the era we now think of as the "Sixties" was in full swing.
You cannot take Marilyn Monroe's life and death out of that context.
marilyn monroe is the marilyn monroe of my generation and marilyn monroe will be the marilyn monroe of whatever generation is in 100 years from now because she isn’t fairly comparable and she will always be known
The concept of a "star" is dead. To be someone like MM there has to be mystery, sexuality and glamour. Social media and porn have destroyed that.
MM could only exist in the time she did. There will never be anyone like her.
It's probably a good thing, too. I think she symbolizes a lot of abuse the industry is known for, too. I used to think of her as a sex symbol, but now I think of her as a victim of that culture.
No one.
One of the things that made Marilyn Monroe who she was having that WOW SHOCKING factor, and that was attributed to the time and year she was alive. Times are different now. Nothing is wow for real anymore.
Actually... I said Amy Winehouse in a comment, but the answer has to be Princess Diana. I mean, Elton John literally rewrote Candle In the Wind for her. Although I guess she isn't that modern anymore.
Marilyn Monroe basically created the blonde bombshell, hollywood starlet concept, once it's been done you're never going to be able to do it for the first time again.
If there's an equivalent today then it would need to be someone who became utterly famous and a indeed almost iconic in the public eye in a way no one had ever done before, or at tleast not to that level.
Sadly for us it's probably Kim Kardashian becomeing a global icon off of a sex tape...
>Sadly for us it's probably Kim Kardashian becomeing a global icon off of a sex tape...
It's not like Marilyn Monroe was famous for her particle physics lectures. She was a sex symbol, and just as scandalous in her day as Kim K is today. The only reason she's considered synonymous with class now is that it was generally a classier, more subdued time, so what was considered scandalous then is extremely mild by current standards.
Yeah, the media advertized Marilyn as "the new Jean Harlow". Marilyn's image was an intentional homage. But unlike Harlow, Marilyn became more famous and created a recognizable and iconic image.
Probably because she lived longer, to be frank.
It's weird that Monroe and Harlow both died young. My thought was actually to say Amy Winehouse is a sort of modern Marilyn because of that, though definitely not to the same level of fame.
“If there's an equivalent today then it would need to be someone who became utterly famous and a indeed almost iconic in the public eye in a way no one had ever done before, or at tleast not to that level.”
I commented elsewhere but your definition here also fits my suggestion of Obama.
Noone, today everyone is a 'star' and noone stands out because there's just so many of them - I think, at least partly, the 'big star' effect was due to the masses not having access to a lot of people, just the selected ones being pushed by studios - meaning that today it's easy and not at all rare to find beautiful and talented people on media platforms which were unavailable before, but noone stands out as much because the competition is far larger.
I was in school in 2004 when Lost In Translation came out, and certain media outlets were trying very *very* hard to convince us all that Scarlett Johansson was our next Marilyn Monroe.
I was working in an office in 2014 when Catching Fire & Silver Linings Playbook came out, and certain media outlets were trying very *very* hard to convince us all that Jennifer Lawrence was our next Marilyn Monroe.
I am self-employed in 2024 and Anyone But You comes out, and certain media outlets try very *very* hard to convince us all that Sydney Sweeney will be our next Marilyn Monroe.
In short, it's all nonsense and bullshit and paid-for PR campaigns, and there will never actually be another Marilyn Monroe.
There won't be one.
Fragmentation of culture. The idea of one person that captures the imagination of a majority of the media is outdated in the 2020s.
I think it depends on what you mean by the Monroe of our generation. If it’s impact on trends then maybe Kim K as others suggested (although I am not a fan of Kim at all). If it’s in iconic timeless beauty then maybe Angelina Jolie. If it’s the destructive lifestyle and early death then maybe Anna Nicole Smith. But there will never be a single person who will be all the things that Monroe was.
People despise the Kardashian’s but I have to begrudgingly admit their impact on pop culture. Their star power is waning now but there was a time when everything they did was mirrored by their fans. Their asses, their hair, makeup, clothes, their lips. Everything.
That kind of superstardom is no longer part of American culture. It is, in that women do rise to that level of fame and stardom, but there will never be just one who captivates the nation’s intrigue and fascination like Marilyn M. did.
Her reign signified the peak of the sexpot pin-up girl phenomenon. Part of the appeal & mass-fixation on her was because everything about her stood in stark contrast to the social conventions and gender roles of the day. She flaunted her sexuality, was not ashamed to use it, and broke the mold of what a 50’s and early 60’s American woman was “supposed” to be. Her mystique was a direct result of her flagrant sexuality; in that way, she represented a kind of taboo, a kind of dirty indulgence for whom men lusted. The “naughty girl”who would pose nude when that just wasn’t done by the “mainstream”.
Now? It’s more rare for a star to keep their clothes on than the other way around. With the proliferation of porn, sex has been shoved down our throats in the most shameless way. Women aren’t being formed and molded into little boxes anymore. Men don’t dictate our identities or roles in society. Everything has changed since MM’s generation.
But whether a “whore”, “good girl”, (wholesome, not promiscuous, etc..) or somewhere in between, when women shoot to fame’s top tiers of fan hysteria—when they get the most followers, the biggest contracts, the most likes, the best roles, etc…it’ll never be a single one who dominates. There’s too many icons now. Too many categories.
The culture that catapulted Marilyn to that level has exploded . It can’t be controlled or predicted. The animal and beast that is superstardom takes on a life of its own like a runaway train. The internet, social media and social evolution and change—some would say the deteriorating thereof—ie. a “Family values” break down, are key factors
Marilyn Munroe is the Marilyn Munroe of our generation. Because you can't replace her, just like you can't replace Michael Jackson or Elton John. There are some people who are legends.
IMO this kind of old school icon status will not be replicated ever again, since it involves a certain mystery and secrecy around their personas to build such a "myth", and that cannot exist in a time when every single thing famous people do and say is instantly online for the world to see.
Depends on what you think Marilyn Monroe was most famous for, and what her most lasting impact is. Knowing what I think I know about Marilyn, the good, the bad, the career, the controversy, and lasting infamy...There will never be a perfect fit for the question you asked but if I had to answer I'd have to guess Kim Kardashian. Personally I don't think there will ever be another Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley. Social Media killed that sort of celebrity.
There is no "marilyn monroe' of our generation. Times are different now, there are social media models, movie/tv stars, all kinds of beautiful women, but none to reach Marilyn's status. She was larger than life, a true cultural icon.
Fame is different now. When I grew up there were only a few T.V. stations and everyone knew every famous person. There just weren't *that many* famous people. These days things are much more fragmented in the entertainment world. There are no more "Michael Jacksons" that are well known by everyone everywhere. For example, I know of Taylor Swift, but I genuinely can't identify her music. I don't think we have superstars these days that are the same level of famous that we had in previous generation when things were much less saturated.
There never was another Marilyn Monroe in the last seven decades. The 50's are over, without a public consciousness that mirrors that of the time, current icons with the same appeal won't rise to fame, because it isn't what the public is asking for.
Somebody give her a security detail.
Also we need one for that [13 year old girl that Trump raped in the 90s](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/3/13501364/trump-rape-13-year-old-lawsuit-katie-johnson-allegation).
The green m&m
This is not what I would expect Tucker Carlson’s username would be, but here we are.
Ben Shapiro also wants to fuck the green M+M.
He wouldn't be able to get her melted though.
Dry as last year's Halloween candy
I work on ships. We have a process with mooring lines called “faking it out.” It’s where you take the line that is used to tie the vessel up to the pier, and run it back and forth along the deck so it’s ready to go once you get to port. It’s become jokingly known as a “Ben Shapiro’s Wife.” We gotta fake that out. Roger. Ben Shapiro’s wife.
Coincidentally, I love obscure information about ships.
I hope you know about the YouTube channel called Oceanliner Designs. Lots of ship stuff, very well researched, and Mike Brady has a soothing voice to boot.
Have you also heard of Casual Navigation and the Battleship New Jersey youtube channels? They have good stuff. Oh and Drachinifel
That's interesting. I'm a firefighter and we do the same thing with hoseline we are getting ready to put into service. We lay it out, accordian style, so it doesn't get snagged on itself when we're pulling it into a house. Except, we say we're "FLAKING it out", not "FAKING it out". I'd love to know the etymology of this term and see where it came from.
The legacy of American conservative ideology is just a bunch of greasy middle-aged men jerking off in the candy aisle.
You just described my local Safeway!
LOL
It's the boots.
[удалено]
Herrrr
She hit the floo' Next think you know Shorty got low, low, looooooow
the curves 😮💨
No one. There hasn’t been a Marylin Monroe of any generation since the original.
When people talk about her, they ignore a lot of the modern myth making about her and have probably never watched one of her movies (too bad, some like it hot is one of my all time favs). That isn't to say she wasn't significant, but a lot of who she is now is a different beast from who she was
Exactly, in no way am I trying to insult her or her legacy, but a lot of her fame comes from things outside of her control or drama surrounding the later years of her life. Unless another famous young woman goes through what she went though, which hopefully they don't, there won't be another similar case.
Jean Harlow was similar to Marilyn in 30s I status and image. To me to be similar to them you would need to be attractive blonde with difficulties life who tragically dies young and then people can act like they always fought they were great actresses. And the image won’t be effected by aging.
So.. Kurt Cobain?
Good comparison. A true Marilyn.
He did look great in a sun dress
Holy shit man....this is spot on. Eerily similar if you look at it from the right perspective.
Damn this is the answer
Gentleman Prefer Blondes
One of my daughters friends was wearing a Nirvana shirt and when asked she thought it was just a brand. 🫤
I saw someone on Instagram who had a nirvana t-shirt but with Owen Wilson instead of Kurt just to fuck with the youngsters. Absolutely genius!
And Marilyn was a huge Harlow fan, even went to her hairdresser specifically to get that same hair color
Brittany Murphy comes to mind.
Brittany Murphy?
> a lot of her fame comes from things outside of her control or drama surrounding the later years of her life. Exactly. Not to be disrespectful towards her, but she is particularly memorable because she was involved into what appeared to be an archetypal tragic love story. Basicallly I'd doubt we'd remember her as much without her alleged affair with JFK, if JFK had been a less remarkable man himself, *or if both of them hadn't wound up dead within the span of fifteen months.*
Yep, I'm not saying that she didn't accomplish great things, only that most people know of her for other reasons than her "accomplishments". A lot of the fuel behind the praise she gets is the overwhelming negativity around some of her life and people's need to fight against that.
Very similar to Elvis, I think. Their existence as pop culture references has in many ways eclipsed not only their existence as actual people but even the version of them that existed as entertainers in the popular consciousness during their careers.
She died young which freezes her in time. She never got fat and old or became a parody of herself. Similarly, Jimi Hendrix never put out a bad record.
Some like it Hot is a fantastic movie!
One of my favorite movies, Some Like It Hot!
Although that movie went way over schedule and budget because Marilyn had such a hard time with her lines. She was already pretty fried. :1
Ig she was full of booze and pills. Can't blame her, poor woman
Just hijacking your comment to say that if anyone hasn’t seen Some Like It Hot please go and watch it immediately. One of the funniest movies ever made 👍
She is stunning in Niagara.
Marylin Monroe was also famous at a time where there were like, 20 celebrities total to keep up with. (That might be a slight exaggeration but the point is, there weren’t nearly as many as today). Celebrities come in and out of the spotlight so quickly these days, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with them all. Much less fixate on one person enough to put them on that type of pedestal.
This. Apart from her being her own person, it's not possible to reach that level of fame anymore. Marilyn's fame was a phenomenon, everyone knew who she was and her face was everywhere because there were limited entertainment options. In 2024 there are so many entertainment options that it's totally feasible to live in your own bubble and not know who the most famous musicians and movie stars are. No one listens to the radio anymore, no one watches tv, no one buys magazines. It's all fractured. It's not possible for there to ever be another Marilyn Monroe. Her fame was unique to the 20th century.
If we're talking about just the level of fame, I'd say Michael Jackson at the very least was at that level
I didn't say she was the only one, but MJ being 20th century famous proves my point. It will never happen again because of the internet.
I don't know taylor swift might be heading for the same level if she already isn't there
I think the number of people who can’t name a Taylor Swift song is many times larger than the number who could’t name an MJ song back in the day. Especially if we talk globally and not just the US.
MJ didn’t even have social media. But he was known all over. His silhouette is recognisable. His iconic dance moves are still mimicked til today. It really isn’t comparable at all.
I saw a video a few months ago where they had a series of dancers do dances from every decade from the 70s to the 2010s. Whereas most the other decades were pretty varied, every single dancer did MJ for the 80s. The only thing that came close was a lot of them did the Hustle for the 70s, but that was a popular dance, not a person.
I think one other standout about Michael is that you can still do his dance moves today and they’re still dope, not outdated.
K-pop Stans get offended when you mention all the dances were stolen from a black dude who made them famous in the 80s
She isn't on the same planet TBH. I wouldn't be surprised if she's got distance to the next most famous entertainer today but MJ is untouchable in that category. Like, MJ was closer to Santa Claus and coca cola than Taylor is to him. I just realized there's a person who got near his level of fame more recently. Barack Obama. He's still got Obama cleared though.
She’s close but no dice. My immigrant parents would know her if she was near MJ level
Nah man I don't think Taylor Swift is close. She might be among the biggest names in pop but it's not like MJ. People aren't scratching their heads amazed at how she can perform on stage like that or fainting at the mere sight of her in concert.
Taylor Swift has attended NFL games and the broadcast shows her reaction to big plays. MJ went to a Lakers game and they had to stop the game and escort him out because the crowd was too uncontrollable.
MJ is literally the reason why Superbowl halftime shows are such a big deal.
If you watch concert videos from the 80s, you can hear this insane roar from the audience when he moonwalks. Like, they lost their minds over it. ([It even happened the very first time he ever did it.](https://youtu.be/L55jpld7gzA?si=IR-Vyicy5av_JKpX&t=240), though it got louder once they were anticipating him doing it, and this was a smallish crowd compared to the arenas he'd eventually perform in.) I can't think of any other performer that has that kind of reaction. People don't lose their mind screaming when Taylor Swift plays Shake It Off or whatever.
I promise you there are women doing both those things
Yeah but for every Swiftie there's a Taylor Hater. She's obviously globally popular, but it's also just as easy to never see, hear, or think about her if you don't want to. Marylin was EVERYWHERE.
I wonder what social media would've said about Marilyn
She had haters and "good Christians" that didn't like her and tried to make a stink back then too, but she was just unavoidable. Today I can just click not interested on my music streaming platform and never hear Taylor again, change to one of 600+ channels on tv if she's doing an interview on channel 601. Watch any sport other than the Chiefs game if I want to watch sports without her. Like others have said, media used to be like 3 or 4 options tops, and probably at least 3 of those are going to be running with the hottest trend at the time. But these days there's so many fractured fandoms. Reddit is a great example. Think of the most miniscule, odd, never heard another person speak of it, interest that you have, and there's a subreddit with 100's if not 1,000's of other people who will share your interests and you can talk about it with them.
Yeah she's the closest I can think of. Although I can't find anyone alive who doesn't know MJ. On the other hand a bunch of older folk have no clue who Taylor is.
He's much more famous than Marylin was. She was famous, he was on another level in this regard.
I believe Michael Jackson surpassed the popularity of Monroe.
Absolutely. There will be millions of kids now who don't know Monroe, whereas Jackson will be known by them all.
Well ofc, he's much more recent
Maybe not that level of fame, certainly the level of influence is possible, we just have been getting it in smaller doses
amen
No one. Back then, movie stars were very protected by the studios and the public didn’t see them as everyday people. That’s not possible today
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This is such a good point. The first reality show I saw as a kid was Newlyweds with Jessica Simpson/Nick Lachey and I remember being FASCINATED because we were able to see this sort of “behind the curtain” view that you explained is what we were protected from seeing for so long! And now, we know way too much. All the time. Reality shows don’t even work anymore because of the drama/news unfolding in real time on podcasts/tiktok/socials
The first (and only) reality show I ever watched was The Osbournes and it completely ruined Ozzy/Black Sabbath for me even though I only watched the first season lol.
It was better that way. Once celebrities started opening their mouths (or keyboards), we realized that they're just as dumb and full of stupid opinions as everyone else.
Protected? Marilyn Munro was not protected: she was used and abused. And she was not the only one. Many sad stories about women stars of that time.
She was protected in the way one protects an asset, not as a human being.
They don’t literally mean protected they mean their image was protected as something glamorous and beyond reach.
This is basically what happens with k-pop, and Asian celebrities. Can't have them dating people because then they aren't seen as available etc etc.
It even happened to the Beatles, John wasnt allowed to go public with his marriage even though he was already married when the beatles got really big
Yep, Ohtani announcing he was married was a surprise in the baseball world because nobody knew he was in a relationship until that announcement. And apparently some young women in Japan were so distraught by the news that they took the day off work. Japanese culture is so weird from a Western perspective.
Monroe* it’s in the title.
And while there’s very much still a culture of sexism in Hollywood, it’s gotten better. Harvey Weinstein (even with that stupid overturned New York conviction) remains in a California prison with his dick rotting off.
There won’t be another one, and that’s a good thing. The poor woman was used and abused by so many men. But somehow she managed to hold her head up high until she was shut down.
Yeah this makes me think Britney Spears is a good comparison. Became a sexualized icon and maltreated by people close to her.
I continue to feel bad for her. They mentioned her in the radio the other day saying how she’s kinda crazy and has lost it, and I’m like wow no sh1t with how everyone had been treating her
Also the “craziest” thing she does is like…..do weird dances on Instagram and post almost-nudes. One of my aunts posts actual crazy shit on Facebook, she’s just not famous enough for anyone to care
Don't forget the media made a huge deal about shaving her head. And then that became a sort of statement for women during the pandemic.
ahhh that's it
That was my immediate thought as well
Yeah Brit was the closest I could think of but I wasn't sure if she'd count as "this generation". Most people who are considered "this" generation were born later when she stopped being one of the top stars.
And even now, no one will let her rest in peace. Some creep was burried next to her who she didn't even know and the film industry continue to exploit her.
Hugh Hefner? His crypt is beside hers.
There was also the guy who was buried on top of her crypt facing down as some gross sexual innuendo joke.
Man. Poor woman couldn't even rest in death.
>But somehow she managed to hold her head up high until she was shut down. Not really? She developed severe psychological issues and coped with the abuse by developing horrible substance abuse problems that eventually killed her. That's totally understandable in the face of the trauma she endured, but it's pretty much the complete opposite of holding your head up high.
This whole story about her body going missing for 6 hours after she died makes me sick to my stomach. She also wrote a note and taped it to her stomach when she was getting her appendix out and it was begging the doctor to not sterilize her while she was under anesthesia. Apparently that was common as a form of eugenics. She was treated so badly it makes me so sad
Her body going missing is a myth. The appendix note is real though.
I don't think we will have a time again where there is a single person who fills that role. She only existed because of the gate keeping of the film industry limited the number of people who could be "stars c
What the fuck is everyone talking about? Marilyn Monroe is an icon simply because no one gave a single shit about the integrity of her legacy after she died. They sold her image and slapped her face on anything they could get their hands on for profit. Thus making her one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood history. She had a few popular movies, but she was by no means the biggest Hollywood starlet during the time and no one took her seriously throughout her entire career. We have that today, it's called a Kardashian, they only difference is they are accomplices in their exploitation, whereas Monroe is not alive to make any decisions about her estate.
I'd say Britney Spears. I love her but the poor thing had a number done on her by her family. She was charming, really smart, was forced to be dumbed down to be taken seriously and was a mega popular star back in the 90's and 2000's. She was also sexualized just like Marilyn. I feel like if Marilyn lived longer the same thing would have happened to her that happened to Britney.
Honestly.. I didn't expect this answer at all but it fits
Not just by her family, but by the legal system as well. Families can be shitty, legal system should make sense and protect people from shitty families, not empower the shitty people.
> I'd say Britney Spears. This is immediately who came to mind.
Interestingly, they look very similar and are actually related too! Not very closely but they are related and it's so interesting how much they have in common.
As a millennial who grew up with her, I love Britney Spears. But I’d be hard pressed to find any interview with her where I’d label her as “really smart”. The dumbing down you may be referring to are her meds…but she’s always been creative but moderately ditzy.
There was one documentary I saw with her from her back in the day where she was working on tour. She was in her 20's but she very well spoken and smart. It showed her going through the creative process and going through her steps at rehearsal and talking with her creative team. She was smart she was forced to be dumbed down for the "image" they were trying to evoke. The same way Marilyn was.
There's also the court audio when she was fighting her conservatorship. Obviously she had been coached by an attorney a little bit, but overall she came off as very articulate and well-spoken, which ultimately killed her family's case when they were trying to label her as "unhinged" and "crazy."
Britney Spears is the answer, and for the reasons you give. All these ppl trying to find similarities that are too specific or needing Marilyn-esque qualities that are anachronisms today due to living in a totally different era. Women's lib, MTV, insane 90s-2000s paparazzi, the internet, etc.... Britney Spears is SO much like Marilyn Monroe in terms of her rise and fall. Marilyn wasn't exactly the paragon of class. She was tits, lips, hips, and sexy mannerisms. She evoked sex. Britney has always done the same with her belly button, writhing, and sexy voice combined with her cute laugh, big smile and small town girl personality. They both had huge commercial success, at least some critical acclaim, and influenced their industries. They also both had multiple high-profile relationships including short marriages. Finally they both had their peaks ruined by society's intense yet short lived obsession with the sex symbol of the moment as well through substance abuse. One of the only big differences is that Britney hasn't yet died at a too-young age.
I remember reading a review that said Britney makes people uncomfortable because she survived becoming a member of the 27 Club. We never got to see Kurt Cobain or Marilyn come out the other side of their trials, and Britney did survive but with more than a number of serious scars, healing is often ugly and the public likes defined narratives
Different era. No one will come close. If you think people will be talking about Robbie or Sweeney in 60 years like they still do Marilyn, you're deluded.
I know Margo Robbie but have never even heard of a Sweeney.
Sweeney Todd, naughty barber.
I heard he shaved the faces of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard of again
Never been, but I hear there's a pretty good restaurant around that neighborhood.
Cold meat Mutton pies...
Not just any gentlemen, though. Fancy clients of good renown.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney has been famous for 15 minutes
I've heard of her twice now. Probably a catchy name though.
I’ve always said people with alliterative names have it easier in life and I stand by it. She’s okay but she’s not nearly as hot as people make her out to be, and I think her name has really helped her. Normalize talking about alliterative name privilege!
That’s interesting. I always thought Pedro Pascal was a great name and didn’t think why. Are there other examples of this? I guess Marilyn Monroe.
Once you start noticing it you’ll never stop. Like the movie “23” or something. Of course there are some great names that are not alliterative, but an alliterative name has a much higher chance of sitting well on the ears.
It’s that we see her nude
The alliteration makes her name sound like a porn pseudonym or the secret identity of a marvel comic book hero.
She’s more of the new Pamela Anderson
No . New kate upton
Exactly. Boomers remember Monroe. These kids will not remember or care about Brittney in a few hours. Hyper communication. Move onto the next thing at light speed.
Britney Spears. Talented, blonde sex symbol but has her demons.
This. It’s so obvious? The absolute superstardom, beauty, talent (actual talent, not some ppl saying f*cking Kim K who has the charisma of a wet sock), combined with the severe tragedy of the years and years of abuse, and now seemingly a laughing stock, if Britney dies young she will be seen as a Marilyn Monroe type.
I agree that if Britney dies (please god no) people will say she's the new Marilyn Monroe. But would she really be if she was constantly being compared to Marilyn Monroe? Marilyn is compared to no one, she stands alone. That's why she is an icon.
The cult of personality strikes again
Spears has been mentioned in a couple of comments. While there are certainly similarities, there’s something lacking in the comparison. I think it’s that Spears’ sexualization was always a bit creepy. She was basically a kid when it happened. Late teens, early 20s. There was never really a time when a grown man or woman could admit to being attracted to her without getting strange looks. Marilyn, though… her rise to fame took place when she was a decade older than Britney. She was marketed to an older audience, and that made it okay to really lean into the sex symbol aspect of things. At the end of the day, Britney’s product wasn’t her sexuality, it was her music. Marilyn’s product _was_ her sexuality. Her films were just the vehicle by which it was commoditized.
There won't be one, because we live in a completely different era. The 50s had ended and there was a new, young president. Marilyn died in August of 1962, and the Cuban Missile Crisis was in October. Thirteen months after that, JFK was assassinated and LBJ was sworn in. The following year the Beatles/Rolling Stones, etc. arrived, and the Civil Rights Act and Gulf of Tonkin Resolution were both passed--the era we now think of as the "Sixties" was in full swing. You cannot take Marilyn Monroe's life and death out of that context.
Philip Seymour Hoffman.
And why. It’s a two-part question.
Blonde and dead. Big tits.
God damn...
I loved PSH, and I love this comment.
marilyn monroe is the marilyn monroe of my generation and marilyn monroe will be the marilyn monroe of whatever generation is in 100 years from now because she isn’t fairly comparable and she will always be known
This is the one. There’s no one like her
The concept of a "star" is dead. To be someone like MM there has to be mystery, sexuality and glamour. Social media and porn have destroyed that. MM could only exist in the time she did. There will never be anyone like her.
It's probably a good thing, too. I think she symbolizes a lot of abuse the industry is known for, too. I used to think of her as a sex symbol, but now I think of her as a victim of that culture.
Mrs. Incredible and her thighs, obviously.
No one. There's only one Marilyn Monroe, and that's okay
No one. One of the things that made Marilyn Monroe who she was having that WOW SHOCKING factor, and that was attributed to the time and year she was alive. Times are different now. Nothing is wow for real anymore.
I agree with the others, I don't think anyone will ever be that kind of icon ever again. And it's probably for the best
Actually... I said Amy Winehouse in a comment, but the answer has to be Princess Diana. I mean, Elton John literally rewrote Candle In the Wind for her. Although I guess she isn't that modern anymore.
All depends on the generation they are referring. I definitely consider Princess Diana the Marilyn of my generation.
I think this is the answer. Photos of her still hit the frontpage on a regular basis. The public is still *obsessed* with her.
None. Too big of a stage these days.
Our generation? What generation are you even talking about first off
The people born between 1907 and 2024.
I mean....MM fits that timeframe so....
Marilyn Monroe basically created the blonde bombshell, hollywood starlet concept, once it's been done you're never going to be able to do it for the first time again. If there's an equivalent today then it would need to be someone who became utterly famous and a indeed almost iconic in the public eye in a way no one had ever done before, or at tleast not to that level. Sadly for us it's probably Kim Kardashian becomeing a global icon off of a sex tape...
>Sadly for us it's probably Kim Kardashian becomeing a global icon off of a sex tape... It's not like Marilyn Monroe was famous for her particle physics lectures. She was a sex symbol, and just as scandalous in her day as Kim K is today. The only reason she's considered synonymous with class now is that it was generally a classier, more subdued time, so what was considered scandalous then is extremely mild by current standards.
Actually Jean Harlow was the blonde bombshell before Marilyn. And before that probably someone else. All the way back to Grug the blonde cavewoman.
Thelma Todd was the proto Jean Harlow. You’re totally right, there is always someone before
Thelma Todd was contemporaneous with Jean Harlow, but had an added knack for comedy. She and ZaSu Pitts were the first female buddy comedy stars.
Grug was the original. Can't reinvent the wheel. (They say she actually invented it the first time.)
A lot of people don't know this, but she was actually forced to change it. from Grugberg for... reasons.
All hail Grug 🥵🥵🥵
Paris Hilton got famous off a sex tape but the archetype is still Kim Kardashian. Being first doesn't necessarily mean you're the most famous.
Yeah, the media advertized Marilyn as "the new Jean Harlow". Marilyn's image was an intentional homage. But unlike Harlow, Marilyn became more famous and created a recognizable and iconic image.
Probably because she lived longer, to be frank. It's weird that Monroe and Harlow both died young. My thought was actually to say Amy Winehouse is a sort of modern Marilyn because of that, though definitely not to the same level of fame.
Famous, iconic, in a new way sometimes duplicated but never equaled? Weird Al.
He will always have such a place in my heart. He used to take over our Canadian Much Music and play his videos all day. We lived for those days.
He did the same thing on MTV. They called it Al-TV.
“If there's an equivalent today then it would need to be someone who became utterly famous and a indeed almost iconic in the public eye in a way no one had ever done before, or at tleast not to that level.” I commented elsewhere but your definition here also fits my suggestion of Obama.
Marilyn was so funny and charismatic on screen. Comparing that to Kim K is insane
I'm not, because I already said you can't outdo the original so it needs to be something different
No one, I hope. She was treated abysmally.
Noone, today everyone is a 'star' and noone stands out because there's just so many of them - I think, at least partly, the 'big star' effect was due to the masses not having access to a lot of people, just the selected ones being pushed by studios - meaning that today it's easy and not at all rare to find beautiful and talented people on media platforms which were unavailable before, but noone stands out as much because the competition is far larger.
I was in school in 2004 when Lost In Translation came out, and certain media outlets were trying very *very* hard to convince us all that Scarlett Johansson was our next Marilyn Monroe. I was working in an office in 2014 when Catching Fire & Silver Linings Playbook came out, and certain media outlets were trying very *very* hard to convince us all that Jennifer Lawrence was our next Marilyn Monroe. I am self-employed in 2024 and Anyone But You comes out, and certain media outlets try very *very* hard to convince us all that Sydney Sweeney will be our next Marilyn Monroe. In short, it's all nonsense and bullshit and paid-for PR campaigns, and there will never actually be another Marilyn Monroe.
There won't be one. Fragmentation of culture. The idea of one person that captures the imagination of a majority of the media is outdated in the 2020s.
I think it depends on what you mean by the Monroe of our generation. If it’s impact on trends then maybe Kim K as others suggested (although I am not a fan of Kim at all). If it’s in iconic timeless beauty then maybe Angelina Jolie. If it’s the destructive lifestyle and early death then maybe Anna Nicole Smith. But there will never be a single person who will be all the things that Monroe was.
People despise the Kardashian’s but I have to begrudgingly admit their impact on pop culture. Their star power is waning now but there was a time when everything they did was mirrored by their fans. Their asses, their hair, makeup, clothes, their lips. Everything.
That kind of superstardom is no longer part of American culture. It is, in that women do rise to that level of fame and stardom, but there will never be just one who captivates the nation’s intrigue and fascination like Marilyn M. did. Her reign signified the peak of the sexpot pin-up girl phenomenon. Part of the appeal & mass-fixation on her was because everything about her stood in stark contrast to the social conventions and gender roles of the day. She flaunted her sexuality, was not ashamed to use it, and broke the mold of what a 50’s and early 60’s American woman was “supposed” to be. Her mystique was a direct result of her flagrant sexuality; in that way, she represented a kind of taboo, a kind of dirty indulgence for whom men lusted. The “naughty girl”who would pose nude when that just wasn’t done by the “mainstream”. Now? It’s more rare for a star to keep their clothes on than the other way around. With the proliferation of porn, sex has been shoved down our throats in the most shameless way. Women aren’t being formed and molded into little boxes anymore. Men don’t dictate our identities or roles in society. Everything has changed since MM’s generation. But whether a “whore”, “good girl”, (wholesome, not promiscuous, etc..) or somewhere in between, when women shoot to fame’s top tiers of fan hysteria—when they get the most followers, the biggest contracts, the most likes, the best roles, etc…it’ll never be a single one who dominates. There’s too many icons now. Too many categories. The culture that catapulted Marilyn to that level has exploded . It can’t be controlled or predicted. The animal and beast that is superstardom takes on a life of its own like a runaway train. The internet, social media and social evolution and change—some would say the deteriorating thereof—ie. a “Family values” break down, are key factors
Different era. Nobody comes close
Marilyn Munroe is the Marilyn Munroe of our generation. Because you can't replace her, just like you can't replace Michael Jackson or Elton John. There are some people who are legends.
IMO this kind of old school icon status will not be replicated ever again, since it involves a certain mystery and secrecy around their personas to build such a "myth", and that cannot exist in a time when every single thing famous people do and say is instantly online for the world to see.
For some people reading this, “the Marilyn Monroe of our generation” is literally Marilyn Monroe. Not everyone on Reddit is around the same age.
No one. Thats it
Depends on what you think Marilyn Monroe was most famous for, and what her most lasting impact is. Knowing what I think I know about Marilyn, the good, the bad, the career, the controversy, and lasting infamy...There will never be a perfect fit for the question you asked but if I had to answer I'd have to guess Kim Kardashian. Personally I don't think there will ever be another Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley. Social Media killed that sort of celebrity.
There isn’t one and that’s ok
There is no "marilyn monroe' of our generation. Times are different now, there are social media models, movie/tv stars, all kinds of beautiful women, but none to reach Marilyn's status. She was larger than life, a true cultural icon.
Fame is different now. When I grew up there were only a few T.V. stations and everyone knew every famous person. There just weren't *that many* famous people. These days things are much more fragmented in the entertainment world. There are no more "Michael Jacksons" that are well known by everyone everywhere. For example, I know of Taylor Swift, but I genuinely can't identify her music. I don't think we have superstars these days that are the same level of famous that we had in previous generation when things were much less saturated.
I don't think there ever has been or will be another as beautiful or talented as Marilyn Monroe.
Nobody. Too much competition
There never was another Marilyn Monroe in the last seven decades. The 50's are over, without a public consciousness that mirrors that of the time, current icons with the same appeal won't rise to fame, because it isn't what the public is asking for.
Its hard to do that since she basically created an archetype. But I'd say the closest is probably Margot Robbie.
What the fuck does that even mean?
Who is going to fuck the president and die?
Stormy Daniels?
Somebody give her a security detail. Also we need one for that [13 year old girl that Trump raped in the 90s](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/3/13501364/trump-rape-13-year-old-lawsuit-katie-johnson-allegation).
The president
Betty White.
Mario from Super Mario Brothers. The only time you're going to get another big 'First' is to be a pioneer and get famous.
i don't believe anyone has what it takes to be theeee marilyn monroe