Written by Tarini Dayal
"The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least I can dream.”- Marilyn Monroe
Ironic, isn’t it? To her inner demons she was known as Norma Jean Osborne. But to the world, she was known as Hollywood’s very own ‘blonde bombshell’, Marilyn Monroe. Starring in a number of blockbusters, such as ‘The Seven Year Itch’, ‘Niagara’ and ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’, also appearing on the cover of a variety of prominent magazines such as ‘Vogue’ and ‘Vanity Fair’, she had paved a path for what would be one of the most impactful legacies of all time, and it was undoubtedly known that she was the next leading lady of Hollywood. Yet news reports of 1962 said otherwise, for it was disclosed that the star had been found in her Los Angeles home in an incident of substance overdose, confirmed by toxicology reports. Yet the question remains unanswered in today’s world as well: Why would a rising star, greeted by fame in no more than her 20s, living an apparent life of unlimited luxuries and opportunities, want to put an end to all of it?
Then by the name ‘Norma Jean Osborne’, Monroe spent most of her childhood in orphanages and foster homes, dreaming of becoming an actress. One of her earliest performances in The Asphalt Jungle in 1950 gained the attention of renowned film critics and landed her first major breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed movie, All About Eve. The idea of fame played a cunning role in helping her gain worldwide attention as the ‘blond bombshell’, presenting to her offers from well-off production houses due to public demand for her to star in more roles. However, in 1962, she faced a disastrous downfall in her career, after being fired from Something’s Got to Give due to a serious illness, and was described as "rather untidy" and "lacking ... the old Monroe dynamism", causing directors to stop approaching her for movies.
In retrospect, Marilyn Monroe was exploited by the media and the film industry for her appearance as a way to gain publicity and profit. She continued to suffer in silence after being handed countless offers, or rather choices forced upon her that she was unable to reject due to the indirect threats she received on, in simple words, fighting for her rights, that would have caused the subsequent downfall of her career. She was forced to accept the fame she received with a smile on her face, unable to reveal the pressure it inflicted upon her of having to maintain her reputation to gain a position which she never would have gotten- of being known for her acting and not her beauty.
Although the official statements ruled out her death as substance overdose, it is quite clear that it was fame that gave birth to Marilyn Monroe, and it was none other than fame itself, that killed Marilyn Monroe.
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