Lindsay Lohan: You're no Marilyn Monroe

Why do starlets insist on channeling Marilyn Monroe? At some point, every actress decides to have her "Marilyn moment" and dons a platinum wig and a fake mole to prove that  she's capable of playing an American icon. This week, Lindsay Lohan graces New York magazine in a spread shot by Bert Stern. Yes, that would be the same Stern who shot Monroe six weeks before she died of a reported overdose in 1962.

In the story, Lohan says of Monroe and Heath Ledger's tragic outcome:  "I sure as hell wouldn't let it happen to me." Then, why are you bouncing in and out of rehab and re-creating a photo shoot that precisely mimics a suicidal woman's last flirtation with fame? And Stern should be ashamed of himself for aping such a memorable photo shoot for a 21-year-old actress whose most notable credit is "Herbie Fully Loaded." Monroe -- who starred in fantastic movies like "The Misfits" and "Some Like It Hot" -- died of acute barbiturate poisoning at age 36.

Lohan joins the ranks of Monroe-philes like Mischa Barton (right), Scarlett Johansson and Drew Barrymore (above, on George cover.) It may be flattering to the icon, but The Rage finds it rather sad that so many young actresses crib Monroe instead of inventing their own unique images.  If you're devoid of charisma and innate sexual appeal, maybe it's time to try beekeeping.

Photos credits: New York magazine; French Vogue; Bert Stern collection

Comments

[Size Queen]

Silicone and vapid post modern mediocrity. Stern sold out Marilyn's hourglass legacy for an tube torsoed airhead. Lohan has no aureoles either. Gag.

[Geminate]

Well this is quite pathetic. Those wigs are just so trashy. Even I might look better than Lindsay. Monroe did actually have beauty, but she was was weak and ended up just being a loser. If Lindsay wanted to be a star, she would stand on her own merits, if she has any. Why do women try to emulate past movie stars? You will never be like them, you can't be them, only they are themselves, and only you can be yourself. Only losers try to be something that they are not, and in the process forsake themselves.

[Suzanne]

Hollywood is full of nothing but pathetic copycats. Sequel this, Part Deux that, there's barely any creativity left in that fake town. Take away all the ridiculous money, and the safe bets will go away, possibly leaving the true artists a little space to grow.

[ROSS]

THESE YOUNG STARLETS WILL DO FOOLISH THINGS TO GET THEIR 15 MINUTES OF FAME. LINDSAY DOESN'T KNOW WHO SHE IS. NEITHER DO PARIS, OR THAT INSECURE TRAINWRECK BRITNEY.

THERE'S ONLY ONE MARILYN.

[Maxime]

The most hilarious part of this whole thing is people bashing Lohan saying it's disgraceful that she is posing as Marilyn Monroe.

But what people fail to see is that Marilyn Monroe was just the Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears of the '50s & '60s. lol

Lindsay Lohan = fake blonde attention whore that does drugs, sleep around and suck as an actress.

Marilyn Monroe = fake blonde attention whore that does drugs, sleep around and suck as an actress.

Yeah.... Monroe was so much better.

If she was around today, she would be in the tabloids everyday just like Lohan and the other Hollywood attention whores.

[Mad Dog]

Lindsay was cute in Mean Girls but thats about the most enthusiasm I can muster for her. (Sorry, I was unable to catch Herbie-Fully Loaded). Marilyn Monroe was, well, Marilyn Monroe. Ive seen Lindsay in Vegas and Britney in Malibu. They are both moderately hot but niether of them stops the clock as Marilyn did when she entered a room. The primary difference in my mind is that Marilyn did drugs and booze to escape her fame. Lindsay, Britney, Paris, et al, use to create it.

[estatikdotcom]

Please. The actresses don't hire a photographer to take Marilyn pictures and then shop them to the magazines.. if you need to criticize anyone, make it the magazine editor's cliched choices. It seems to me this article itself is just an excuse to use the pictures- and further dig up some old ones too!

[Ron]

To Mad Dog's final thoughts on the subject,
Touché & well done.

[BH]

Hey let poor Marilyn rest in peace will you!Lindsey Lohan has as much right to emulate Marilyn as any actress or drag queen.These young stars need to have their own persona, yes indeed.

[JonSE]

I have no problem looking at a naked Lindsay Lohan, because I enjoy looking at any reasonably attractive naked woman. That said, however, Lindsay Lohan is no Marilyn Monroe, not even close.

[awwww]

Awwww.... I feel bad for this girl. I think that it's sad that via her behaviour, she's aligned herself with the Hollywood 'celeb-deb' crowd. In my opinion she does have actual talent - and showcasing THAT is where she should be focusing her efforts. Considering that she has been in the media for everything BUT her talent lately, it was an ill conceived and ill advised choice for her to make at this juncture.

[LameWood]

Does anyone remember how lohan became a "celebrity"? Wow, for her to even try to come close to Monroe is a disgrace to true stars. Hollyfake is overpaid and overshot, I am done with these so called celebrities. Lohan is next to Holly from that MTV show. Don't you worry they have wasted our time long enough and soon will be forgotten.

[pumpertickle]

Lohan always looks aged, not healthy...Whereas, although we gasped as Marilyn teetered on the edge, it seems like she never crossed over, even at her death. Hence her status as legendary; A dazziling high-wire act, in contrast to Britney's sit down strikes & freaky outburst. These copy-cat photo's are an insult to Monroe's legacy, in my opinion.

[Mary]

As another poster noted, it's NY Magazine who came up with the idea for this shoot and it's the editor we should be unhappy with.

Why are so many media types in Hollywood and NY, so devoid of fresh and exciting ideas?

NY Mag, Bert Stern, Lindsay Lohan and even the late Marilyn Monroe, have all been ill served by this.

More and more, I'm opting out of mainstream culture and looking for alternatives. A lot of others are too. I'd rather watch a silly, yet original video on YouTube, than almost any Hollywood movie.

[Wooly]

I'm not sure what the intended effect was, but I laughed out loud when I saw the photos of Ms. Lohan. I don't think she needs to be ashamed, but I think that over time she'll be embarrassed by these lamentable, brainless photos.

[elizabeth]

Marilyn may have been an attention seeker, but she sparkled and was original. We all loved her because she had a soft sweetness in her sex appeal that outshined everyone in her present, past, and future. Lindsay is untalented, trashy, and the most classless celebrity I can recall in many years. She may be comparable to Marilyn by some standards, but in my eyes she is on her last lap. Her photos lack any star quality, and frankly, I think she looks like shit. Marilyn still manages to take everyone's breath away. Let someone with oomph - Cate Blanchett or Diane Kruger or even Gemma Ward, give a go at paying homage to a classic. Lindsay Lohan ruins her memory.

[pumpertickle]

Mary asked::" Why are so many media types in Hollywood and NY, so devoid of fresh and exciting ideas?"

In my opinion, the answer is: They are NOT devoid of new fresh and exciting ideas...Since they have money. power & position, why take the risk? To them people are livestock - to be fattened with the cheapest feed. [e.g. Look at how the WGA strike was fought.]

Obama's motto is: CHANGE WE CAN BELIVE IN because any REAL revolution would be crushed. Why is this relevant? Because Obama's campaighn is also crafted by HOLLYWOOD - nothing of substance. Once elected his only true priority will be re-elction in 2012... It's the same hold-the-high-ground agenda as the play-it-safe media types. Whereas, the goof-balls on YouTube got nothing to lose.

[Jack Eyler]

Personally I would rather see a real beautiful woman like Monica Corcoran with nothing on than airbrush Lindsay Lohan. I bet a lot of others would agree, but we never get the chance to see quality over merchandise. Too bad...

[Keith]

Monica. Your introductory sentence is incorrect. It should be "Why do." instead of "What do."

[Lu]

I think it was nice that Lindsay wanted to pay tribute to Marilyn but there is only ONE Marilyn. There have been imitators from the beginning of Monroe's career - Mamie Van Doren, Jayne Mansfield, Stella Stevens, etc and they still continue. Marilyn had something that no one can re-create - a softness, a vulnerability, a sweetness that cannot be contrived. It was natural and that is what made her so endearing when she was alive and what continues to make her so endearing today. The twenty-somethings cannot compete with Marilyn. They have neither the curvy perfect figure and beautiful face nor the inner beauty. Love you Marilyn!!!!!!!!!!

[james s. gagliardi]

Yeesh. What a bunch of silly nannies. I don't understand all the complaints. Lindsay Lohan is a beautiful woman. We all know she is not Marilyn Monroe. Then again, she never claimed/claims that she is. Appearing in a photo shoot in poses similar to M.M. is not a bad thing for Lohan to do. Some of you fellas need to, like, step away from the keyboard...

[bob'syeruncle]

obviously, Maxime has never seen a Marilyn Monroe movie.

Educate yourself--and learn how to write proper English.

[EDDIE]

I think this was done rather tastefully. This is a tribute piece. Tributing is rare in Hollywood, an overlooked artform. The last Hollywood tribute I can think of is the shot-by-shot remake of "Psycho".
There is a difference between reviving a piece to pay tribute to the original and remaking a piece thinking you can do better than the original.
As far as Lindsey goes, good for her to choose to expose her body in a true art form rather than in some porn rag or some lousy teen movie. She is a very beautiful girl and a talented actress. I hope she realizes her full potential and takes more complex roles that challenge her.

[frank1569]

Memo to LL:

Your movie career is five minutes away from over.

Seriously - it's pilot season. Find yourself a sitcom fast.

[Bruce]

At about ten years Marilyn's junior Lohan looks way more fried and depleted than the older, more depressed Monroe. And my God, the wig is horrific. I love Mr. Stern's work, but this is just embarrassing, and an absurd caricature of an important and beautiful historical photo shoot. The original shots strongly evoke sad beauty and impending tragedy. This shoot evokes ridicule and nausea.