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Expert Suggests Kim Kardashian Was Gifted a Fake Lock of Marilyn Monroe’s Hair

(Photo Credit: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/ Public Domain and Gotham/ Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/ Public Domain and Gotham/ Getty Images)

Kim Kardashian and Marilyn Monroe are in the news again! Just over a week ago, Kardashian wore Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ dress to the 2022 Met Gala. Later in the week, she received a lock of the icon’s hair as a gift from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Now, a Marilyn Monroe historian is arguing this lock of hair is a fake.

Last week, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not posted a video of Kardashian receiving the piece of Monroe’s hair on their social media pages. In this video, Kim opens the gift from the museum and when she is told that it’s Marilyn’s hair she jokes that she is going to “do some crazy voodoo” while channeling the late actress. She thanks the museum, emphasizing how special the lock of hair is to her. She then turns to her boyfriend Pete Davidson and tells him, “this is sleeping with me every night – sorry babe.”

Presumably, the gift was given to Kardashian before she wore Monroe’s dress to the Met Gala. Last week, Ripley’s also shared a look inside Kim’s Met Gala dressing room filled with Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy memorabilia and artifacts. A piece of Marilyn’s hair was also on display in this dressing room, though it was not the same lock the museum gifted to Kim.

Kim Kardashian at the 2022 Met Gala
Kim Kardashian attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo Credit: Gotham/ Getty Images)

However, on Friday, Marilyn Monroe expert Scott Fortner took to social media, presenting receipts that prove the lock of blonde hair is a fake. Fortner is considered an authority on Marilyn Monroe, and he often assists major auction companies in authenticating and verifying memorabilia.

Fortner posted a series of photos on Instagram disproving that Ripley’s lock of hair was genuine. He took a screenshot of Ripley’s article about Kim’s Met Gala dressing room with the hair on display. In their article, Ripley’s had stated that the lock of hair was clipped by Monroe’s hairstylist, Robert Champion, prior to her performance at Madison Square Garden.

In his Instagram post, Fortner wrote: “News Flash: Robert Champion did not cut and style Marilyn’s hair for the JFK Gala. It was actually the one and only “Mr. Kenneth” (Kenneth Battelle) who had the honors. Battelle is responsible for Marilyn’s famous hairstyle from that night…”

Marilyn Monroe sings at JFK's birthday party, 1962
Marilyn Monroe onstage singing happy birthday to John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Gardens, May 19, 1962. (Photo Credit: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/ Public Domain)

In his post, Fortner also included a receipt from Lilly Dache Beauty Salon. In his caption, Fortner wrote: “The receipt, dated May 25, 1962 list [sic] a ‘Hair Dress’ and references May 18 and 19, 1962. May 19th was the date of the Kennedy gala. The bottom the [sic] receipt reads, “Kenneth Services at home Fri + Saturday.” Marilyn paid $150.00 for the service.

More from us: Trailer for New Marilyn Monroe Documentary Alludes to Dark Secrets

This isn’t the first time this week Kim Kardashian has found herself under scrutiny for wearing Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ dress. The reality television star told reporters that she had to lose 16 pounds in three weeks to fit into this dress as it couldn’t be altered. In recent years, the body positivity movement has paved the way for a greater acceptance of all body types. Her comments have since come under fire as problematic, especially for all the young girls that look up to Kim Kardashian.

Madeline Hiltz

Maddy Hiltz is someone who loves all things history. She received her Bachelors of Arts in history and her Master’s of Arts degree in history both from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. Her thesis examined menstrual education in Victorian England. She is passionate about Princess Diana, the Titanic, the Romanovs, and Egypt amongst other things.

In her spare time, Maddy loves playing volleyball, running, walking, and biking, although when she wants to be lazy she loves to read a good thriller. She loves spending quality time with her friends, family, and puppy Luna!

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