The Kardashian reality star called it ‘the biggest shock’ to her
She caused quite the stir when she showed up at the Met Gala wearing the exact dress Monroe had to be stitched into for her famous performance to John F. Kennedy in 1962 on his birthday.
Kardashian didn’t just face criticism for losing 16 pounds in only three weeks to fit into the dress, but she was also accused of damaging the historic piece of clothing.
However, the bigger issue seemed to be when Kim mentioned that some people weren’t aware of who Marilyn Monroe was before she wore the dress.
During an appearance on the Today Show, host Savannah remarked to Kardashian: “We were just talking, you said you were shocked on TikTok, some people don’t even know who Marilyn Monroe was.”
Kim Kardashian explained how people didn’t know who the icon was before the dress was worn at the Met GalaWWD / Contributor / Getty
Monroe famously wore the skin-tight dress at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962, only three months before her tragic death, which was later ruled as an overdose.
Kim added: “I respect her, and I understand how much this dress means to American history. With the theme being American, I thought, what is more American than Marilyn Monroe singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the president of the United States.”
“I showed up to the red carpet in a robe and slippers.”
“I put the dress on at the bottom of the carpet, went up the stairs, I probably had it on for four minutes and then I changed right at the top of the stairs.”
She explained: “No. [Ripley’s and I] worked together so well.”
“There were handlers and gloves that put it on me.”
Monroe sang to John F. Kennedy in 1962Bettmann / Contributor / Getty
The star had previously shared with Vogue that she had to lose 16 pounds (1.14 stone), explaining that at 41 years old, she ‘would wear a sauna suit twice a day, run on the treadmill, completely cut out all sugar and all carbs, and just eat the cleanest veggies and protein.’
However, while addressing the backlash she faced, Kim added: “I’m not trying to lose any more weight, but I have more energy than ever. I cut out so much sugar, a lot of junk food I was eating.”
“I just completely changed my lifestyle.”
