Kim Kardashian’s remark that “a lot of people didn’t even know” Marilyn Monroe before the Met Gala landed like an insult to an icon many consider untouchable. To her critics, it wasn’t just a clumsy comment; it was a symbol of a culture that mistakes virality for legacy. Monroe’s image, her films, and her tragic story have lingered in the public imagination for generations, long before reality television or social media existed.
The uproar over Kardashian wearing Monroe’s fragile, historic gown only deepened that divide. Preservationists worried about damage, fans saw a sacred artifact turned into a red-carpet stunt, and many felt Monroe was being reduced to a costume. Yet, in the clash between influencer culture and old Hollywood, one truth emerged stronger: Monroe’s power doesn’t need a modern sponsor. Her legacy was never dependent on a borrowed dress, and no headline can rewrite what history already remembers.