“That’s the trouble, a sex symbol becomes a thing. I just hate to be a thing.” – Marilyn Monroe
Famous women can be sexy, but not successful. As the media shows time and time again, women can have a platform for being sexualized but the line is crossed when they prosper from said platform. And as the most idolized celebrities, known worldwide for their looks, the best examples of such sexualization are Marilyn Monroe and Modern-Day Marilyn Monroe, Kim Kardashian.
The “Blond Bombshell” that is Marilyn Monroe exploded onto the film scene in the 1950s, becoming not only a star, but a legendary “sex symbol” of the media. Prior to acting, she began her career as a pin-up girl and cover model (even once partaking in a nude photoshoot). Fast-forward to her big break in her acting career and those nude photographs were leaked, catapulting her into the iconic, sexy celebrity she is remembered as today.
Kim Kardashian, on the other hand, rose into fame in 2007 when her famous boyfriend, Ray J, released her sex tape from 2002. With this new attention, the Kardashians were able to book a reality TV show that kicked off their careers. 
Like Marilyn, Kim Kardashian grew up with dreams of fame, surrounded by the ongoings of Beverly Hills and Hollywood’s spotlight. Both celebrities exploded onto the scene with release of “sex” related content, which identified them as the media’s new, shiny sex symbol.
However, despite it being the credit to her fame, Kim expresses discontent with the label calling it “complicated” because while she doesn’t exactly love it, she acknowledges she brought it upon herself. Similarly, Monroe also did not favor the label of an icon of sex but believes that it’s better than the “other things they’ve got symbols of.”
But why wouldn’t the women love the new fame and attention this symbolism brought them?
Well, while both women continued their professional work, away from nude photographs and sex tapes, they continued to be viewed as “things” and not handworkers.
As Marilyn was seen as a pretty woman to look at and nothing more, she was often type casted for her sex appeal and disregarded when it came to serious matters as a “dumb blonde.” In the same-way, Kim Kardashian is constantly questioned on whether she truly deserves her fame and riches, despite her variety of accomplishments other than a sex tape, like businesses, KKW Beauty and SKIMS.
So, when it comes down to our portrayal of these women in the media, ask yourself, why can’t sex symbols also be successful?
October 7, 2021 at 4:01 pm
I completely agree with you, and I thought that comparing Marilyn Monroe to Kim Kardashian was really interesting and accurate. I think that a lot of the media focuses on women as sex symbols because it caters to the male audience. An interesting question to ask would be who were the people who helped Marilyn Monroe and Kim Kardashian rise to fame. If they were men, then the way that they, and many famous women, have been perceived and made out to be would make sense. People do not want to see women succeed, and additionally they will point out other factors such as sex appeal, instead of focusing on their accomplishments, which is not what we should be doing.
October 8, 2021 at 8:55 pm
I was aware of Marilyn Monroe’s story, but I think your connection to Kim Kardashian’s story is very enlightening. While I agree with your point that famous women often receive the most popularity and press for their sex appeal, I think that there is a distinction between the type of press that female celebrities receive and whether they are deemed successful. You explained in the end of your post that Kim Kardashian has had great success as a businesswoman, and many would see that as being successful. Granted, for others, the portrayals of the media do determine their reputation, and reputation can be equated with success. In my opinion, it comes down to how one defines success for themselves and others.