“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?