Blonde’s Ana de Armas shares how paparazzi shaped Marilyn Monroe

Blonde, the upcoming Netflix drama based on Hollywood screen legend Marilyn Monroe and the book by Joyce Carol Oates, Ana de Armas reflected on her paparazzi experience and how it constructed her interpretation of Marilyn.  According to the Cuban-born actress, heavy media scrutiny occurred when she was a household name in Madrid, Spain.

While Armas did not favor the paparazzi’s negative attention, she used it to channel Marilyn Monroe for the film.  At the peak of Marilyn’s fame, the media was more concerned about her personal affairs and sexpot image than her success as a serious actress.  By having this in common with Marilyn, Armas used it as an advantage in her portrayal.

"“It was one of the things that brought me closer to Marilyn. She loved what she did. She loved the profession, and she respected it very much. She just didn’t receive that back.” -Ana de Armas for Variety."

Marilyn was married three times during her life, with two of them being highly publicized.  While filming her role as “The Girl” in the 1955 Billy Wilder film, The Seven Year Itch, Marilyn married Joe Dimaggio, the center-fielder for the New York Yankees.  The union lasted nine months.  She then wed New York playwright Arthur Miller, and like her marriage to Dimaggio, it ended in divorce.

Both marriages will be showcased in Blonde through Armas’ eyes.  In fact, from what can be seen in the trailer, Joe Dimaggio (Bobby Cannavale) is immediately enamored with Marilyn on their first date, a reflection on the real-life date of the couple back in 1952.

Armas had a dialect coach to perfect the seductive yet sweet voice Marilyn was known for to capture Marilyn Monroe’s essence further.  It took nine months to complete as English is not her first language, but Armas was determined to achieve her goal.  It paid off because Ana de Armas won the role of a lifetime.

Blonde will premiere on Netflix on September 28th.