The Met Gala is not merely a gathering of celebrities enjoying a night out; it’s a highly anticipated event celebrated for various reasons, particularly the stunning fashion showcased on the red carpet.
Attendees don a wide array of unique outfits at the Met Gala, whether they opt for elegant attire or choose to make a bold statement with something unexpected. The 2022 Met Gala also featured an unexpected moment that caught many by surprise.
Kim Kardashian made a striking appearance on the red carpet in a dress that many recognized instantly. It was the iconic ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ dress worn by Marilyn Monroe, a piece that has garnered significant fame over the years. While many praised her for the way she wore it, there were also accusations of damage to the dress, which she firmly denied.
To fit into the dress, Kim revealed that she followed a rigorous diet and faced challenges in achieving the right fit. This situation has sparked discontent among some observers regarding the surrounding controversy.
In a Vogue interview, she shared that she lost over a stone in just three weeks. Her regimen included wearing a sauna suit twice daily, running on the treadmill, and completely eliminating sugar and carbs from her diet, focusing instead on clean vegetables and protein.
While it’s clear why she experienced such rapid weight loss, many are concerned about the unhealthy methods she employed.
Kim stated, “I’m not looking to lose any more weight, but I feel more energetic than ever. I’ve cut out a lot of sugar and junk food from my diet. I’ve really transformed my lifestyle.”
She compared her experience to that of other celebrities who alter their weight for film roles, saying, “To me, it’s similar to how Christian Bale changes his weight for a movie, and that’s seen as acceptable. Even Renée Zellweger gained weight for a role.
“It’s all the same in my eyes. I wasn’t suggesting that everyone should try to lose weight quickly.”
The main question is whether she actually harmed the dress while wearing it. Images from Scott Fortner, a collector who specializes in authenticating memorabilia related to Monroe, appear to show stretched and buckled fabric along with missing crystals on the back.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not, the dress’s owner, stated that “great care was taken to preserve this piece of pop culture history. With guidance from garment conservationists, appraisers, and archivists, maintaining the garment’s condition was a top priority… no alterations were made to the dress, and Kim even changed into a replica after the red carpet!”
Conversely, the International Council of Museums advises that historic garments should not be worn by anyone, including public figures.
Ripley’s also issued a statement: “The controversy surrounding Kim Kardashian wearing the ‘Happy Birthday’ dress is well-known, but it’s important to note that she did not damage the garment during the brief time it was worn at the Met Gala.”
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Amanda Joyner, the vice president of publishing and licensing at Ripley, added: “From the moment Kim put on the dress at the Met steps to when it was returned, the dress remained in the same condition as when it started.”
The renowned museum further clarified: “A recent social media post questioned, ‘Was it worth it?’ Kim Kardashian did not pay Ripley’s Believe It or Not! to wear the dress, nor did the company compensate her. Instead, Kardashian made a charitable donation to two charities in the greater Orlando area in connection with the dress.”
Kim Kardashian also expressed her thoughts on wearing the iconic outfit.
“I have immense respect for the dress and its significance in American history,” she remarked. “I would never want to sit in it, eat in it, or risk damaging it in any way, and I won’t be using the type of body makeup I typically wear.”
It was quite the experience! I arrived on the red carpet wearing a robe and slippers. I slipped into the dress at the bottom of the carpet, made my way up the stairs, and had it on for just about four minutes before changing right at the top.
When asked if she caused any damage to the dress, she replied: “No. [Ripley’s and I] collaborated perfectly. There were handlers in gloves who helped me put it on.”
Another point of contention arose when Kim Kardashian mentioned that no one knew who Marilyn Monroe was before she donned the gown. This sparked a wave of backlash, with many expressing disbelief at her comment.
Ultimately, Kim stated: “I have great respect for her and I recognize the significance of this dress in American history.
“With the theme being American, I thought, what could be more American than Marilyn Monroe singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the President of the United States?”
