“In Hollywood a girl’s virtue is much less important than her hairdo.”
- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“In Hollywood a girl’s virtue is much less important than her hairdo.”
Explanation
This quote is a wry critique of Hollywood’s superficial values, where image often takes precedence over character. Marilyn Monroe, who was both celebrated and objectified for her appearance, uses this statement to highlight how external presentation—especially for women—is prioritized over inner qualities like integrity, intelligence, or morality. By equating virtue with something as serious as character and contrasting it with something as superficial as a hairstyle, she underscores the distorted priorities of the entertainment industry.
Monroe’s own experience validates the truth behind this observation. Despite her efforts to be taken seriously as an actress, she was frequently cast in roles that emphasized her looks rather than her talent. Her remark reflects both frustration and sharp social commentary—she is not simply lamenting the system, but exposing it with biting honesty. It suggests a world where appearance can dictate opportunity, and where a woman’s worth is too often reduced to her glamour.
In today’s media landscape, Monroe’s insight still holds weight. The tension between how women are perceived and how they are valued remains a critical issue, whether in film, politics, or social media. Her quote challenges us to reconsider what we truly reward and admire, and to ask whether we’ve moved far enough beyond the era when a hairdo was more important than character—or whether that imbalance still lingers under a more modern disguise.
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