What almost wasn’t. Kim Kardashian made a statement in Marilyn Monroe’s dress at the 2022 Met Gala — but the look almost didn’t make it onto the red carpet.
“They just pulled the whole thing from me, so I am fuming. I tried the prototype first to see if that fit. Once it fit, they sent the original,” Kim, 42, explained in a confessional during a new episode of Hulu’s The Kardashians, which premiered on Thursday, November 3. “When I went to put it on, it wouldn’t even go up over my hips. I was devastated.”
The Skims founder admitted she was struggling with the possibility of not attending the event.
“I was so prepared to go in my head that it is going to make me so upset to not,” she told Khloé Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian about her efforts behind-the-scenes. “I wrote [Ripley’s Believe It or Not] a groveling begging email so they were very firm. They were like, ‘We can’t get the insurance,’ so I said we would get it. I have an answer for everything and they are just like no.”
While the episode didn’t air until Thursday, fans know the California native made headlines when she attended the Met Gala in the vintage Bob Mackie gown in May. “It was this or nothing,” she told Vogue about the dress previously worn by Monroe in 1962. “I didn’t starve myself, but I was so strict.”
At the time, the reality star recalled how wearing a sauna suit twice a day, running on the treadmill, completely cutting out sugar and carbs and eating clean helped her lose 16 pounds in three weeks.
Following the big night, Kim took to social media to document her post-red carpet meal. “So, after the Met, I am starving,” she said in an Instagram video at the time. “And my favorite donuts in the entire world, in New York City are these mini donuts. Oh, my God, you guys, I have them in the room! How cute is this?”
The aspiring attorney added: “Guys, I haven’t had carbs or sugar in almost a month. Definitely [not for] three weeks. And this pizza … I’m so excited!”
After people raised concerns about her weight loss, Kim made it clear she stood by her decision. “To me it was like, ‘OK, Christian Bale can do it for a movie role and that is acceptable.’ Even Renée Zellweger gained weight for a role. It’s all the same to me,” she said during an interview with The New York Times in June. “I wasn’t saying, ‘Hey everyone, why don’t you go lose this weight in a short period of time?’”
The beauty mogul noted that she “didn’t do anything unhealthy” to fit into the iconic dress. “It was just important to me to reach that goal,” she continued, before explaining her plan if she didn’t lose the weight in time. “I just simply couldn’t have gone, which wouldn’t have mattered.”
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Scroll down for Kim’s special glimpse at the days leading up to the Met Gala:
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Kim Kardashian Reveals She Was Originally Not Allowed to Wear Marilyn Monroe Dress: 'They Just Pulled the Whole Thing From Me'
What almost wasn't. Kim Kardashian made a statement in Marilyn Monroe’s dress at the 2022 Met Gala — but the look almost didn't make it onto the red carpet."They just pulled the whole thing from me, so I am fuming. I tried the prototype first to see if that fit. Once it fit, they sent the original," Kim, 42, explained in a confessional during a new episode of Hulu's The Kardashians, which premiered on Thursday, November 3. "When I went to put it on, it wouldn't even go up over my hips. I was devastated."The Skims founder admitted she was struggling with the possibility of not attending the event."I was so prepared to go in my head that it is going to make me so upset to not," she told Khloé Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian about her efforts behind-the-scenes. "I wrote [Ripley's Believe It or Not] a groveling begging email so they were very firm. They were like, 'We can't get the insurance,' so I said we would get it. I have an answer for everything and they are just like no."While the episode didn't air until Thursday, fans know the California native made headlines when she attended the Met Gala in the vintage Bob Mackie gown in May. "It was this or nothing," she told Vogue about the dress previously worn by Monroe in 1962. "I didn't starve myself, but I was so strict."[sendtonews type="float" key="PGvMMIiSgU-2830747-14453"]At the time, the reality star recalled how wearing a sauna suit twice a day, running on the treadmill, completely cutting out sugar and carbs and eating clean helped her lose 16 pounds in three weeks.Following the big night, Kim took to social media to document her post-red carpet meal. "So, after the Met, I am starving," she said in an Instagram video at the time. "And my favorite donuts in the entire world, in New York City are these mini donuts. Oh, my God, you guys, I have them in the room! How cute is this?"The aspiring attorney added: "Guys, I haven't had carbs or sugar in almost a month. Definitely [not for] three weeks. And this pizza ... I'm so excited!"After people raised concerns about her weight loss, Kim made it clear she stood by her decision. “To me it was like, ‘OK, Christian Bale can do it for a movie role and that is acceptable.’ Even Renée Zellweger gained weight for a role. It’s all the same to me,” she said during an interview with The New York Times in June. “I wasn’t saying, ‘Hey everyone, why don’t you go lose this weight in a short period of time?’”The beauty mogul noted that she “didn’t do anything unhealthy” to fit into the iconic dress. “It was just important to me to reach that goal," she continued, before explaining her plan if she didn't lose the weight in time. “I just simply couldn’t have gone, which wouldn’t have mattered."New episodes of The Kardashians air on Hulu Thursdays.Scroll down for Kim's special glimpse at the days leading up to the Met Gala:
Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock
An Iconic Red Carpet
"I wasn't going to go to the Met because I was like how do I top last year? With Balenciaga, it was such a moment and it is the same theme," Kim explained about her initial plans before she decided to go as Marilyn. "It is scary and exciting to do this all by myself."
She continued: "This is a big deal for me. The Met is so important to me. Honestly, I wasn't even invited until I went with Kanye [West] so I am so excited to do my own vision this year."
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
A Couple's Costume
According to the KKW Beauty founder, the idea of wearing the late actress' dress felt like the perfect representation of America.
"When she sang Happy Birthday to John F. Kennedy — who is America — I thought where is the dress that she wore?" she recalled. "[Ripley's Believe It or Not] said I can try on the dress."
Kim discussed having then-boyfriend Pete Davidson match her outfit, adding, "And Pete will come with me. If Pete wears a suit and a skinny tie, he is my full JFK."
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Her Connection to Marilyn
"It was scandalous that she wore a sheer nude dress. It was the first time that anyone had worn a naked dress and it was scandalous at his birthday," Kim pointed out, noting she was "fascinated" by the late model. "I love that she did things her way. She transformed herself to be this complete icon and now everyone on the planet knows who she is. Much respect."
For the businesswoman, it was important to have her Met Gala ensemble depict a story. "Ever since I did the Balenciaga look with the face mask and covered from head to toe, it changed how I feel about just looking pretty on a red carpet," she shared. "Especially for the Met, it is not just about looking pretty. I
Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock
Making It Work
During the episode, Kim broke down the steps she took before trying on the famous gown.
"I have googled her measurements and compared to my measurements. The weight of my shoulders and my body makes me like a shapeshifter," she told the cameras. "I can squeeze into anything, but no one trusts us. For years, they wouldn't send samples and then once I would get to Paris and try it on then they would be like, 'Oh, wait she actually fits in our stuff.'"
In a confessional, the TV personality said she had "no backup plan," joking, "The backup plan is I will be in my Skims pajamas at home eating."
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Change of Plans
Viewers got to see Kim try on the prototype which fit her body. Later in the episode, the Hulu personality revealed she originally wasn't allowed to wear the original dress because it wouldn't go over her hips. (She ultimately wore it for a few minutes at the Met before changing into the replica.)
"At this moment, I am not going to the Met so I can already feel the FOMO happening. I am not going to give up," she shared. "I have about three weeks to fit into this dress. I am going to do every last thing that I can to try to make this happen. It is going to be really hard and I will have to eat so clean and so perfect and cut out sugar which is so hard for me."
Kim added that she didn't plan to "take no for an answer" from the museum.
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As an expert in fashion and celebrity culture, it's fascinating to delve into the intricate details of Kim Kardashian's journey to wear Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress at the 2022 Met Gala. The insights provided in the article shed light on the meticulous planning, challenges faced, and the determination Kim exhibited to make the fashion statement a reality.
Firstly, let's address the significance of the dress itself. The vintage Bob Mackie gown worn by Kim Kardashian was previously donned by Marilyn Monroe in 1962. This historical connection adds a layer of cultural and fashion importance to the ensemble. Kim highlighted that it was a "this or nothing" situation for her, emphasizing the gravity and personal significance attached to wearing this particular dress.
The article reveals a behind-the-scenes struggle Kim faced in getting the dress to fit perfectly. The initial prototype fit, but when she attempted to put on the original dress, it wouldn't go over her hips, leading to a potential fashion crisis. This candid revelation showcases the challenges and uncertainties even celebrities encounter in preparing for high-profile events like the Met Gala.
Kim's determination to make the dress work is evident in her efforts behind the scenes. She went to great lengths, even reaching out to Ripley's Believe It or Not, and attempted to secure insurance to ensure she could wear the dress. This demonstrates not only her passion for the fashion moment but also her problem-solving skills and resourcefulness.
The article also delves into Kim's preparation for the Met Gala, where she adhered to a strict regimen involving wearing a sauna suit, running on the treadmill, cutting out sugar and carbs, and maintaining a clean diet. This level of commitment to achieving a specific body shape for a dress reflects the pressures and expectations in the world of high-profile red carpet events.
Kim's post-Met Gala celebration, documented on social media, further emphasizes her relatability and humanizes the glamorous event. Her excitement about indulging in favorite foods like mini donuts and pizza after weeks of discipline adds a personal touch to the narrative.
In response to concerns about her weight loss, Kim defends her choices by comparing her efforts to those of actors like Christian Bale and Renée Zellweger who undergo transformations for movie roles. This comparison provides a perspective on the industry's standards and the lengths individuals are willing to go for their craft.
Overall, the article provides a comprehensive look into the intricate world of celebrity fashion, shedding light on the challenges, sacrifices, and personal narratives that accompany iconic red carpet moments. It showcases Kim Kardashian's determination, problem-solving skills, and commitment to making a lasting fashion statement at one of the most prestigious events in the industry.
