An expert is weighing in on an unusual gift Kim Kardashian received leading up to her controversial 2022 Met Gala appearance.
At the event last week, the 41-year-old reality star made headlines when she wore a very iconic piece — Marilyn Monroe’s actual dress that the legendary Hollywood star wore when she sand “Happy Birthday Mr. President.”
The gown was loaned to Kim from the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! museum in Orlando, after initially denying her request. During her meeting with museum officials, they presented Kim with what appeared to be a lock of Marilyn’s hair. The museum shared a clip of the moment on their Instagram account.
However, Marilyn Monroe historian Scott Fortner is now alleging that the hair Kim was given is fake.
In the original post from the museum, they claimed that the lock of hair was cut by hairstylist Robert Champion before Marilyn’s famous Madison Square Garden performance for the birthday of John F. Kennedy. But Scott stated:
“News Flash: Robert Champion did not cut and style Marilyn‘s hair for the JFK gala.
It was actually the one and only ‘Mr. Kenneth‘ (Battelle) who had the honors. Battelle is responsible for Marilyn‘s famous hairstyle from that night, as documented by a receipt from Lilly Dache Beauty Salon.”
A representative for Ripley’s is clearing the air, telling People that the hair Kim has is authentic and was different from the lock that was displayed in her dressing room:
“The hair gifted to Kim was given by Marilyn Monroe to Robert Champion. This clipping was authenticated by John Reznikoff, one of the most respected and trusted experts in the field of hair collecting.”
