Growing up I never cared much for Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, or The Weeknd. Instead, as everyone else was singing the lyrics to “Bad Blood” or “As It Was”, I would put in my headphones and listen to oldies such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, or Patsy Cline. You know, the music your grandparents listen to.
Throughout my years of listening to these singers and bands, and researching their history, I’ve come to find out there are so many of these musicians and actors/actresses who don’t receive enough credit.
Some musicians receive no credit and their human side is often unrecognized. The perfect example of this is the wonderful Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe.
Garland, who was born June 10th, 1922, was an American actress who’s most known for her role as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” in which she sang her most famous song “Over The Rainbow”. Judy Garland would go on to work with celebrities such as Fred Astaire and befriended others like Ethel Merman and even President JFK. When she wasn’t acting, she would be busy with her “Judy Garland Show ” or hosting concerts such as the one at Carnegie Hall, her most famous one.
Monroe, born June 1st, 1926, was known for her acting and her status as a “Sex Symbol” in the early 1950s. Though she was incredibly stunning, Marilyn also had the voice of an angel as she sang iconic hits such as “Kiss” in her film “Niagara”, “I Want To Be Loved By You” in “Some Like It Hot”, and more noticeably “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” in her film “Gentlemen Perfer Blondes”.
With these details and knowing their fame, how else could they deserve more?
The answer is simple. They deserve more respect. These two American actresses and singers went through so much in their time of Hollywood fame.
Garland was sold into show business by her mother and was later forced to take pills to not only stay up late but to help her not eat so much, and her self-esteem was crushed by other employees. All of this was just at sixteen years old.
Monroe was never taken seriously and often was just seen as what men wanted her to be. She was abused by her husband Joe DiMaggio, was blamed for Clark Cable’s Death, and even had rumors of an affair with President JFK and his brother RFK, which was never proven true.
Even with the 2022 film “Blonde” which was a fictionalized movie of Monroe, she still is treated in such a disrespectful manner.
Though these two went through so much, they still managed to do good in the world. Garland would protect her gay audience in the 1960s by stating she wanted people to be who they are (even marrying two gay men), helped make sure her children such as Liza Minnelli were safe and happy, and continued to go out of her way to bring joy to the world.
Monroe was not just some “sex symbol”. In fact, she was a genius. She once made her Movie production studio until she was given more equality in Hollywood, was highly religious, never mocked God, and even helped Ella Fitzgerlad with her music career after Fitzgerald dealt with prejudiced club owners in the 50s.
Miss Garland and Miss Monroe were and forever will be iconic figures in Hollywood history. They helped pave the way for future generations and helped others feel seen, heard, and appreciated.
Marilyn Monroe died on August 4, 1962, and Judy Garland died on June 22, 1969. Both from a barbiturate overdose. Though they are gone, let them never be forgotten and the love and beauty they gave our world never stop shining.
