There was a sea of platinum blond wigs and white halter dresses as Palm Springs Pride attempted to break a Guinness World Record Saturday by assembling hundreds of Marilyn Monroe look-alikes to honor what would have been the actress’ 100th birthday.
And history was made, according to the city of Palm Springs’ Facebook page, which showed video proof of the record attempt near the city’s iconic “Forever Marilyn” statue.
Organizers sought to surpass the record of 254 people dressed as Monroe, and set a goal of attracting at least 500 participants.
They shattered the record, with 1,037 Marilyn Monroe look-alikes participating, according to co-organizer Max Dirdah.
“From the golden-hour record attempt to the unforgettable birthday party atmosphere, this milestone celebration was one for the history books,” the city of Palm Springs stated on its Facebook page. “Congratulations, Palm Springs, on a record-breaking tribute worthy of a legend!”
The video showed the area filled with women, children and men — including many with beards — dressed and made up to look like the starlet.
Organizers ordered every halter dress and platinum wig they could get their hands on, and then found more, Dirdah said. The $75 registration fee included the dress, the wig, a martini glass and sunglasses. There were stylists when the kits were handed out to make sure the locks were correct.
A Guinness World Records representative could not attend, he said. The record will be certified and submitted to the firm.
Monroe’s actual birthday is June 1, 1926.
The celebration extended beyond the record attempt. The Plaza Theatre, in partnership with the Film Society of Screwball Comedy, was screening films starring Monroe from Friday through Monday. Tickets are available through the Plaza Theatre website: palmspringsplazatheatre.com.
Restaurants and other establishments throughout Palm Springs were also participating in the citywide tribute, organizers said.
Proceeds from the event were to benefit the nonprofit Palm Springs Pride.