Lindsay Lohan Recreates Marilyn Monroe's "Last Sitting"

Lindsay Lohan by Bert Stern.
In 1962, photographer Bert Stern shot a series of photos (2,571 in all) of Marilyn Monroe at the Hotel Bel-Air that are collectively known as “The Last Sitting.” The 36-year-old Monroe was in the darkest period of her life, having weathered two recent divorces, gallbladder surgery and sickness during production of the romantic comedy Something’s Got to Give, from which she was fired and rehired. Six weeks after the Stern photo shoot, Monroe died from a barbiturate overdose in her L.A. home.

46 years later, Stern has revisited the series with Lindsay Lohan filling in for Monroe in a NY Magazine shoot that fastidiously replicates the original poses, lighting, and clothing. “It was very similar, déjà vu you might say, like revisiting an old street,” says Stern, who adds that the project arose from his interest in “controversial women,” or “bad girls,” like “Britney, Paris, and Lindsay.”

Lohan, who owns a lot of Monroe “stuff”, including an apartment the doomed starlet once occupied, seems to be in denial about the parallels between her troubles and Monroe’s last days, instead pointing to Heath Ledger’s death as “both prime examples of what this industry can do to someone.”

When asked during a break in the shoot why that fate befalls some and not others (hint, hint), Li Lo “replied with a flicker of annoyance: ‘I don’t know. I’m not them. But I sure as hell wouldn’t let it happen to me.’”

Photo composite of Marilyn Monroe by Bert Stern.

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By John Del Signore in Arts and Events on February 18, 2008 12:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Phil Parker

Why are so many people attacking LL for having accepted this job? To criticize the airbrushing of her tattoos and freckles is absurd, after all it wouldn't be a depiction of Marylin if they weren't left out, though it's agreed that a nice full bush would have complimented the shoot in style.

Her high fee that so many criticize, is a reflection for its commercial value dictated by the public's obsession with MM, no different from the obsession for Elvis that has, and will continue to give rise to so many thousands of his impersonators. The irony is that regardless of whether opinions are positive or negative, it is the ability to inspire these opinions to reach the public forum that is the single most determining factor giving rise to such value.

So to those in objection: Blame yourselves. Your obsessions, so predictable and transparent have once again enabled this young, problem riddled - though apparently, highly intelligent - actress to have found yet another way of making a lot of money The end of her career will occur the day her actions, whatever they may be, result in the absence of reactions from you. With such a day being nowhere in sight, LL is LHFAO all the way to the bank!

Go Linday, you know they would all kiss your sweet ass if given half a chance!

brandylorraine

p.s. everyone always talks about her style and beauty and sex appeal, does anyone ever talk about her movie career, talk about her as a person and not a toy???

I doubt it, most of you are clouded by the wrong idea of marilyn monroe.

brandylorraine

To those who have or will write such negative things. i dont think someone should insult others for trying or not trying to be something/one they aren't. there are thousands if not more people in the world who are trying to find themselves, or aspire to be as great as someone was. no one in this world is original. everything we know was progressed or made better for our convenience by someone who tried to be like their heroes, or the ones they thought were so 'perfect'. you can be yourself, even if you imitate another.

plus marilyn monroe wasn't original. her influences were lana turner and jean harlow.

(She signed with the agency and began researching the work of famous actresses Jean Harlow and Lana Turner. Monroe enrolled in drama and singing classes and had her hair cut, straightened and lightened to golden blonde.[31)

--look marilyn monroe on wikipedia.com and read under the early years...)

i mean i and others imitate something we are not every year!! ever hear of halloween.ever hear of vegas? no ones trying to destroy the image of marilyn monroe or take it away!!!

marilyn99

To those who believe that bert stern is broke/desperate/senile

just look on ebay and you will see that "The original Complete last sitting sells on ebay for approx USD 110 and it is currently out of print.

If bert stern was broke, he could simply re-print it.

and why are you people so upset that Lindsey Lowhan "is not marilyn"

let me remind you that lowan may be troubled, but she has not topped herself yet, so give her some credit.

And would you attack some Elvis impersonator in the same way you are attacking lowan. You are huddled in the box room of your tiny suburban homes furiously typing away at the keyboard venting your anger at a talented young actress who had the courage to accept a controversial offer from a very famous photographer who thinks she has what it takes.

4_kellimarie

First of all Lindsey is no where near the status of Marilyn Monroe and never will be. It is a insult to the late Marilyn that she could even fathom resembling her. WHY IS THIS GIRL FAMOUS? She has no talent! The only thing shes good at is snorting lines and smoking 3 packs of Marlboro reds a day. I am outraged as a Marilyn Monroe fan that these pictures even went to print.

LoveSpell

She is lovely.

I know us women are catty...but ladies, lets stop being so jealous of her.

I mean come on now...Go to the gym, put on some make-up..feel glamorous. Maybe then you will stop hating those who are beautiful..

Go ahead and comment and say youre not jealous---I'm sure thats not the reason you hate her ;)

Cheers

Tim N.

That's......... a lot of freckles.

Tim N.

That's......... a lot of freckles.

jcutler37

i believe that marilyn monroe is amazing and lindsay lohan has not even came close to the status that marilyn monroe was at...marilyn is classy and elegant and lindsay is just nasty and looks like a man in these pictures..and is trying way too hard to be sexy while marilyn is effortlessy sexy at everything she does

tyanjoco

This is unreal! What would make her Lindsay Lohan think that she is an any way compariable to Marilyn Monroe? Why would she be the one chosen for this photo shoot? How desperate is she? No one will ever come close to Marilyn Monroe, her beauty, her acting abilities, or her legend.

toestring

I totally agree with the first sentence of Hawk's comment. Lindsay Lohan is no Marilyn Monroe. She, Lohan, is far prettier and substantially more normal. Her NY Magazine photo shoot is one she should have done several years ago, and should repeat regularly. Despite her personal problems (likely we all fight our own private demons), she is a talented actress and a very beautiful woman.

Geminate

Well this is quite pathetic. Those wigs are just so trashy. Even I might look better than Lindsay. Monroe did actually have beauty, but she was was weak and ended up just being a loser. If Lindsay wanted to be a star, she would stand on her own merits, if she has any. Why do women try to emulate past movie stars? You will never be like them, you can't be them, only they are themselves, and only you can be yourself. Only losers try to be something that they are not, and in the process forsake themselves.

Snoopy

Has anyone done an Elvis impersonation?

Hawk

WARNING.......WARNING

The post that states

I found Lindsay Lohan as Marilyn Monroe nude video

N I C E :)

DO NOT CLICK TO THAT LINK, IT HAS A TROJAN VIRUS, THANKS YOU, McAFEE FOR CATCHING IT!!!!!!!!!!!

virgil

As far as cliche celeb behaviour goes, gratuitous nudity beats drunken, unstable motherhood or accidental overdoses any day,as far as I'm concerned. Could someone please suggest this to Scarlett Johanssen? Thanks.

foodlover

EW. not sexy. not at all.

Jen Chung

On the upside, Lindsay is no longer emaciated.

babyhitler

this is just fucking boring. After 45+ years of Marilyn Imitations, how can a photog suggest to a model to pose like Marilyn. Everyone's done it. Christina aquilara did it, paris hilton did it, Nicole kidman does it this month and now LL and it never stops! This is the magazine publishing world's equivalent of going to Kmart and taking a family photo with a goulish homemade knit sweater. STOP IT!

Steven

Lindsay finally went nude...

Steven

Lindsay finally went nude...

TimSPC

I, for one, appreciate Lohan's new photos.

angry_pickle

Marilyn Monroe looks like she has nice skin. Lindsay Lohan's skin looks like it has been ravaged by the sun. While Monroe looks glamorous, Lindsay looks awkward and chunky. Also is that a wig she is wearing? Because it is hideous.