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Name: Amy Stanford Gaskin

©Marilyn Forever! By Amy Stanford Gaskin Book Cover

“When I met the people in Australia who see her as a Symbol of Hope to overcome cancer and feel good about themselves, that really sealed it for me.“

Most publications tend to retread the familiar Hollywood rumors or tragic narratives surrounding Marilyn Monroe. What was the exact insight that inspired you to create this book?

I knew very little about her before beginning this project.  I happened upon her crypt when I found wet lipstick marks on it during the pandemic when we were shut down, afraid even to touch our groceries!  I was curious and began to interview people at her grave.  I became interested in them as soon as I met them. I listened to their stories about how she inspires them personally, in their lives.  People are relating to who she was as a person, rather than her stardom.  I had never heard this angle before.

When I met the people in Australia who see her as a Symbol of Hope to overcome cancer and feel good about themselves, that really sealed it for me.  This is something that is a worldwide phenomenon.  The people on the cover see her as a symbol of hope for cancer - they are not look-alikes. This is a once per year charity event.

The scope of her reach and embodiment of hope is mind-boggling.

©Marilyn Forever! By Amy Stanford Gaskin

©Marilyn Forever! By Amy Stanford Gaskin

“She had her own production company, yet routinely had her intelligence underestimated. “

In what ways do you view Marilyn as a symbol of hope and resilience?

Marilyn had a very difficult childhood and upbringing.  She lived in an orphanage not far from a famous Hollywood studio which she could see from her room.  She would cry, dreaming of being out of the orphanage and into the world as a star.  She more than achieved that dream, as we know.  She had her own production company, yet routinely had her intelligence underestimated.  She was inclusive of all kinds of people which is a big reason many relate to her. One of the most striking aspects of the project that people tell me is that Marilyn continues to resonate with people from vastly different backgrounds, races and ethnicities. These aspects of Marilyn’s influence across so many seemingly different backgrounds were some of the most profound. 

“Ella Fitzgerald said,  “I owe Marilyn a real debt. She was an unusual woman — a little ahead of her time.  And she didn’t know it.““

What shines through, I was told many times, is her humanity.  They feel she is relatable because she went through many of the same things that people today continue to experience. Upon finding the interview where jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald said,  “I owe Marilyn a real debt. She was an unusual woman — a little ahead of her time.  And she didn’t know it,” I found this incredible. 

It is her humanity and seemingly small acts of kindness that make her very relatable. So much of what she did at the time, she may have not thought was remarkable.  For instance, seeking out children to be photographed with in an orphanage who are Black.  But it is important to also remember that these acts of kindness were during a short life which ended in 1962. When we look at that period in history, we can see that Marilyn chose to be inclusive, when others were not. 

“Marilyn had friends in the gay community.  She didn’t treat them differently.“

Marilyn had friends in the gay community.  She didn’t treat them differently.  This was told to me on many occasions as a reason that people today resonate with her.  She was open to all kinds of people and respectful.  This was something I heard many times from those I interviewed.

In Australia, she is seen as a symbol of hope, gutsiness and body positivity in the face of adversity.  Over 500 men and women swam in the ocean to raise money for cancer research, support and prevention by dressing as her once a year.

When I met the people in Australia who see her as a Symbol of Hope to overcome cancer and feel good about themselves, that showed the hope aspect so clearly.  This is something that is a worldwide phenomenon.  The people on the cover see her as a symbol of hope for cancer - they are not look-alikes. This is a once per year charity event to raise money for cancer charity.

“Marilyn is very relatable, with what she went through and what she achieved. She stuck up for human rights and didn’t like racism.“

Your photo book captures a wide range of diverse voices, from LGBTQ+ advocates to cancer survivors. Was there one specific individual you photographed who fundamentally influenced your understanding of Marilyn’s enduring legacy?

There was a woman named Donna who has tattooed Marilyn over her heart and has purchased the nearest crypt she could to Marilyn’s, even though her family lives in the United Kingdom.

“I was the black sheep of the family. I felt different, but I didn’t know why until I got older.  When I first came out, my mom didn’t speak to me for a year.  She was born the same year as Marilyn, but they were very different in their views,” Donna explained.

Donna continued, “Marilyn is very relatable, with what she went through and what she achieved. She stuck up for human rights and didn’t like racism.  She wasn’t afraid to say what she felt. I wanted to be like that.  Through her actions and acceptance of all types of people, he was trying to say, ‘Love is love. It doesn’t matter your color, your sexuality, or anything like that.’  She was very much ahead of her time.”

“Purposefully, I have not watched movies about Marilyn.  This is a portrait of Marilyn through the eyes of people who are inspired by her today.“

Through your work for National Geographic and The Washington Post, you are deeply familiar with the craft of documentary photography. How did you arrive at your very own interpretation of the world of Marilyn’s admirers?

My interpretation comes from the many interviews I’ve had the privilege to document over six years.  Everything I’ve written is based on facts.  First-hand accounts of why these people relate to Marilyn and see her as a source of inspiration.  Interviews with people who knew Marilyn personally. It is their truth. Purposefully, I have not watched movies about Marilyn.  This is a portrait of Marilyn through the eyes of people who are inspired by her today.

“This is her 100th year, but Marilyn is Forever. “

June 1st marked what would have been Marilyn’s 100th birthday. How did you feel on that milestone day?

I felt excited to share this story and book with many people I had interviewed over the years.  That is continuing.  This is her 100th year, but Marilyn is Forever.  Her legacy is ongoing.  It seems to get bigger every year.

“I think it is her remarkable personal story of overcoming so much in her life that isa large reason people continue to be inspired by her.“

Why do you believe that she, out of everyone, remains unforgettable—perhaps even more intensely so than during her actual lifetime?

I believe who she was as a person was at the heart of every image. I’ve always believed that who someone is as a person will come through in the camera — certainly over the many years and decades of images of Marilyn. I haven’t seen “bad”photos of her.  She was truly professional and skilled. I believe her popularity today, in large reason, comes from her inclusivity of all types of people. People want photos of those they feel a connection with. People connect to Marilyn — for much deeper reasons than I had previously realized.  I think it is her remarkable personal story of overcoming so much in her life that isa large reason people continue to be inspired by her.

What kind of feedback and resonance have you received regarding your book so far?

The resonance has been entirely positive!  Many who love Marilyn say they can see themselves in this book.  People Magazine named it #3 / 10 books about Marilyn which is incredible.  The images have won many worldwide awards including Finalist—World Report Award, Four Best of American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and American Photographic Artists (APA) International prizes.  I feel very blessed and grateful.

September 26 - October 25, the Festival of Ethical Photography in Lodi, Italy will mount a very large exhibition of images from the book, which is a tremendous honor.  The project was selected as Finalist for the World Report Award and the artistic directors decided to award it an exhibition.  I will be speaking there the weekend of October 3 and 4.

Is the photo book currently available for purchase in regular bookstores within Germany or Europe?

It is available directly at amygaskin.com.  It is in limited quantity and is also available with a fine art print.  The book will also be available at the festival in Lodi, Italy.

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©Marilyn Forever! Artist and author Amy Stanford Gaskin ©Courtesy by the artist