PALM SPRINGS — More than 1,000 Marilyn Monroe look-alikes gathered in Palm Springs, California, on June 1, 2026, to honor what would have been the actress’s 100th birthday and set a new Guinness World Record. The group eclipsed the previous record of 254 Monroe impersonators, established in Australia in 2020.
The participants assembled near the 'Forever Marilyn' statue in downtown Palm Springs, all wearing replicas of Monroe's white halter dress from 'The Seven Year Itch,' platinum blonde wigs, red lipstick, cat-eye sunglasses, and holding martini glasses. Each attendee paid a $75 entry fee that included a costume kit with those signature items.
The record attempt formed part of a three-day celebration that featured live entertainment, food vendors, and Marilyn Monroe-themed pop-ups. Organizers used QR code scanning to verify physical attendance for the Guinness World Record submission.
“More than a thousand people attended the event and expressed confidence that the record would be broken,” Ron deHarte said. He added that organizers relied on QR code scanning to confirm attendance.
The event also raised money for Palm Springs Pride and the LGBTQ+ community. Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortensen on June 1, 1926, and died in 1962 at age 36.