‘America’s sweetheart’: exhibition explores Marilyn Monroe’s complex relationship to stardom

The new exhibition at LA’s Academy museum features some of the star’s most intimate belongings that have never been available for public viewing There’s an unsettling moment in Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, a new exhibition opening in Los Angeles this weekend, where some of the star’s last recorded words emanate from the gallery walls. Her voice, gentle and unassuming, is taken from a restored audio recording of her final interview, published in Life magazine the day before she died. Continue reading...

Matthew Cantor in Los Angeles · Sat, May 30, 2026, 8:00 AM
California | The Guardian

‘America’s sweetheart’: exhibition explores Marilyn Monroe’s complex relationship to stardom

The new exhibition at LA’s Academy museum features some of the star’s most intimate belongings that have never been available for public viewing

There’s an unsettling moment in Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, a new exhibition opening in Los Angeles this weekend, where some of the star’s last recorded words emanate from the gallery walls.

Her voice, gentle and unassuming, is taken from a restored audio recording of her final interview, published in Life magazine the day before she died.

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