In California, over a thousand people dressed up as Marilyn Monroe to set a record

In Palm Springs, California, a large-scale performance took place in which 1,037 people dressed in white dresses and light-colored wigs recreated the iconic look of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. 

The event, which took place on May 30, 2026, near the famous giant statue “Marilyn Forever,” was officially entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. The event was dedicated to the upcoming 100th anniversary of the legendary actress’s birth.

The historic gathering of lookalikes was organized by the Palm Springs Pride community and a number of local tourism associations. The location for the record attempt was not chosen by chance: Palm Springs played a key role in the life of Norma Jeane Mortenson (the star’s real name). It was here, at the dawn of her career, that renowned photographer Bruno Bernard introduced the young model to influential Hollywood agent Johnny Hyde, which helped her sign her first professional film contract with a weekly salary of $125. The photographer’s grandson, Joshua John Miller, was one of the guests of honor at the celebration.

To bring the concept to life, the organizers set up an unprecedented beauty zone. Celebrity stylist Ted Gibson and his large team of hairdressers worked nonstop for two days to prepare and style over a thousand identical platinum wigs. Professional lookalikes of the movie star also helped create the looks, including the well-known model Shelley Michelle, who once served as Monroe’s official stand-in on film projects. Among the participants who passed the strict verification process by Guinness World Record judges were people of all ages, genders, and professions—from local retirees and families with children to fans who flew in from other states.

Alongside the record-setting event, the city opened a themed exhibition space and a pop-up souvenir market called Marilyn Boutique 100. As part of the anniversary celebration, anyone could have their photo taken in special interactive photo zones with air currents, allowing everyone to recreate the legendary scene from the movie *The Seven Year Itch* featuring a white dress billowing over a ventilation grate. Guinness World Records has already confirmed that the event in California was the largest simultaneous gathering of people dressed as a single pop icon in history.