Marilyn Monroe Estate Defends Ana de Armas' Cuban Accent in 'Blonde'
After the actor received backlash.
While many have mixed feelings about Ana de Armas being cast in Blonde, the Marilyn Monroe estate is defending the actor after all the criticism she’s received.
For the film, de Armas kept her Cuban accent, which was claimed to “not entirely match Monroe’s iconic breathy tone.” However, despite not authorizing the forthcoming Netflix movie, the estate came to her defense.
“Marilyn Monroe is a singular Hollywood and pop culture icon that transcends generations and history,” stated Marc Rosen, president of the estate. “Any actor that steps into that role knows they have big shoes to fill. Based on the trailer alone, it looks like Ana was a great casting choice as she captures Marilyn’s glamour, humanity and vulnerability. We can’t wait to see the film in its entirety!”
de Armas closely studied the late icon’s voice for nearly a year. “It only took me nine months of dialect coaching, and practicing, and some ADR sessions,” she told The Sunday Times. “It was a big torture, so exhausting. My brain was fried.”
Additionally, de Armas opened up on the casting process, revealing filmmaker Andrew Dominik was immediately set on her. “I only had to audition for Marilyn once and Andrew said ‘It’s you,’ but I had to audition for everyone else,” she told Vanity Fair. The producers. The money people. I always have people I needed to convince. But I knew I could do it. Playing Marilyn was groundbreaking. A Cuban playing Marilyn Monroe. I wanted it so badly. You see that famous photo of her and she is smiling in the moment, but that’s just a slice of what she was really going through at the time.”
Blonde premieres on Netflix on September 28.
