Rare Footage Surfaces of Sophie Monk’s Striking Marilyn Monroe Portrayal
A rediscovered clip of Sophie Monk embodying Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe has captivated fans, coinciding with the late actress’s 100th birthday. The footage, from the 2003 Australian-filmed TV movie The Mystery of Natalie Wood, showcases Monk’s remarkable transformation into the legendary star.
Marking Monroe’s centenary, Monk shared a segment from the film on social media, highlighting her portrayal of the Some Like It Hot actress. Monk is virtually unrecognizable, sporting Monroe’s signature platinum blonde curls, dramatic winged eyeliner, and a vibrant crimson lip. Dressed in a glamorous white ensemble, the former Popstars contestant channels Monroe’s alluring charm and distinctive vocal cadence.
Fans Express Astonishment at Monk’s Transformation
“Happy 100th birthday Marilyn! I loved playing her in the movie. Cute wigs,” Monk captioned the nostalgic post. The reaction from fans and celebrity peers was immediate, with many praising Monk’s uncanny resemblance to the tragic Hollywood figure.
Dannii Minogue described the performance as “incredible,” while Australian model Ellie Gonsalves called it “iconic.” A significant number of followers expressed surprise at never having known about Monk’s role. “How did I not know this!!?? You nailed it!” exclaimed one Instagram user. Others inquired about the film’s title and expressed admiration for Monk’s embodiment of Monroe.
Some fans recalled Monk’s earlier experience as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, a detail that perhaps foreshadowed her acting success.
A Debut Role Launching a Diverse Career
The production of The Mystery of Natalie Wood featured a notable Australian cast, including Rachael Taylor, Nikki Osborne, Colin Friels, and Steven Vidler. For Monk, this marked her acting debut and served as a springboard for her subsequent career.
Her acting credits later included a role alongside Adam Sandler in the 2006 film Click and an appearance in the American TV series Entourage. More recently, Monk filmed a role in the upcoming US-Australian co-production Zombie Plane, which is slated to feature Chuck Norris’s final film appearance.
Monk’s Departure from Hollywood
In October 2023, Monk revealed the reasons behind her decision to leave Hollywood in 2015, just as she was on the verge of a significant film breakthrough. She cited the industry’s casting couch culture as a contributing factor.
“You would be doing meetings and you’d be like, ‘Is this a date or a reading?'” Monk shared with Stellar Magazine. She described instances where personal relationships influenced casting decisions, leading her to feel disillusioned. “It’s a funny little place and people warned me about it before I went. I was like, ‘I will be fine.’ But before I knew it, I was like, ‘This is not what I’m about’. That’s why I thought, I want to come back to Australia. I was just on the cusp of getting some good stuff, but I didn’t want it anymore,” she concluded.
Upon returning to Australia, Monk has established a successful career as a television presenter, hosting popular shows such as Beauty and the Geek and Love Island.
