Kardashian's Marilyn Dress Saga: Damage, Debate, and Defiance

As of November 2025, the controversy surrounding Kim Kardashian's wearing of Marilyn Monroe's iconic 1962 dress to the 2022 Met Gala remains a topic of discussion. Kardashian, who underwent a dramatic physical transformation to fit into the dress, has faced ongoing scrutiny over the alleged damage to the garment.

In a recent lie detector video, Kardashian's costar Teyana Taylor directly questioned her about "whooping" the dress. Kardashian firmly denied any wrongdoing, stating, "I don't know how it got to me, but it's perfect now." When pressed further about who fixed the dress, Kardashian refused to provide details, citing the potential $10 million insurance cost.

The dress, which was originally designed by Jean Louis and cost $12,000, was reportedly so tight that Monroe had to be sewn into it prior to her famous performance for President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Kardashian's decision to wear the dress to the 2022 Met Gala sparked outrage, with before-and-after photos showing signs of damage, including missing crystals and small rips along the zipper seam.

Ripley's Believe It or Not, the museum that owns the dress, has denied the allegations of damage, citing a 2017 report that outlined pre-existing flaws in the delicate material. However, the museum has not provided further details on the source or publication of this report.

As the debate continues, Kardashian's appearance in the Marilyn Monroe dress remains one of the most talked-about red carpet moments of 2022, with the public and experts alike scrutinizing the dress's condition and Kardashian's role in its alleged damage.