Intelligence vs. Icon

            After reading the article, “Not Just a Dumb Blonde” by Neil Norman, one will understand that Marilyn Monroe was actually a smart individual and not a dumb blonde. Most of the American society thinks of Monroe as a blonde bombshell sex figure. However, this woman has an intelligent brain although she did not receive a college degree. She was constantly trying to improve her intelligence by associating with intelligent people, reading books such as Ulysses, and writing poems. Moreover, she has an IQ of 163, a production company, and a successful business career.  It is a shame that her followers confused her dumb blonde characters onto her actual self. Many people overlook women who are gorgeous and also intelligent. This goes to show how our society would rather admire a woman’s appearance rather than her internal beauty and brains. 

Another woman that comes to mind when thinking of a celebrity that plays dumb but is actually extremely intelligent is Lisa Kudrow. Kudrow is an American actress, comedian, and producer who plays Phoebe on the television show Friends. Although her characters tend to portray a dumb blonde, she is actually a very intelligent woman. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Vassar College because she initially wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps to become a headache specialist and physician. She researched and studied headaches for eight years while earning a research credit on the study. One analyst from the article, "Lisa Kudrow: One smart Kookie," comments on Kudrow saying, “She was the ditzy friend, but the real-life Lisa Kudrow is a powerhouse.” After the research, she started her acting career. I believe Monroe and Kudrow may have hid their intellect in order to consume the role of their characters.  By fully engulfing into their acting careers, they do not let their audiences see their true personalities and qualities. I believe people should not jump to conclusions on individuals who play roles as dumb blondes or other unintelligent figures. Many actors and actresses have pursued college and started their own businesses or nonprofit organizations. I believe women should be vocal about their accomplishments and successes in order to give the media something positive to focus on. 

http://www.zimbio.com/10+Secretly+Smart+Celebrities/articles/ZZzQx_HZebp/Lisa+Kudrow

http://www.more.com/lisa-kudrow-one-smart-kookie