Showbiz Today Star of Tomorrow

Poppy Montgomery: Kingdom of the 'Blonde'


Poppy Montgomery brings a longstanding admiration for Marilyn Monroe to her role in "Blonde." "I was a huge fan of hers ever since I remember," she says

By Lori Blackman
CNN Showbiz Today Reports

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Poppy Montgomery may not look like Marilyn Monroe at first sight. But put her in front of the camera, with the proper wig and make-up artists, and she's miraculously transformed into a close look-alike of the legendary actress.

At least, that's what many critics are saying. Montgomery just says she's happy to have had the opportunity to play her childhood idol. The 25-year-old star of the CBS miniseries "Blonde" -- which concludes Wednesday night -- was born and raised in Australia. Five years ago, she came to the United States and shed her accent to begin a career in Hollywood. Now, she tackles one of Tinseltown's biggest stars.

MORE STARS

CNN: You bear a striking resemblance to Marilyn Monroe in this film. Were you surprised at all seeing (it)?

Poppy Montgomery: Well, I still don't think I looked like her. I wasn't that kind to myself. There were moments that were shocking to me, like getting married to Joe DiMaggio, that scene. But, ultimately, I tried not to focus on that so much.

CNN: Is it true that you had a little infatuation with Marilyn, growing up?

Montgomery: Oh, a big one. I was a huge fan of hers ever since I remember. I don't even remember where it started, it was that far back. As a child I had posters and saw all her movies, (and) I read all the books about her, including the inspiration for this film, the Joyce Carol Oates novel "Blonde," which I read five times.

CNN: What was that like for you then when your idol's life story came to you as an actress?

Montgomery: I never thought I would get it. I just didn't think that I would get the role. I was floored. I only auditioned once.

But I was also terrified. I was with my best friend and I said, "I can't do it. People will criticize me, and oh my God, it's Marilyn Monroe, it will be scrutinized. I just can't do it. Joyce Carol Oates is so brilliant and I want to do justice for her book."

And she said; "You're doing it," and I said, "OK." And that was that.


The proper wig and make-up artists transformed Montgomery into a striking Monroe

CNN: How did you approach tackling the role?

Montgomery: I think the important thing is to approach (her) as a human being, a three-dimensional living thinking person, as opposed to this pop icon or cartoon figure. I didn't want to imitate Marilyn Monroe. It wasn't about portraying her-the-movie-star, it was about portraying the girl Norma Jean Baker.

CNN: You really capitalized on her intellect and her savvy in this film, which hasn't really been focused on in the past with her.

Montgomery: Well, she was brilliant, and I only used what I was given and Joyce Carol Oates really focused on that. Thank God she did because it made for a really complex Marilyn Monroe, which is what she was really like.

CNN: Did you personally connect with Marilyn Monroe?

Montgomery: Oh, absolutely. I think that she's a role model to me in many ways.

A lot of people say, "Oh, but she's such a tragic figure." I don't view her as a tragic figure. I view her as a woman who achieved greatness in her life and left behind an incredible legacy, this amazing body of work. You know, outside of this Andy Warhol image that she has become, she left her work behind. To me she's a role model as an actor and as a person. I think she was a gentle soul and the world was a little bit harsh for her.

CNN: From your prospective, what (was) the most difficult part of tackling this role?

Montgomery: Doing Marilyn Monroe justice and the book justice -- putting those fears out of my head that I couldn't. And humanizing Marilyn, making her a person as opposed to a pinup.

The most difficult part was putting my fear and insecurities away so I could focus and do my job. I mean -- Marilyn Monroe, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. ... She's an icon. You sort of set yourself up as an actor when you take on an icon. You can be brutally attacked in the press, and -- knock on wood -- I've been really lucky. Which I am so thrilled about because I would have just broken down in a little heap if they hadn't been kind to me.

CNN: The critics are saying that you've channeled Marilyn Monroe. That must be very gratifying for you.

Montgomery: You know, it really is. Everyone says, "Don't read reviews, don't listen to it, you can't." Well, I did, and I was so happy that they were good.

CNN: You're on the cover of TV Guide this week. Are you being recognized right now?

Montgomery: Not at all , and I was on the side of buses and not recognized there either. I was standing on the line at the market the other day surrounded by TV Guides with my face on the cover, and no one gave me a second glance. They were all looking at the TV Guide. I felt like saying, "But that's me," and I realized that no one would believe it. There I am in my sweats with my hair in a bun and circles under my eyes and I'm on the TV Guide cover.

CNN: Your middle name is Petal -- Poppy Petal Montgomery. What about the names of your four sisters?

Montgomery: Rosie Thorn, Daisy Yellow, Lily Belle and Marigold Sun. My mom found this flower fairy book of the summer and thought it night be nice and we all got stuck with them.

It was sheer torture growing up. It was horrible. I was called "Sloppy Poppy," "Poopy Poppy," and I (thought), "I hate my name." But now it's good, except that everyone thinks I made it up. "Is that your real name, is that your stage name?" I'm like, "No, it's my real name. I suffered as a teenager, let me have it now. It's mine."