Christina Hendricks deflects Marilyn Monroe comparisons
August 6th 2010 03:55
The shapely star of TV's Mad Men was recently named a "fabulous" physical role model for young girls, and - as tends to follow when a curvy actress hits the limelight - has been compared with 1950s screen siren Marilyn Monroe. But the 35-year-old Hendricks is quick to deflect such comparisons, telling Parade magazine that, although she loves hearing it, she "could never hold a candle" to the gorgeous Ms Monroe.
"I don't think any woman in the world could get tired of being compared to Marilyn Monroe," said Hendricks. "It is embarrassing, though, because I think that I could never hold a candle, but it is also incredibly flattering, and she's someone I admire greatly. So it's always a really nice thing to hear."
Christina's portrayal of Joan Holloway, the redheaded office bombshell in Mad Men, has earned her an Emmy nomination and a following of both male and female admirers. She said that it was Joan's sassy personality that first attracted her to the role, despite the occasional cringe-worthy moments that the script laid out for her.
"I just love [Joan] because, in the very beginning, I thought, 'Oh, this woman is awful'," said Hendricks.
"And then I started to have so much fun with her and noticed that people were responding really positively to her. And I thought this is such an interesting character and such an interesting woman because she can do these things and say these things that really make you cringe at some moments; she can be intimidating and harsh and brutal. But, at the same time, when she gets knocked down, she gets up again and she has this confidence and sense of humour. I kind of love everything about her right now."
It's not the first time Hendricks has played a fiery character, either. Fans of the cancelled-too-soon TV show Firefly will remember Hendricks as Saffron (or Bridget or Yolanda!) - the sexy schemer who caused trouble for the ship's captain on more than one occasion.
But it was Mad Men that really pulled her into the spotlight, even though Hendricks was not expecting such a positive reaction from viewers at first.
"In Season One, when we would get the scripts, the sort of flip and lackadaisical sexism and racism definitely surprised us," she said. "Even though we knew it existed, to read it every week and to have it so displayed without any shame always made us nervous.
"And now here we are in Season Four, and it's like old hat to us now, like, 'I'm about to say something offensive, listen to this.' The relaxed nature of how people used this language and threw around these comments was shocking in the beginning."
As for Christina herself? She says that she's more like Peggy than Joan in real life, with Joan's cruel edge noticeably missing from her own personality. "I'm just a very, very welcoming person and very easy going and not at all scary like Joan can be," she said.
To read more about Christina Hendricks - and get a little sneak preview of what will be happening in Season Four of Mad Men - check out Parade magazine's full interview here.
Hendricks on Monroe: 'She's someone I admire greatly.'
"I don't think any woman in the world could get tired of being compared to Marilyn Monroe," said Hendricks. "It is embarrassing, though, because I think that I could never hold a candle, but it is also incredibly flattering, and she's someone I admire greatly. So it's always a really nice thing to hear."
Christina's portrayal of Joan Holloway, the redheaded office bombshell in Mad Men, has earned her an Emmy nomination and a following of both male and female admirers. She said that it was Joan's sassy personality that first attracted her to the role, despite the occasional cringe-worthy moments that the script laid out for her.
"I just love [Joan] because, in the very beginning, I thought, 'Oh, this woman is awful'," said Hendricks.
"And then I started to have so much fun with her and noticed that people were responding really positively to her. And I thought this is such an interesting character and such an interesting woman because she can do these things and say these things that really make you cringe at some moments; she can be intimidating and harsh and brutal. But, at the same time, when she gets knocked down, she gets up again and she has this confidence and sense of humour. I kind of love everything about her right now."
Hendricks in the role that shot her to fame
It's not the first time Hendricks has played a fiery character, either. Fans of the cancelled-too-soon TV show Firefly will remember Hendricks as Saffron (or Bridget or Yolanda!) - the sexy schemer who caused trouble for the ship's captain on more than one occasion.
But it was Mad Men that really pulled her into the spotlight, even though Hendricks was not expecting such a positive reaction from viewers at first.
"In Season One, when we would get the scripts, the sort of flip and lackadaisical sexism and racism definitely surprised us," she said. "Even though we knew it existed, to read it every week and to have it so displayed without any shame always made us nervous.
"And now here we are in Season Four, and it's like old hat to us now, like, 'I'm about to say something offensive, listen to this.' The relaxed nature of how people used this language and threw around these comments was shocking in the beginning."
On the red carpet at the 2010 Met Gala
As for Christina herself? She says that she's more like Peggy than Joan in real life, with Joan's cruel edge noticeably missing from her own personality. "I'm just a very, very welcoming person and very easy going and not at all scary like Joan can be," she said.
To read more about Christina Hendricks - and get a little sneak preview of what will be happening in Season Four of Mad Men - check out Parade magazine's full interview here.
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Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
At least Christina has the grace to say so - others (like a certain Ms Lohan) seem to think that their own comparison with Monroe is warranted! Lindsay actually did a photo shoot for Spanish Vogue last year where she got all dolled up as Marilyn and spent the day basically pretending to be her (here's the pics). With the hair and makeup done she did look similar to her, but could never replicate the same onscreen presence (as you've mentioned yourself).
It is tempting to make sentimental comparisons but you don't want to alter the memory of someone by doing it in such a crude way... let people be who they are, and leave the icons out of it, I say.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
Good review on it though Shaun, and thanks for the link.