Fact Check: Marilyn Monroe slept with Jane Russell.

Fact Check: "Marilyn Monroe slept with Jane Russell"

What We Know

The claim that Marilyn Monroe slept with Jane Russell lacks credible evidence and is contradicted by multiple sources. Monroe and Russell co-starred in the iconic film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), where they portrayed characters that shared a strong friendship. Their off-screen relationship was characterized by mutual respect and camaraderie, rather than romantic involvement. According to a detailed analysis of their friendship, they were fiercely loyal to one another and valued their bond above any romantic entanglements with men (source-1).

Jane Russell herself, in various interviews and writings, emphasized the importance of their friendship and never indicated any romantic relationship with Monroe. In her autobiography, she reminisced about their time together but did not mention any sexual relationship (source-3).

Analysis

The assertion that Monroe and Russell had a sexual relationship appears to stem from sensationalized media narratives that often sought to create rivalries or scandals among Hollywood actresses. Both women were subjected to intense scrutiny and speculation regarding their personal lives, often leading to distorted portrayals of their relationships.

Russell's accounts of her friendship with Monroe consistently highlight their professional respect and personal bond. For instance, Russell stated that she never felt threatened by Monroe, indicating a supportive relationship rather than a romantic one (source-8). Furthermore, the nature of their characters in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes—one a practical brunette and the other a seemingly naive blonde—was often misinterpreted as reflecting their real-life dynamics, which were more complex and rooted in friendship (source-1).

The reliability of sources discussing their relationship is generally high, as they come from biographical accounts, interviews, and analyses of their work together. However, sensationalist claims often lack substantiation and are not supported by credible evidence.

Conclusion

The claim that "Marilyn Monroe slept with Jane Russell" is False. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion, and both Monroe and Russell's documented interactions and friendships indicate a strong bond based on mutual respect rather than romantic involvement. The narrative surrounding their relationship appears to be a product of media sensationalism rather than factual history.

Sources

1. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell’s Ode to Female Friendship
2. Jane Russell
3. Marilyn Monroe & Jane Russell: A Hollywood Friendship
4. Big Bad Jane: Jane Russell's Book of Praise
5. This Day in Jane Russell History: Sinking in Cement With Marilyn
6. Inside The Friendship Between Marilyn Monroe And Jane Russell
7. Marilyn and Jane Russell Cover ‘Closer’ – The Marilyn Report
8. Jane Russell Never Felt 'Threatened' by 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'