Norma Jeane Baker as Marilyn Monroe

"I never wanted to be Marilyn - it just happened. Marilyn's like a veil I wear over Norma Jeane." -M.M

She was an actress, in more ways than one.

“Do you want to see me become her?” -Norma Jeane Baker on "Marilyn"

Not to disrespect her talents, skill, or body of work, but when I’m reminded of the actress Monroe I always wonder if it’d be better if she were a model… not an actress.

I say this for two reasons:

1. Marilyn and acting

Performance anxiety, arriving late, forgetting lines and technical aspects are just some of the problems she suffered.

Not to mention the crew filming with her had issues also. A quick search yields headlines like “nightmares on set” – for her movie The Prince and the Showgirl. Or “how Marilyn almost derailed “Some Like it Hot””.

“Marilyn Monroe suffering anxiety on set of Bus Stop”, “tendency to miss her marks”, the theme goes on and on.

“Monroe became a much-admired international star despite chronic insecurities regarding her acting abilities. She suffered from pre-performance anxiety that sometimes made her physically ill and was often the root cause of her legendary tardiness on film sets, which was so extreme” Biography - Marilyn Monroe

Compared to

2. Marilyn and photography

Photography came first.

It was the springboard from which Norma Jeane would eventually become Marilyn. She was signed with a Hollywood modelling agency and it was a slingshot to her acting career.  

The startling difference between the experiences of both her and crew when filming and photographing is like night and day.

It was always a much more pleasant experience for everyone and the results were remarkable, nothing short of magical.

“Marilyn Monroe loved the camera and the camera loved Marilyn Monroe – specifically the photo camera and not the film camera, which she often had problems moving in front of (even if the results were always stunning in the end). She considered her acting talent to be insufficient, which was expressed in her chronic lack of punctuality, driving directors and colleagues on film sets to despair. 

She knew how to put on make-up and which light flattered her the most, and at the end of a photo shoot, she purposefully selected the photos that she liked and that should be published.

The many photographers Monroe worked with throughout her life praised her for her professionalism in front of the camera. She was aware of its effect and knew how to use it properly for a successful photo.” Marilyn Monroe and the Camera: A Love Story

She took it so seriously, yet it was effortless for her. Less stressful than acting.

Maybe she’d have been happier just doing endless photos and rising to prominence there.

But this is simply a What-If:

Some individuals have a specific appeal and allure and it sparks a wonder of how it would be if they could fully focus their energies on that gift or talent what kind of life or person would they be and the contribution to the world would be.

Regardless, Marilyn Monroe the actress was legendary.