Kim Kardashian Received 'Fake' Lock of Marilyn Monroe's Hair Presented By Ripley's

 Kim Kardashian Received 'Fake' Lock of Marilyn Monroe's Hair Presented By Ripley's

(Source: Instagram)
 

"News Alert: Marilyn Monroe Hair Gifted to Kardashian by Ripley's is Fake," composed Monroe antiquarian Scott Fortner after Kim Kardashian wore the late symbol's dress to the 2022 Met Gala.

Related: Why Kim Kardashian Didn't Go For Curls for Marilyn Monroe Met Gala Look: 'It Wasn't An Option'

After Ripley's Believe It Or Not! gifted the Kardashians star, 41, an alleged lock of Marilyn Monroe's hair, Monroe student of history Scott Fortner exposed the news on Friday — and he has the (strict) receipts to demonstrate it. "News Alert: Marilyn Monroe Hair Gifted to Kardashian by Ripley's is Fake," Fortner composed on Instagram. "Who styled Marilyn's hair for the JFK gala: Robert Champion or Kenneth Battelle?"

He shared a screen capture from Ripley's site, highlighting a photograph of one more lock of Monroe's hair that was shown in Kardashian's Met Gala changing area. Albeit the post has since been refreshed, Ripley's initially asserted the hair was trimmed from Monroe's head by hair specialist Robert Champion in front of her notorious Madison Square Garden execution for President John F. Kennedy's birthday on May 19, 1962, 90 days before her passing.

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A post shared by Kardashian/Jenner News (@sharinapro)

""News Flash: Robert Champion did not cut and style Marilyn's hair for the JFK gala," Fortner wrote. "It was actually the one and only 'Mr. Kenneth' (Battelle) who had the honors. Battelle is responsible for Marilyn's famous hairstyle from that night, as documented by a receipt from Lilly Dache Beauty Salon."

A rep for Ripley's let PEOPLE know that the lock skilled to Kardashian was as a matter of fact legitimate and not a similar hair showed in her changing area. "Ripley's exhibit collection contains six different samples of Marilyn Monroe's hair — all authenticated and truly Marylin's," they said.

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"The hair gifted to Kim was given by Marilyn Monroe to Robert Champion," the rep added. "This clipping was authenticated by John Reznikoff, one of the most respected and trusted experts in the field of hair collecting."

Reznikoff didn't quickly answer PEOPLE's solicitation for input. Kardashian has confronted blended reactions subsequent to wearing Monroe's notable dress from her well known "Blissful Birthday, Mr. President" execution to the 2022 Met Gala.

Fortner recently let PEOPLE know that Kardashian wearing the dress, which Ripley's purchased for $4.81 million out of 2016, is "cause for concern" as "the fabric for the dress was literally sculpted to [Monroe's] body to precisely match every curve."

Related: Kim Kardashian 'Starved' to Lose 16 Pounds Just to Fit in Marilyn Monroe Dress at Met Gala

"While I understand the appeal of wanting to wear such an iconic gown, it can't be dismissed or overlooked that anyone other than Marilyn Monroe wearing the famous 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' dress might be cause for concern for several reasons," Fortner said, adding: "The dress was custom-made for Marilyn Monroe. It's not an off-the-rack garment.."

Monroe's home has since said that the late symbol would support Kardashian's rewear at the Met Gala, as per TMZ. Before the follicle disarray, Kardashian expressed gratitude toward Ripley's for advancing her the dress in any case.

"Thank you Ripley's Believe It or Not! for giving me the opportunity to debut this evocative piece of fashion history for the first time since the late Marilyn Monroe wore it. I am forever grateful for this moment. ✨🕊," she composed on Instagram last week.