Stepping Into an Icon’s Shoes
Dakota Johnson is trading her signature brunette tresses for vintage Hollywood glamour. The 36-year-old actor steps into the role of Marilyn Monroe in the upcoming short film Flesh Impact.
A newly released first look reveals a dramatic aesthetic shift. Johnson sports a curly blonde bob, rosy pink lipstick, long lashes, and Monroe’s famous beauty mark above her lip.
According to the project’s press release, the Fifty Shades star will portray the cultural icon “at the height of her fame.”
Reclaiming the Monroe Legacy
Written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal in partnership with the automotive brand Genesis, Flesh Impact is billed as a love letter to cinema’s most enduring star.
“I’ve always been fascinated by Marilyn Monroe,” Gyllenhaal explained in a July 27 statement. “When Genesis first came to me with the idea of a celebratory project for her centennial, I knew I wanted to work together on bringing this story to life.”
The director added that the short film aims to view the beloved star through a “modern lens that reclaims her story,” honoring her ability to challenge convention.
The cast also features Peter Sarsgaard, Sepideh Moafi, and Hollywood veteran Ellen Burstyn. Burstyn will share the titular role, portraying “a version of Marilyn the world never had a chance to see.”
Flesh Impact is slated for its world premiere at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival. During the festival, Burstyn is also set to receive the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
Beauty From the Inside Out
While Johnson is fully embracing the 1950s aesthetic for the screen, she remains fiercely loyal to her personal beauty staples off-camera. She debuted a lighter shade of hair at the 2026 TIME100 Gala, but her trademark fringe remains untouched.
“I’ve had bangs since I was a child,” Johnson told Vogue last November. “I cut them myself. I’ve had the same haircut my entire life, apart from between the ages of about 10 and 14. I just feel like myself with bangs.”
Maintaining her look comes down to a straightforward lifestyle rather than complex routines, despite the occasional inconvenience of frequent trims.
“My hair and nails grow quickly,” Johnson noted. “I think it just has to do with what you do on the inside. I eat very healthily, drink lots of water, and don’t do too much to my hair.”
