- Joan Collins has written a new memoir
- It includes several explosive revelations
- THIS is what Marilyn Monroe warned her about
In an explosive new memoir that's shaking the pillars of Hollywood, the legendary Joan Collins, 90, recounts a star-studded soirée at Gene Kelly's where she met none other than the blonde bombshell herself, Marilyn Monroe.
The 'Dynasty' diva dishes out the details of their one-time meeting, where Monroe, looking "lonely and lost," imparted some sage advice that would echo through the halls of Hollywood for years to come.
Marilyn knew what she was talking about
Collins, then a fresh-faced 20-year-old in the city of stars, felt an instant connection with Monroe. Over martinis, the two chatted "just like girlfriends," but it wasn't all light-hearted banter. Monroe, with the wisdom of someone who'd seen the dark underbelly of fame, warned Collins to "Watch out for the wolves in Hollywood, honey."
"I only met her once," the actress told Fox News. "She was sitting at the bar at Gene Kelly’s house. Gene Kelly and a group of friends were talking animatedly about politics. She was looking lonely and lost."
Collins said she was new to Hollywood at the time, having moved there at the age of 20. Just before their meeting, Collins had signed a contract with 20th Century Fox, attaching her to her first starring role, the lead in 1955's 'The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing'. Monroe went on to tell Collins that she had originally signed on to play that role, but later decided she was "too old."
"She said, 'Watch out for the wolves in Hollywood, honey.' I told her, 'Well, I’ve been an actress for three years already doing British films, and we have wolves there, too.' My father gave me good advice on how to deal with them."
Marilyn had long been suspected of being a victim of abuse from those within the industry who sought to milk her for as much as she was worth.
Not everything that shines is silver and gold
The memoir, 'Behind the Shoulder Pads: Tales I Tell My Friends,' is packed with jaw-dropping anecdotes from Collins' illustrious career, including her first harrowing encounter with the notorious casting couch. She recalls a producer's lecherous advances and how she narrowly escaped his clutches, hiding in a wardrobe until the coast was clear.
But it wasn't just the producers who played the predator; even co-stars like Richard Burton and George Peppard made unwelcome advances. Collins, however, stood her ground, refusing to let these men derail her dreams.
The memoir in many ways echoes the #MeToo movement that saw dozens of actresses speak out against the same "wolves" that Marilyn warned Collins about.
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She's now a Dame!
Lost too soon...
Despite the industry's dark side, Collins also shares lighter moments, like her interactions with Hollywood heartthrobs James Dean and Warren Beatty. Dean's need for speed and tragic fate serve as a somber reminder of the price of fame.
Collins' tale is a testament to her resilience in an era when Hollywood's glitter often masked grim realities. Her refusal to succumb to intimidation and harassment is a powerful message for aspiring actors and actresses everywhere.
As Collins puts it, "Do you think because some guy chases you around the wardrobe department or pinches your bottom, you’re going to give up acting? No way."
For more tantalizing tidbits from the golden age of cinema, grab a copy of 'Behind the Shoulder Pads: Tales I Tell My Friends' and dive into the life of a true survivor of Hollywood's heyday.
