Update Core: Audrey Hepburns Star

It is hard to forget how iconic Audrey Hepburn is, even remaining relevant today with her black and white poster from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) plastered in hipster coffee shops, to high school classrooms. William A. Brown examines the rising of her star in, Audrey Hepburn: The Film Star as an Event. To sum up his argument he explains that there can be no singular cause for Audrey Hepburns rise to fame, but rather a combination of factors that enable her star to rise, virtually and in reality. 

Hepburn was an idol for men and women, a peculiar but beautiful contradiction balanced by one of the most unassuming film actress. Brown writes, “Even though fans of Hepburn felt that they might not be a beautiful as the star, they still felt that Hepburn offered hope and inspiration, and freedom from Rosen’s “Mammary Woman” (138). During this time period the Mammary Woman, such as Marilyn Monroe and Jana Russell, defined Hollywood beauty standards and public adoration. Until the androgynous and boy-like Hepburn appeared in Roman Holiday (1953). For women, she provided an alternative and escape from the unconventional and unachievable looks of Marilyn Monroe. Hepburn made the “tom-boy” look acceptable and even beautiful. Whats critical is that she managed to wear Givenchy Haute Couture from Paris, but was not seen as a snob or defined negatively because of it. Pleasing women is half the battle, Hepburn managed to win the men over as well. Brown details, “Not only of men fall in love with her, but Hepburn as an actress also plays characters the fall in love back. Hepburn is not one for scenes of nudity, but she is a character with an aggressive sexuality” (142). Hepburn was careful not to polarize her self on the pendulum of star contradictions, she manages to gain the male gaze as well as female adoration.

In 2017, we see Hepburn’s model of stardom explored by several celebrities, not to the international popularity of the original however. I see popular Americana singer, Lana Del Rey’s rise to fame to share certain principles set forth by Hepburn. Lana Del Rey, born Lizzy Grant was the daughter of a wealthy businessman Robert England Grant, Jr. Plagued by existentialism and teen rebellion, she never fit into the box, battling alcoholism in her teens and being sent to boarding school. These experiences culminated in the creation of an exotic alter ego, Lana Del Rey. Known for her unique look and facial expressions, Lana paved way for many females to identify with someone in the media. Women enjoyed her remorse relationship and anti-establishment ideology, and she mocked the exploitation of the female body, providing herself a “male gaze” of sorts. In her video for National Anthem, she mimics Marilyn Monroes iconic Happy Birthday Mr.President, only to later play Jacquelyn Onassis Kennedy in the scenes ensuing. It is this duality that made me reminisce of the star-creating factors that gave Audrey Hepburn her international fame and legacy.