Karen Motherway, Ripley's Marilyn Monroe Body Double
by Don Wilson
HOLLYWOOD: July 25, 2016
This piece is a look back to when I met Karen Motherway. I knew Karen via the
internet. I knew that Karen impersonated Marilyn Monroe. I contacted her
and told her that she needed to get down from Washington state to
Hollywood and enter the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Marilyn Monroe Body
Double Contest. Karen and a friend came down and I met with them and we
went down to Ripley's and after the contest with all the Marilyn Monroe
impersonators, Karen Motherway won! It was wonderful to share the day with Karen and see Ripley's lavish gifts upon her - including a $10,000 diamond necklace.
Karen Motherway wins Ripley's Marilyn Monroe Body Double Contest in 2001. Photo: Don Wilson
Motherway
was thrilled to wear Monroe's actual hand knitted Cardigan sweater that she famously wore in
Santa Monica during a George Barris photo session in 1962.
The
day after Karen's win, I interviewed her at Passport Video, where I
worked on documentaries. After our interview, I called actor Tony Curtis
on my cell andhe
congratulated her. Karen was thrilled. Curtis, of course co-starred with
Marilyn Monroe in Billy Wilder's"Some Like It Hot" in 1959. It was a
fun time.
Karen is an internationally renowned Marilyn Monroe look-alike and
tribute artist. She is known for her outstanding physical likeness to
Marilyn as well as her velvety vocals and witty sense of comedic timing.
She has won multiple awards, most notably the 2001 Ripley's Believe it
or Not Marilyn Monroe Body Double contest which took place in Hollywood
CA in celebration of Marilyn's 75th birthday. Karen competed against
more than 50 Marilyn impersonators.
Karen was awarded the grand
prize, a 7 karat diamond necklace! Karen was especially honored to have
been chosen by Marilyn's personal photographers George Barris and Joseph
Jasgur and Marilyn fan club members.
Karen Motherway has performed for
hundreds of audiences throughout the USA and Canada and has been twice
nominated for a Cloney award from the International Guild of Celebrity
Impersonators and Tribute Artists. Motherway is now retired.
Melinda Neal: Blondes Do Have More Fun In Show Biz!
by Don Wilson
Singer/Songwriter Melinda Neal wears different hats in the Entertainment Business.
YUCCA VALLEY, CA.: July 18, 2016 --
Singer/ Songwriter Melinda Neal wears different hats in the entertainment world. Ms. Neal is an ASCAP member and also belongs to the Songwriter's Guild Of America. For years Neal has been doing Marilyn Monroe Tribute Shows and she is currently working on a project called "Goodnight Marilyn". For this venture, Melinda has written several songs inspired by the blonde movie goddess. Titles like: "Gotta Get Away to Paris", '' Marilyn Glamorous Marilyn Monroe", and "Simply Salsa-Get your Gucci Gucci's On". Ms. Neal can sometimes be seen on local television news broadcasts doing her Monroe tribute. Neal recorded some of the songs at Nancy Wilson's "Nan and Sam Recording Studio" in Pioneertown, California. A new composition "Can't Forget About Elvis - I Hear Music" will be recorded in the studio soon.
Neal's late mother Lois Spencer encouraged her to do Marilyn shows saying: " Good Lord, you love Marilyn Monroe, you've got her nose and the drama!" Spencer bought her daughter a Mink Stole that Melinda has worn to many special events. Sadly, she didn't get to see the last few years of her daughter's success, passing away in 2003. Some highlights of her recent career have been the "Goodnight Marilyn Press Release and After
Party Event" held at the famed Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood, California. "Goodnight Marilyn" will be a feature film that delves into the death of the movie icon.
Melinda is featured on You Tube videos, some are featured in this article.
Melinda also won the "Forever
Marilyn Palm Springs Look-a-Like Contest". The famous Forever Marilyn
statue, created by Artist Seward Johnson was the main feature and Neal performed the Monroe song "I Wanna Be
Loved By You" from the film "Some Like It Hot". That film along with "The Misfits" are Melinda's favorite films. Regarding "The Misfits" she said "That's a heartbreak movie - and with Gable - special." When I asked her what attracted her to Marilyn in the first place, she said: "She had a little girl quality and a glow, she just shined!"
Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable in their last roles in "The Misfits" released in 1961.
Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe between scenes from 1959's "Some Like It Hot". Neal says " I can watch it over and over!"
Neal has a stage presence and a playful manner which is loved by her audiences. Not only does she perform as Monroe, but also as Rock songbird Stevie Nicks. Ms. Neal sang part of Nicks' "Dreams" to this writer and her voice was very close to Nicks. She will be recording some of her songs soon. Neal says: "Blondes do have more fun in Show Biz!"
Ms. Neal was born on March 22, which makes her an Aries, a strong sign. She attributes her personality and demeanor to being Scandinavian and French. When asked about her ultimate goal she said : "To win a Grammy!" for one of her compositions, hopefully for one of her Gospel songs. When Neal was asked about her regrets : "I moved a lot when I was younger, my mom was like a gypsy. It was a blessing and hard at the same time.
Melinda Neal in 1996 wearing the blonde colored Mink stole, a gift from her mother.
VIMEO VIDEO: The Marilyn Monroe Look-Alike Contest In Palm Springs:
Melinda Neal can be seen in the center of this photo in the black dress.
Singer Deana Martin (Dino's daughter) and Melinda in Las Vegas.
Showing her versatility, Neal also does classic Billie Holiday songs, in the Jazz tradition. Md Neal says of her: "She's a Blues and Jazz legend. nobody sounds like her!" Here is a video shot in her studio performing Holiday's "Them There Eyes":
Melinda Neal performing as Marilyn Monroe At Palm Springs' 75th Anniversary Celebration:
Melinda Neal in a Stevie Nicks Rock Goddess mode.
Melinda appears on a Palm Springs newscast.
Some images of Melinda Neal captured at home and at personal appearances.
Melinda Neal is optimistic about her future and has a bubbling personality that will win you over. She's there for her friends and fans. As for her relationship status: Sorry guys, she's married! We spoke for an hour and it seemed like twenty minutes. If you ever get a chance to see her in person, check her show out! Neal sometimes plays at local resorts in the Palm springs-Palm Desert area of California. She also runs a Marilyn Monroe group online. Please visit: www.donwilsonshollywoodbeat.com
