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EXCLUSIVE: I went on holiday and came back with a Guinness World Record - it was wild

During a trip to the beautiful desert city of Palm Springs in California, home to Golden Age Hollywood stars, I found myself with a Guinness World Record after a jolly great time

[Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday at The Downtown Park]

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I found myself with a Guinness World Record after a trip to Greater Palm Springs(Image: Getty Images)

If someone told me earlier this year I'd have a Guinness World Record to my name, I would have thought they were joking. But here I am, with the notorious title following a trip to the United States.

You're probably wondering what on earth I did to secure a Guinness World Record, and no, it wasn't some ludicrous challenge. Instead, all I needed was a blond wig, red lipstick, and a white dress.

I was in the beautiful desert resort city of Greater Palm Springs, known for its Hollywood glamour, mid-century modern architecture and natural hot springs, when this all took place. The Southern California oasis, nestled in the Coachella Valley, was once home to Golden Age Hollywood stars, including Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, but I was there for Marilyn Monroe.

[Forever Marilyn statue]

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Marilyn Monroe was an icon during the 1950s and early 1960s, and has a huge statue in Palm Springs(Image: Amy Jones)

The iconic American actress and model became a global sensation during the 1950s and early 1960s, and was often known for her persona as the 'blonde bombshell'. She tragically died at the tender age of 36 in 1962, but spent much of her adult life in Palm Springs and is known to have spent time in a trendy bungalow known as the Marilyn Monroe Doll House, which I passed by during my trip, still with its signature pink letter box on the front yard.

This year, on 1 June, marked what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday, and to mark the occasion, Greater Palm Springs hosted a celebration and mega event to secure a new Guinness World Record. And I was lucky enough to be there and take part.

[Amy Jones with lookalike Marilyn Monroes]

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We had our outfits and were ready to join our fellow Marilyn Monroes(Image: Amy Jones)

The idea was to gather as many Marilyn Monroe lookalikes as possible in one place for a Guinness World Record attempt. The previous record was 254 in 2020, so there were high hopes that Palm Springs, the home of Hollywood, would surpass it.

I had no idea what to expect, but after signing up for the event and securing my iconic Marilyn Monroe outfit of a styled blond wig, white dress and red lipstick, I was ready to take part. So on Saturday, 30 May, the day before her birthday, I dressed up as the glamorous star and joined my fellow doppelgangers around the Forever Marilyn statue in Downtown Palm Springs, to secure a Guinness World Record.

[Amy Jones]

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I dressed up as Marilyn Monroe to obtain a Guinness World Record in Palm Springs(Image: Amy Jones)

Remarkably, there were a whopping 1,037 Marilyn Monroe lookalikes in attendance, and it was incredible to be around so many people celebrating the icon. Everyone went all out with their outfits, accessorising with pearls, diamonds, sparkly heels, fans and feather boas.

To secure the Guinness World Record, all attendees had to be dressed in the same iconic white halter dress, platinum wig and red lipstick, and everyone absolutely was. So after gathering in our hundreds, singing happy birthday to Marilyn Monroe, and being thoroughly counted, we successfully obtained a new Guinness World Record.

"People are on a high that they get to participate in this", Palm Springs City Council member Ron deHarte told me. "It's not unusual to have something flashy going on in Palm Springs, but this is something different."

[Marilyn Monroe Guinness World Record]

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Marilyn Monroe lookalikes gathered in their hundreds for the occasion! (Image: Amy Jones)

The Pride organisation was connected to the event, as Ron noted, "Marilyn Monroe had a voice, and she used it." And I could feel the celebrations, the love, kindness, acceptance, and overall pride of this city as I put on my best Marilyn Monroe impersonation and joined the joyful, spirited community of Palm Springs for a Guinness World Record.

It was certainly an honour to take part in such an event, and one I won't forget in a hurry. After all, there are only 1,037 of us across the globe who can say we broke a record by dressing up as Marilyn Monroe in the desert.

For more information on the beloved Hollywood destination, or to plan your trip, go to the Visit Greater Palm Springs website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

[Amy Jones]

Amy Jones

Amy Jones is a Senior Travel Journalist who covers a broad range of topics including travel hacks, destination guides, travel news and tips, and interviews with everyone from travel experts to digital nomads. Previously, Amy was a Senior Lifestyle & Features Writer at the Mirror and OK! covering travel, health, real life, homes and celebrity interviews. Before joining OK! in 2023, Amy worked as a Multimedia Reporter at Cambridgeshire Live and as a Content Writer at The Mirror.

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