DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR LOOKALIKES
‘Marilyn’ babe says Z-listers killing her career
A MARILYN Monroe double claims Z-list “celebrities” are ruining the lookalikes business.
Suzie Kennedy has played the Hollywood legend for 20 years but says work is drying up.
She is finding it harder to earn a crust because people can now hire reality TV stars on the cheap.
Suzie said: “There are so many celebrities now. People don’t hold lookalikes in the same regard.
“Whereas before I’d get hired to open a cinema, now they’ll get some reality star.
“I started doing this because everyone kept saying how much I looked like Marilyn. I joined an agency and within two weeks I was on set with Naomi Campbell and Stephen Fry filming an advert. It was amazing.
“Then I started doing movies. It spiralled out of control and I loved it. Twenty years on, I still love it.”
Suzie, 40, has been in lucrative advertising campaigns and made TV appearances around the globe.
She even had roles in the movies The Theory Of Everything and BladeRunner 2049.
But being the spitting image of movie icon Marilyn had made Suzie a target for internet perverts.
She said: “I’m quite friendly, so if I get a message from someone saying I look nice I’ll always reply.
“But they can get quite creepy and send me a dirty picture. I get all sorts on social media.
“I get problems in real life too. I’m quite flirty when I’m being Marilyn. I always look them in the eye and make them feel really special. But that gets me into trouble because men think I’m actually interested.
“They don’t realise that I’m in character. It’s hard for them to know if I’m flirting for real or not.”
Despite her A-list looks, Suzie struggles when it comes to dating and it has been 18 months since her last relationship.
She said: “I never know if someone just wants to date me because I look like Marilyn or they think I’ve got loads of money. I always worry they are doing it for a laugh and saying to their friends, ‘you’ve got to see this girl. she thinks she’s Marilyn Monroe!’ It can be a minefield.”
The Londoner signed up for Blind Date in a bid to find a man.
She said: “I was nervous I wouldn’t get picked as I worry I’m undateable. I knew my potential date wouldn’t be able to see me, which was frightening. I usually use my looks as an ice-breaker – it breaks down the barrier.
“But I knew I wouldn’t have that to rely on. And I wasn’t in character, I wasn’t doing my Marilyn voice.”
Suzie was picked on last night’s show and landed a date with single dad Stephen.
She said: “The show was really good fun. I loved hanging out with the other girls. Paul O’Grady is just amazing as the host. He’s even nicer in real life than he is on telly.
“Marilyn never got her happy ending but I’m hoping I’ll get one.”
Catch Suzie and Stephen’s date on Saturday on Channel 5.