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The Marilyn Scandal | An Original Musical Interpretation Inspired by Sandra Shevey’s Book
Behind the image of a Hollywood icon is the story of a real woman with ambitions, vulnerabilities, relationships, struggles, and a dedication to her craft.
Inspired by Sandra Shevey’s The Marilyn Scandal, this original music project explores the human story behind Marilyn Monroe’s public image.
Drawing on the book’s portrait of Monroe, including accounts from people who knew her, the project reflects on themes of identity, fame, personal struggle, artistic ambition, and the challenges of being understood beyond the image the world sees.
My creative approach was to interpret the emotional depth of the book and translate its central themes into an original musical expression. The intention was to look beyond the glamour and celebrity surrounding Monroe and explore the more personal story beneath it: a woman whose life and experiences were far more complex than her public image suggested.
This project demonstrates my approach to literary-inspired songwriting and music creation transforming the ideas, atmosphere, and emotional themes of a published work into an original musical experience.
Creative contribution: Original music project by Alias Derek, inspired by Sandra Shevey’s book.
Book inspiration: The Marilyn Scandal by Sandra Shevey.
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