For this month’s member spotlight, we have interviewed Stephanie Stuart, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, actor, and producer based in Los Angeles, CA. With a passion for entertaining, she has built a career that blends old Hollywood glamour with her own modern spark, creating unforgettable moments for audiences while continuing to grow as a versatile performer. Read on to check out her success story and gain valuable gig tips!
Becoming a Marilyn Monroe impersonator
Stephanie has been performing since childhood, often singing and staging shows with friends for their families. She dreamed of becoming a veterinarian until 8th grade, when her first theatre class changed everything and ignited a lifelong passion. Since then, she has dedicated herself to honing her craft, bringing characters to life, and captivating audiences. This journey ultimately led her from Texas to Hollywood in order to pursue her talent on a bigger stage.
Learning from the classics
Stephanie’s interest in Marilyn and classic Hollywood started early. She said, “My momma would put on classic movies when I was home sick from school, and we joked that Andy Griffith was part of the family. So, I was introduced to Marilyn at a young age and always thought she was dazzling.”
However, her first time appearing as Marilyn happened unintentionally. After being cast as Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” at the age of 14, her friends and tech director noticed her resemblance to Marilyn. She had big blonde hair, red lips, and a white halter dress. A few years later, she was preparing to sing “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” for a choir performance, but the guys couldn’t rehearse. Reflecting on this, she said, “I already signed up to do Marilyn, so without understanding the implications, I sang ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’… with a JFK. That was the start.”
There is a lot of work and research that goes into an impersonation. “I immersed myself in her, from movies to interviews, books, and articles,” explained Stephanie. One of the biggest challenges has been finding her personal limits for sustaining a high-quality performance. “I have had to discover where she lives and which mechanics I have to change,” she said, “I can’t do the breathiness all day. So, discovering the balance (without going high-pitched and sounding like Snow White) has been more of a challenge.” Even after years, she still studies her movements, facial expressions, look, and sound. “She’s enigmatic and electric, and I feel like I constantly find something new to try.”
Reflecting on success and looking ahead
Over the years, performing as Marilyn, Stephanie has had a few stand-out gigs. One, singing to Charles Barkley on “Inside the NBA”. Stephanie remarked, “I am a huge basketball fan, so meeting Barkley and Shaq through my work was glorious, and they did not disappoint.”
Another instance was a birthday celebration for an eighty-year-old man whose father used to see Marilyn Monroe while working at the 20th Century Fox lot. Stephanie said, “My client had such a vast knowledge of Marilyn that we were going back and forth on trivia like an old school talk show.” She even took photos inside his classic car, and his daughter had them printed on shoes as a gift. “I’ll never forget either of these and knowing I was able to make someone’s day as much as they made mine,” reflected Stephanie.
Stephanie has exciting projects on the horizon. A short film, Marilyn’s Dark Paradise, is appearing at domestic festivals. “It’s a fantastical short film I worked on with my darling friend (and Marilyn aficionado), Remi Gangarossa. We will be at the Atlanta Women’s Film Festival in September, then hopefully in other festivals around the country thereafter,” Stephanie said. Additionally, she is stepping into new roles and pursuing the creation side, launching her own production company, Pacific Dawn Productions.
Stephanie Stuart’s GigSalad journey
Stephanie has been a GigSalad member for 10 years, booking a wide variety of events as Ms. Marilyn Monroe. Her many glowing reviews make it clear: she knows how to secure bookings and deliver exactly what clients envision. Drawing on her experience and success, she’s shared valuable insights and tips for thriving on GigSalad.
Using GigSalad
GigSalad: How did you first hear about GigSalad, and what made you decide to join?
Stephanie Stuart: I heard about GigSalad in 2014, shortly after I started doing Marilyn professionally. I heard it was a wonderful way for clients to search for vendors and an easy way to gain visibility. I figured it would be much better than relying on word of mouth alone, and I was right. I’m thankful I took the plunge!
GS: What tools or features on GigSalad do you find most helpful?
SS: The interface is so easy to use. I love how simple it is to add photos and videos for clients to see. And I don’t have to worry about contracts on my end or extraneous parts to the event — it’s all right there, and I am protected in case anyone is shady or not upholding what they originally requested. The GigSalad customer service is top-notch, too. I’ve always been able to speak with a live person, and my interactions have been 100% positive. I can’t say enough good things about GigSalad. It’s opened so many doors for me.
😄 Discover methods for booking more events: 12 Proven Strategies for How to Book More Gigs
Client communication
GS: You have excellent, high-quality videos on your profile. How do you keep your promo materials fresh and engaging? Has this helped you land bookings?
SS: Thank you! I edited them myself! I try to do a mix of actual event footage with commercials/film roles, then have a personalized touch like I’m talking to the audience. As I do more projects, I try to incorporate those parts into my overall reel and update as needed. I believe there is something intriguing in actually greeting the audience in the videos, then showing them what they can expect, what caliber of talent they’re booking, and that I genuinely love what I do. If you love what you do, people will be drawn in.
GS: You’ve earned glowing reviews from all kinds of events! How do you work with clients to make sure your performance fits their vision?
SS: My favorite thing when working with clients is to personalize their event as much as possible. I love it when I can enmesh their experiences into Marilyn’s history and even act like we’ve known each other all along. Especially when I’m building shows for them, I have a phone call with the client, gather fun facts, inside jokes, nicknames, and so on, and incorporate them into whatever I do.
Whether it’s a simple singing telegram or a full show with meet-and-greets, I try to make them feel like they are the stars and they’re my favorite costar. I work closely with my clients and understand that each event is an opportunity to make someone’s day, or even their year. Events are a ton of work, so I am happy to do my part to make it as smooth-sailing as possible.
🗣️ Learn more communication tips: How to Handle Clients Who Have Never Booked Before
Words of wisdom
GS: What’s something you wish you’d known when you started taking gigs as an impersonator?
SS: Get the full scope of the event and my duties ahead of time. The cornerstone of my performance is to portray Marilyn with dignity and integrity. She was an actual person, so that’s my duty to ensure she’s never portrayed in a negative light. There have been a few times when I agreed to something, only to discover later what was actually being asked.
This has ranged from a monologue with completely inaccurate history, to a music video that wanted her to be cursing and committing gun violence. I vehemently backed out of these and received pushback. I learned that if it feels awkward or uncomfortable, then it will still be that way the day of the event, so save yourself a headache and anxiety.
GS: What’s your best advice for new performers just getting started on GigSalad?
SS: Know your worth and lean into community. We all gotta pay our dues, so to speak. I took gigs for any amount and duration when I was first starting, even without breaks. As I grew, I realized what kind of talent I bring and the type of experience worthwhile for clients — and it has to be worthwhile for me, too. I have my voice and know it’s imperative to advocate for myself.
Secondly, I will not book every gig, and that’s ok. Have a couple of people that you would recommend. Two of my best friends do the same work, and we fully support each other. If one of us can’t do a gig, we pass it to each other. We are empowered women empowering women in a field that might tell us otherwise, and it’s paid off tenfold. So, find your people who will have your back. At some point, you will need them and they will need you, too.
✌️ Have a themed gig? Read this: How to Thrive and Impress at Themed Events
🌟 Looking for more inspiration and tips? Check out last month’s talent spotlight with Stand-Up Comedian Zac Maas!
Stephanie Stuart has come a long way from school theatre productions to dazzling audiences as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, actor, and producer in Hollywood. We’re grateful she took the time to share her journey with us and can’t wait to see where her talent leads her next! ✨🎬
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.