By Daniel Arkin and Diana Dasrath -
NBC News
The organization that manages the legacy of actress Marilyn Monroe has come out in defense of the Cuban-Spanish interpreter Ana de Armas, who has been criticized for her Hispanic accent when she played the movie legend in the Netflix biopic
Blonde
.
"It's exciting to see all the different portrayals by celebrities and actors, from Kim Kardashian to Michelle Williams and now Ana de Armas," said Nick Woodhouse, president and chief
marketing
officer of Authentic Brands Group.
"There are no rules when it comes to how an artist can honor her legacy," he added, "we welcome new interpretations of Marilyn that pay homage to her iconic star strength, beauty and humanity, and draw her into relevant cultural conversations." .
Kardashian wore the dress that Monroe wore when she sang Happy Birthday, Mr. President
to John F. Kennedy
to the Met Gala in May .
Williams played Monroe in 2011
's My Week with Marilyn
, which earned her an Academy Award nomination.
"Marilyn Monroe is a singular Hollywood and pop culture icon that transcends generations and history," said Marc Rosen, president of entertainment for Authentic Brand Groups.
"Any actress who steps into that role knows she has some very big shoes to fill," she added.
“Based on the trailer alone, it sounds like Ana was a great choice as she captures Marilyn's glamour, humanity and vulnerability,” she concluded.
[Was Marilyn Monroe's dress ruined? Ripley's Museum denies Kim Kardashian damaged garment]
The Blonde
trailer
premiered last week, drawing praise and criticism online.
Some criticized in social networks that De Armas does not look like Marilyn Monroe, in addition to her accent.
Blonde
, which opens next Monday, is an adaptation of a novel of the same title by author Joyce Carol Oates.
The film was largely shot in black and white and was directed by Andrew Dominik, author of the dramas
Chopper
and
Killing Them Softly
.
Portrait of Marilyn Monroe painted by Andy Warhol is sold for $195 million
May 10, 202200:47
De Armas, who acted in
Knives Out
and
No Time to Die
, revealed that he spent nearly a year working on his accent for
Blonde
.
"It took me nine months of training and practice and some ADR" (dialogue dubbing), he told The Times of London.
"It was a great torture, very exhausting," he said.