Smashs Karen VS Ivy Who is the Definitive Marilyn

Smash’s Karen VS Ivy: Who is the Definitive Marilyn

Welcome to MsMojo, and in today’s installment of versus we’re settling the ultimate debate: Who would’ve made the better Marilyn Monroe in “Bombshell”— “Smash's” Karen Cartwright or Ivy Lynn?

Round 1: Connection with Co-Stars

Karen is the fresh-faced newcomer, still full of hope and untouched by Broadway’s brutal grind. Sure, people mock her naivety, but that’s part of what makes her so easy to love—she’s kind, effortlessly likable, and wins people over fast. Unlike Ivy’s big, show-stopping presence, Karen’s charm is quieter and more natural. Yet she still totally holds her own. She faces everything from intense rivalries to messy romantic drama to high-stakes creative clashes, and she never loses that easygoing, adaptable energy. People underestimate her, but that’s their mistake. Karen’s got that raw, unshaped potential that makes her feel like a true rising star.


Ivy may be the daughter of a Broadway star, but she’s not reaped the benefits of nepotism, having spent forever in the ensemble. So when she finally gets a shot at the spotlight, she clings to it for dear life, no matter who she has to shove aside. She’s got her theater-world circle, but her cutthroat ambition definitely burns some bridges. And for all her experience, she still takes criticism personally. It takes her hitting near rock bottom to realize that she’d catch more flies with honey than vinegar… though that doesn’t last. Ivy’s a star, but she’s also her own worst enemy.


Winner: Karen

Round 2: Looks & Style

If you’ve ever seen early photos of pre-fame Marilyn—aka Norma Jeane—you’ll know she was a natural brunette, just like Karen. Marilyn supposedly went blonde at the suggestion of Blue Book Model Agency’s Emmeline Snively, who told her it would help her get places. In that sense, Karen actually fits the role. No, she doesn’t look like Marilyn, but she has somewhere to build from. Her personal style isn’t exactly screaming bombshell, but her freshness to the biz makes her easy to shape into the part. Thankfully, she doesn’t need a drastic dye job to land the gig—huge shoutout to the wig department for that one!


Just looking at Ivy, you can totally see why Tom thought she’d be perfect to help workshop the role of Marilyn. With her blonde hair and confident curves, she really captures Marilyn’s strength, femininity, and self-assuredness. There’s definitely a resemblance that you can’t miss. Even though we don’t actually see her audition, Ivy styles herself after Monroe—it’s actually pretty close to her own personal style, too. Whenever she dresses up as Marilyn, whether it’s for her callback or on stage, it’s clear that if this was all about looks, Ivy would totally have it in the bag.




Winner: Ivy

# Round 3: Dance Skills

Karen’s still a newbie in the industry, so her dance moves aren’t perfect yet, but a little practice goes a long way. Her callback starts a bit shaky, but by the time they’re ready to show the combo, she’s practically mamboing her way to perfection. She’s no Ivy when it comes to technical skills at first, but Karen pours her heart into every step. While she may initially lack experience, her determination more than makes up for it. Over time, you can see her growing and improving, and it doesn’t take long for her to find her footing in the demanding world of Broadway choreography.

Ivy’s spent about a decade in the ensemble, so it’s no surprise she can dance. Marilyn is a true performer, and Ivy’s technical precision and flawless execution bring that to life. Marilyn’s dance numbers aren’t just about looking pretty—they’re about presence. Ivy masters the tricky choreography while capturing Marilyn's sexy yet sensitive energy. Every move she makes feels intentional, whether she’s doing a slow, sultry number or an upbeat routine. She totally owns it, but it’s the emotional connection she adds to every dance that really makes her stand out. Honestly, once Karen improved her footwork, we’d be hard-pressed to pick between them.


Winner: Tie

#Round 4: Stage Presence

It’s not like Marilyn was born a star; she had to climb her way up from the bottom, just like Karen. They both share that innocence and sweetness. Behind Marilyn’s sex symbol image, there was a woman who just wanted to be loved, and Karen brings that same vulnerability to her performances in a way that's completely relatable. She taps into something that her rival can't quite reach, which reminds us of the human being behind the icon. That genuine sensitivity is what connects her to the role and reminds audiences that there’s so much more to Marilyn than meets the eye.

If we’re talking about the Marilyn Monroe who became a global icon, then yes, of course, Ivy’s the clear choice. Like Marilyn, Ivy owns every stage, ensuring all eyes are on her at all times. She effortlessly commands attention with a confidence that radiates from every move. Sure, Ivy’s got years of technical skill under her belt, but she also knows the importance of nuance. You can tell she’s studied Marilyn’s every move, adding those subtle touches that any fan would recognize. Ivy channels Marilyn’s fierce, magnetic energy that won her legions of fans. If you ask us, Ivy and Karen combined make one multifaceted character!


Winner: Tie

#Round 5: Audience Response

Karen's journey had a lot of promise, and seeing her go from a newcomer to a Broadway star is pretty engaging. But not all audiences warmed up to her as Marilyn. Don't get us wrong—she's super talented! But her lack of experience often seeped through, which made some people skeptical about really seeing her in the role. After all, this character needs to be played by someone with a big personality and history. It makes you wonder how many aspiring principal actors watching the series rolled their eyes at the idea of a total newcomer landing the role over a seasoned veteran. Yeah, they weren't buying it.


Outside of the show’s realm, Ivy’s not exactly the nicest person—well, not at first. We get it, her mom’s tough on her, and she’s been working in a ruthless business for years with little payoff. But does that justify how she treats people around her? We’re gonna say no. However, if we're only focusing on her appeal as Marilyn, there’s no denying she was a fan favorite. She looked the part, had the talent, and, most importantly, she wanted it so badly that she worked relentlessly to bring authenticity to her performance. Say what you will about her, but she’d more than paid her dues.


Winner: Ivy

#Round 6: Vocal Performance

Katharine McPhee’s got a beautiful singing voice, no doubt, but does it have that Marilyn Monroe charm—effortlessly seductive, sweetly fragile, with that warm, breathy tone? Sometimes! McPhee’s voice has its own appeal, effortlessly exuding innocence and allure and packed with emotion. We’d happily listen to her sing anything from “Let Me Be Your Star” to “20th Century Fox Mambo” to “Don’t Forget Me” on repeat. But if we're being honest, we’d probably love her versions of those tracks just as much if she’d dropped them as singles rather than as Marilyn. No wonder she's a hit in “Hit List” later on!


Despite what Derek might think, Ivy has that soft, airy quality—almost a whisper at times—that we’ve come to associate with Marilyn. But thanks to her (and Megan Hilty’s) Broadway background, she also has one incredible belt. Ivy might actually be more of a vocal powerhouse than Marilyn, but she shares that magnetic sound that’s almost hypnotic. She’s got the feel of Marilyn down, but she also brings a playful confidence that adds some much-needed depth. If we owned the “Bombshell” soundtrack, we’d be listening to her belt out those iconic numbers non-stop. Is it any wonder she ends up winning a Tony Award for the role?

Winner: Ivy

#Round 7: Overall Star Power

When we first meet Karen, she’s got plenty of talent but is a little short on star power. That’s exactly why we love her journey. Sure, it’s not always the most realistic, but her rise-from-nowhere narrative is one many of us can relate to, and it mirrors Marilyn’s climb to fame. Karen’s arc is compelling as she steps out of Ivy’s shadow and starts carving her own path in the business, eventually leading her to “Hit List.” It’s an injustice that the series got canceled so soon, especially when Karen’s story clearly had so much more to unfold. We were robbed of seeing just how far she would go.

Ivy’s got star power in spades, and she barely needs to break a sweat for it. It’s in her bones. Her voice, her confidence, her charisma—they all work together in a way that makes everything she does effortless. It doesn’t hurt that she was raised by a leading lady, so she’s had a front seat to the workings of the biz from early on. Like Marilyn, when she takes on a role, she totally immerses herself in it. She couldn’t have an easier time lighting up the stage since that star power is practically written into her DNA. And believe us, she was born for the spotlight.

Winner: Ivy


Our overall winner today: Ivy




Who’s your ultimate Marilyn? Tell us why she’s your star in the comments