Hollywood has no shortage of legendary moments, but few are as instantly recognizable or as deliciously gossipy as the infamous photograph from 1957 in which Jayne Mansfield delivers what is now hailed as the most iconic side-eye in entertainment history.
At the time, Marilyn Monroe reigned as the undisputed queen of Hollywood. But at a dinner party hosted by Paramount Pictures in honor of Monroe, another blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield made sure all eyes shifted her way. Wearing a daring, cleavage-baring gown that pushed the limits of 1950s fashion (and public decency), Mansfield sat right beside Monroe and practically stole the spotlight without uttering a word.
The resulting image, in which Monroe glances sidelong at Mansfield’s barely-contained bust with a mix of disdain, amusement, and possibly embarrassment, went viral long before the age of social media. It was printed in newspapers worldwide and has since become a meme-worthy classic, constantly recycled as a symbol of subtle shade and silent judgment.
But here’s the twist: Jayne knew exactly what she was doing.
A Calculated Move in a Glamorous Game
Jayne Mansfield wasn’t just another blonde actress trying to emulate Monroe—she was a savvy self-promoter. By the mid-1950s, she had learned that Hollywood’s spotlight didn’t just shine, it had to be seized. And that night in 1957, she seized it brilliantly.
According to Hollywood insiders and biographers, Mansfield deliberately arrived late, knowing the room would already be filled and Monroe would be seated. She reportedly ensured she was placed beside Monroe and then adjusted her plunging neckline multiple times throughout the evening—just in case the cameras missed it the first time.
Her timing was perfect. The flashbulbs went off. The moment was immortalized.
The Fallout and the Legacy
Though Monroe remained unamused and reportedly furious over the stunt, it didn't damage her career. If anything, it reinforced her place as a classier icon in contrast to Mansfield’s bolder, brasher persona. For Mansfield, the moment solidified her reputation as Hollywood’s provocateur.
Today, the photograph resurfaces time and again on social media, referenced in everything from shade-throwing memes to fashion retrospectives. But few remember the context the strategy behind that unforgettable moment.
More Than Just a Glance
Jayne Mansfield’s side-eye moment is no accident frozen in time. It was a masterclass in image-making, timing, and silent rebellion. While Marilyn may have starred in the evening, it was Jayne who ensured her legacy would live on frame by frame, side-eye by side-eye.
