Kim Kardashian said people 'didn't know' who Marilyn Monroe was before she wore her dress at the Met Gala

The reality TV star, Kim Kardashian made a bold statement about the one and only Marilyn Monroe after wearing her infamous 'Happy Birthday Mr President' dress.

She cause quite the stir after turning up to the Met Gala in the exact dress Monroe had to be stitched into during her sultry performance to John F. Kennedy in 1962 on his birthday.

Not only was the Kardashian sister criticised for losing 16 pounds in just three weeks, she was also slammed for allegedly ruining the dress.

It has long been touted that she damaged the dress, which resulted in fraying and beading falling off the iconic dress.

But what caused the biggest issue was Kim revealing that some people didn't know who Monroe was before she wore the dress.

Kim Kardashian explained how people didn't know who the icon was before the dress was worn at the Met Gala (WWD / Contributor / Getty)

Speaking on the Today Show, host Savannah told Kardashian: "We were just talking, you said you were shocked on TikTok, some people don't even know who Marilyn Monroe was."

Kardashian replied: "That was the most shocking thing to me and that's why I was so happy to at least have that opportunity and that Ripley's gave me the opportunity to share this moment so that it could live on."

Monroe famously wore the tight dress at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962, just three months before her death that year, which was ruled as an overdose.

Kim added: "I respect her and I understand how much this dress means to American history. With the theme being American, I thought what is more American than Marilyn Monroe singing 'Happy Birthday' to the president of the United States."

The beauty guru continued: "It was such a process.

"I showed up to the red carpet in a robe and slippers.

"I put the dress on on the bottom of the carpet, went up the stairs, I probably had it on for four minutes and then I changed right at the top of the stairs."

Kim also claimed that the dress remains undamaged, despite previous reports.

She said: "No. [Ripley's and I] worked together so well.

Monroe sang to John F. Kennedy in 1962 (Bettmann / Contributor / Getty)

"There was handlers and gloves that put it on me."

The star previously told Vogue that she had to lose 16 pounds (1.14 stone), with the 41-year-old claiming she 'would wear a sauna suit twice a day, run on the treadmill, completely cut out all sugar and all carbs, and just eat the cleanest veggies and protein'.

However, now addressing the criticism, Kim added: "I'm not trying to lose any more weight but I have more energy than ever. I cut out so much sugar, a lot of junk food I was eating.

"I just completely changed my lifestyle.".