What does this quote mean? [by Marilyn Monroe]?

Question

"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul."

I think i might have an idea of what it means but i'm not sure

Answer 1

It pretty much means that you infamity is worth a million and a kiss from a celebrity is worth just about anything, but if you weren't famous no one would care.

EX:

If Ryan sheckler kissed you, you would die, but if he wasn't famous it wouldn't even matter it wouldn't be a big deal.

-Hope this helps

Answer 2

I believe it means this:

Hollywood (superficial center of America) cares much more about how a person looks (or kisses, acts, dresses, etc.) than what the person is inside (kind, funny, smart, etc.). Basically: they care about the looks, not the personality.

Answer 3

s*x and material things count for something in Hollywood but spiritual things are judged to have no value whatsoever.

In more classical times, the legends of Faust etc all have the Devil bargaining anything to get hold of your immortal soul. In Hollywood, even the Devil's values are perverted.

Answer 4

In Hollywood you're judged by how you look, and not for who you are. Thats what it means to me anyway.

Answer 5

Hollywood is ruled by the all mighty dollar and nothing else maters

Answer 6

I agree with the first two answers, but to explain it further -- s*x sells, and no one cares about who you really are.  Just be s**y and leave the real personality at home.

(... and who is Ryan Sheckler? xD)

Answer 7

You have to sell out your value system to be accepted in Hollywood.  A kiss certainly isn't worth a $1,000, but your soul certainly is.