They were looking for a redhead to play the part, so I died my hair. I once had a friend who was up for Marilyn Monroe. It was narrowed down to her along with three other girls. “I’m the only natural blonde among the bunch”, she had said, as if that granted her precedence over the girls she was up against.
Marilyn wasn’t a natural blonde so I didn’t see the significance. I guess the casting director didn’t either because my friend did not land the role.

Either way, as I looked in the mirror at my red hair I decided, I’d lie and say it was an inborn trait. Who would know the difference? And more importantly, if I fit the description of what they were looking for who wold really care.