“Hey, Monica!” That was the shouted remark from a passerby on a chilly New York City street during the winter of 1998. This crude taunt was just one of many Monica Lewinsky-related comments I endured that year.
In my twenties, with long layered black hair, fair skin, and dark lipstick, I was frequently mistaken for Monica Lewinsky throughout 1998. Strangers would approach me in grocery stores and bars, insisting I resembled her. I even had two women trail me in a bookstore, darting behind shelves. When I inquired if they needed assistance, they scrunched their noses and said, “We thought you were that Lewinsky girl.”
Reflecting on my feelings towards what happened to Monica Lewinsky today, I feel sympathy for how her life was unfairly derailed by the media, and anger at how Bill Clinton emerged unscathed while she became a societal punchline. However, my mindset was different back in the late ’90s. At 24, I was insecure and working to establish my post-college self. I was focused on how she appeared. The New York Post referred to her as a “portly pepperpot,” while Maureen Dowd described her as “too tubby to be in the high school ‘in’ crowd.” I didn’t critically examine her portrayal; I took the insults to heart. I didn’t want to be likened to Monica Lewinsky—not because of her notoriety, but because of the insinuation that she was overweight.
Seventeen years after the affair made headlines, I now see both Monica and myself at her age. We were both attractive young women in our own right. While she faced the spotlight and was ridiculed, I was living a largely anonymous life as a writer in a bustling city. If the scandal occurred today, I believe I would view the comparison differently. I would likely be one of those advocating for Monica online, questioning the power dynamics at play and recognizing her as a fellow woman subjected to harsh scrutiny. I wish I had that perspective back when I was 24.
At that time, being mistaken for Monica Lewinsky felt like an insult. Today, if someone said I resembled her, I would wear it as a badge of honor.
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In summary, my experience of being compared to Monica Lewinsky in the ’90s was filled with insecurities and misunderstandings. With time, I’ve gained a new perspective, appreciating the struggles she faced and recognizing the societal pressures we both encountered.