Esther Williams: The Eternal Mermaid of Hollywood

In 1952, during the making of The Million Dollar Mermaid, Williams faced challenges not with the script but with the uncomfortable costume meant for underwater scenes. Despite her success in revolutionizing swimwear, her on-set attire caused considerable discomfort.

Decked out in a costume adorned with 50,000 gold sequins, Williams struggled to perform in this heavy attire, especially in water. Compounding her discomfort was a rigid aluminum crown before she was asked to undertake a daunting task.