Ryan Murphy is back at it with Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, a fresh take on the infamous 1989 double murder of José and Kitty Menendez by their sons. Following the success of his Emmy-winning Jeffrey Dahmer series, Murphy’s latest dives into the darker side of the Menendez brothers that had the entire nation hooked at one point.
One scene in the series that is especially hard to watch and sparked quite the buzz revolves around hair! As viewers sift through all the facts and fiction of the case, many are curious about the truth behind Lyle Menendez’s rumored baldness and his alleged love for hairpieces. So, what’s fact and what’s just a rumor? Here is what is known.
The Horrific Toupee Scene in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Crafting a true crime series is no walk in the park, and Ryan Murphy is discovering just how tricky it can be to balance authenticity with entertainment. While it’s certainly possible to tell a gripping story, he’s facing backlash for some inaccuracies, with many believing the creator is aiming to amp up the drama of an already very dramatic tale.
One particularly horrific detail of the story? Lyle Menendez’s rumored love affair with hairpieces or tupee. In a chilling scene, what was supposed to be the brothers’ final straw moment plays out at the dinner table, and the dramatics of it leave viewers to wonder what’s fact and what’s fiction in this twisted saga.
In what was portrayed to be a very tense moment, 20-year-old Lyle Menendez declares his desire to marry his girlfriend, starting an argument with his parents, José and Kitty, who insist he’s too young. When Lyle points out they married at the same age, Kitty, his mother, in a fit of rage, rips off his hairpiece, exposing his baldness.
Mortified, Lyle rushes to the guesthouse to fix it, followed by a worried Erik, who is concerned for his brother. Following this, the brothers bond, and reveal to each other the abuse they’ve endured from their father and vowing to support one another. This scene becomes a very important turning point leading up to the murders.
Behind the Drama! Separating Fact from Fiction in the Toupee Scene of the Netflix Series
Though that scene packs a pretty heavy punch, it leaves viewers wondering how it might have played out in real life. The truth is, Lyle Menendez did indeed wear hairpieces. In his testimony, he revealed that just five days before the tragic events, he and his mother had a heated argument about it.
He detailed that the argument with his mother escalated to the point where she was out of control, flailing her arms and screaming. He described how she reached for his hairpiece and ripped it off, detailing the pain of having it torn away without the proper solvent glue, making the incident even more distressing. He said in his testimony (via Court TV),
[My brother] didn’t know I had a hairpiece,–I was completely embarrassed in front of my brother
It was later revealed, that he began losing hair at 14, prompting his father to suggest a toupee, claiming it would boost his success at Princeton. Reports by Vanity Fair indicate he had to shave the top of his head for proper attachment, with his hairpieces valued at over $1,450 each. While he couldn’t wear them in jail, he was allowed to sport the toupee during court appearances, leading to stark contrasts in his mugshots.
In reality, while the Netflix series portrays Lyle Menendez as nearly bald, the testimony suggests he was experiencing thinning rather than being completely bald like the show depicted.
The numerous theories, conspiracies, and rumors swirling around the case make it challenging to present the truth to the public in a clear and honest way. Ryan Murphy is facing backlash for his creative interpretations, yet this will undoubtedly remain one of the most chilling and captivating cases in true crime history. Currently, both brothers are serving life without the possibility of parole at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story is streaming on Netflix.
