Ryan Murphy is committed to satisfying fans of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy with his upcoming series “American Love Story,” despite facing backlash over early costume reveals. After sharing initial images of the show’s stars, Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon, dressed as John F. Kennedy Jr. and Bessette-Kennedy, the fashion community reacted sharply. An article from The Cut criticized the costumes as poor representations of Bessette-Kennedy’s high-fashion aesthetic, likening them to fast-fashion brands and questioning their authenticity.
Murphy expressed surprise at the fervent reactions, stating that Bessette-Kennedy holds a near-iconic status in contemporary culture, and likening her to a religious figure for fans. He clarified that the costumes seen in the initial images were not representative of what will actually be worn in the series, created merely for technical testing for lighting and color. The decision to post these images was partly motivated by a desire to preemptively address potential paparazzi attention.
In response to the criticism, Murphy revealed that he has formed a 10-person “style advisory board” to ensure accuracy and care in the representation of Bessette-Kennedy’s fashion. The production has sourced original pieces from her wardrobe and a replica of her iconic Narciso Rodriguez wedding dress is currently in the works.
He acknowledged that the scrutiny towards their adaptation mirrors the intense media scrutiny faced by Bessette-Kennedy during her life, noting the cruel treatment she endured. Additionally, he took issue with Vogue’s remarks made by Bessette-Kennedy’s former hairstylist, who critiqued the portrayal of her iconic hairstyle without consulting him or understanding the creative decisions made for the television project.
Murphy plans to address the misconceptions created by the initial images by releasing a series of 20 short videos that will showcase Bessette-Kennedy’s style alongside the character portrayal, emphasizing the thoughtful attention to detail by the costume designer Lou Eyrich.
As the premiere date draws near on Valentine’s Day, Murphy aims to keep the focus on a compelling love story while responding to the expectations of both fans and critics with sincerity and commitment to authenticity. Despite the early controversies, there is hope that the series will ultimately pay homage to Bessette-Kennedy’s enduring legacy and resonate positively with viewers.