Ryan Murphy’s new anthology spin-off American Love Story is stirring up attention well ahead of its release—not for its plot, but for a detail as specific as hair color.
The series, based on the real-life romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and publicist Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, stars Paul Kelly as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette-Kennedy. Known for his work on American Horror Story, Murphy’s decision to focus on love instead of horror already surprised fans. Now, a new concern has emerged: authenticity.
In an exclusive interview with Vogue, Carolyn’s longtime colorist Brad Johns expressed disapproval of Pidgeon’s on-screen transformation. The actress, known for her brunette roles in The Wilds and the Broadway hit Stereophonic, appears in the series with striking white-blond hair—a departure from Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic look.
“No one would believe that Carolyn in the ’90s would ever have that color from me,” Johns told Vogue. “It’s too 2024.” He explained that Bessette-Kennedy’s natural brown hair was lightened to a soft, beachy blonde using his signature “chunking” technique.
“I added highlight chunks—three foils around the front of her face and two underneath for when she wore her hair up,” Johns said. The goal, he added, was a youthful, sun-kissed look. The issue with Pidgeon’s current style, he claimed, is that it lacks depth and dimension.
“She’s all ashed out with one flat color. It’s totally wrong—the opposite of what we were going for,” he said, joking that Bessette-Kennedy would be “swirling in heaven” over the change.
The criticism reflects a broader concern about accuracy in biographical storytelling, especially when portraying a public figure remembered for her iconic style. With American Love Story under growing scrutiny, fans will be watching closely—not just for the drama, but for the details.
