Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 19, 2025 · Entertainment

Controversy Strikes: Ryan Murphy's 'American Love Story' Faces Fan Outrage Over JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Portrayal

Ryan Murphy's American Love Story has continued filming American Love Story - an anthology series about the romance of John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette. One of the biggest blunders according to fans involved sneakers, specifically Sarah wearing Converse sneakers for a scene

GET READY FOR THE MOST TALKED-ABOUT TV SERIES OF THE YEAR!

Ryan Murphy's latest masterpiece, American Love Story, is set to capture our hearts and spark controversy with its portrayal of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette's whirlwind romance.

The first look at the anthology series has sent fans into a frenzy, with many taking to social media to express their outrage over Sarah Pidgeon's (who plays Carolyn) outfit choices.

Carolyn has rarely been pictured wearing sneakers but she did wear them on rare occasions; seen with John F. Kennedy Jr

In a shocking move, Sarah wore Converse sneakers for a scene filmed in New York City - and it didn't take long for critics to jump on her style. "Someone quickly say SIKE cos there is no way that this is Caroline Bessette-Kennedy!!!!" wrote one fan.

But here's the thing: Carolyn did wear Converse sneakers during her early days at Calvin Klein, paired with skirts and dresses. In fact, Elizabeth Beller's biography Once Upon a Time The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy reveals that Carolyn often rocked Chucks on rare occasions.

However, it seems like Ryan Murphy didn't quite get the memo. "There were comments like, 'I hate that coat, Carolyn would have never worn that. That was just a coat we threw on for color,'" he told Variety. "Yes we have a 40 [Birkin bag], but we just threw on a bag from another costume department because that was the sound stage we were on."

Another look from Carolyn while out with John Jr in 1996

Ryan also defended his decision to hand-replicate wear and tears on bags, stating that they're choosing vintage pieces to best match Carolyn's iconic style.

But fans aren't buying it. "It takes a LOT of effort to ruin a minimalist outfit," wrote one disgruntled viewer. Another added, "Why is the costume department acting like her daily outfits aren't heavily documented????"

Despite the backlash, Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly (who plays JFK Jr.) are set to star in the series, which will begin airing on FX and streaming on Hulu next year.

And let's not forget about the drama surrounding Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr.'s nephew, who jumped into Ryan Murphy's comments section with a request. "HEY RYAN - admiration for John is great but maybe consider DONATING PROFITS TO THE KENNEDY LIBRARY thanks," he wrote.

Ryan promptly responded, "@jackuno I absolutely will."

As we await the release of American Love Story in February 2026, one thing is certain: this TV series will be the talk of the town. Will you be tuning in?

For more juicy gossip and updates on American Love Story, head to thescholarlynote.com!

Many also criticized Sarah's skirt and leather jacket as well as her hair, with some calling it 'rage bait,' and another apologizing to the late Carolyn

Another inside look on set included magazines with actor Paul as JFK Jr

The actors were also seen on Wednesday night filming another scene, this time with Sarah wearing heels and a dress; Paul and Sarah pictured in NYC on set

The duo looked like spitting images of JFK Jr and Carolyn during their Wednesday night filming

Ryan offered a first glimpse into his upcoming anthology series American Love Story - which will follow the publicized romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette

Paul Kelly has taken on the role of JFK Jr. while Sarah Pidgeon is playing Bessette in the series - which is set to begin airing on FX and streaming on Hulu next year in February 2026; seen in 1999 in Boston

A number of fans jumped to the comment section to share their thoughts on the first look - as well as JFK Jr.'s nephew Jack Schlossberg; Murphy seen in 2019 in NYC

Ryan had uploaded a carousel of images as Kelly and Pidgeon dressed as Kennedy Jr. as well as Bessette

The two stars posed inside a spacious studio as they did a camera test as production officially kicked off this week

'FIRST LOOK! Here are some stills from our LOVE STORY camera test,' the TV writer wrote in the caption of the post

He added, 'I am thrilled to introduce you to Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn and Paul Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr. Over a thousand actors auditioned for each of these roles, and we absolutely found the perfect choices. Congratulations Sarah and Paul!'

She slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black pumps and allowed her platinum blonde locks to flow down straight past her shoulders

Paul wore a double-breasted, gray suit which was paired with a white dress shirt and red-patterned tie

Kelly flashed a smile wearing a tan suit jacket which was paired with dark trousers as well as a pale blue dress shirt

Carolyn and John Jr. - who was the son of late 35th President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy - first crossed paths in 1992, when he was in a relationship with actress Daryl Hannah; Kennedy and Hannah seen in 1993 in Rhode Island

In 1995, Carolyn and John became engaged and secretly tied the knot in a romantic ceremony the following year in September 1996; seen in 1999 in Washington D.C.