From Scandal to Screen: Monica Lewinsky's Mentorship Revives Amanda Knox
EXCLUSIVE: Amanda Knox Opens Up About Her Shocking Reunion with Monica Lewinsky - The Two Scandal-Survivors Team Up for a Thrilling Limited Series
In a shocking twist of fate, two of the most infamous women in modern history have joined forces to create a limited series that's set to shake up the world of true crime. Amanda Knox, the American exchange student who was wrongly accused and convicted of murdering her roommate Meredith Kercher, has revealed that Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern embroiled in the Clinton sex scandal, became her unlikely mentor as she navigated the treacherous waters of rebuilding her life.
The two women first met at a speaking engagement in 2017, just two years after Italy's highest court exonerated Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito of Kercher's murder. According to sources close to Knox, she was "nervously fidgeting" before the event, begging the organizers to let her meet Lewinsky in private.
Lewinsky, known for her wit and sophistication, obliged Knox's request, brewing a pot of tea as they sat down for a heart-to-heart conversation. It was during this intimate chat that Lewinsky shared some valuable advice on reclaiming one's voice and narrative - something that would become a turning point for Knox.
"I was blown away by Monica's kindness and generosity," Knox gushed to The Hollywood Reporter. "She had a lot of advice about reclaiming your voice and your narrative, and it really stuck with me."
The two women's paths converged again when Lewinsky saw Knox's interview with The New York Times, where she shared her desire to tell her story on screen. Lewinsky was so moved by Knox's determination that she jumped on board, helping assemble a dream team of creatives, including This Is Us executive producer K.J. Steinberg and famed producer Warren Littlefield, to bring the limited series, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, to life.
The result is a gripping drama starring Grace Van Patten as Knox, which premiered on Hulu this week. And what a night it was! The 38-year-old exoneree stunned in a lacy white and orange gown, while Lewinsky, 52, opted for a stunning gold number with dangling earrings and her hair pulled back.
But the real magic happened when the two women reunited just hours earlier to discuss the importance of telling their stories on an episode of Knox's popular podcast, Hard Knox. As they sat down together, it was clear that this was more than just a reunion - it was a chance for these two scandal-survivors to heal and find closure.
"I don't think about 'How is this person rebuilding their life?' after the headlines fade," Lewinsky revealed, her voice cracking as she apparently started to tear up. "But I do think it's essential to understand the long tale of trauma - not just for the individual, but for their families."
Lewinsky noted that both of their scandals arose when they were in their 20s, a time when young adults are supposed to be discovering themselves and forging their identities. But instead, they found themselves at the center of a maelstrom, with their reputations shredded and their sense of self-identity ripped apart.
"It's like you're reconfigured and reflected back to yourself as a monster that you never saw yourself as," Lewinsky said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You think you know everything, but it's then taken away from you."
Knox echoed Lewinsky's sentiments, explaining how difficult it was for her to remember that she had value as a human being during those dark days.
"That's why I wanted to tell my story myself," Knox said. "I didn't want some Hollywood gloss-over reality; I wanted something real and messy and authentic."
But the duo didn't stop there. They also aimed to tackle the "anatomy of bias" in storytelling, showcasing how events unfold and are perceived through different people's perspectives.
"It's the way we tell stories and process them in our own minds that is impacted by everything we're bringing to that moment," Lewinsky said. "Every interaction we have with a person is not just a straight interaction - it's colored by the context we carry."
Knox added, "We're all little universes inside ourselves, colliding with each other in complex ways."