Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 23, 2025 · Entertainment

Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette: Fans Weigh In on New Kennedy Film Look

There is a new movie coming out about the Kennedys. American Love Story will follow JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's whirlwind romance as they became tabloid fodder. Seen in 1999

SCANDALOUS LOVE STORY TAKES FLIGHT: J.F.K. JR. AND CAROLYN BESSETTE-KENNEDY'S ROMANCE TO BE RECREATED ON THE BIG SCREEN

Get ready for a whirlwind romance that will leave you breathless! TheScholarlyNote.com has just dropped the juiciest news about an upcoming movie, American Love Story, which tells the tragic tale of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s (JFK Jr.) and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's doomed love affair.

For those who may not know, JFK Jr., son of the legendary President John F. Kennedy, was once married to the stunningly beautiful Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, a fashion publicist who worked for none other than Calvin Klein himself! The power couple's romance was the stuff of tabloid dreams, with their fairytale wedding on the remote Georgia island of Cumberland Island in 1996.

The couple seen during a night on the town in 1995

But, as we all know, their love story took a dark turn when they tragically passed away in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in 1999. The world was left reeling from the loss of this young, beautiful couple who seemed to have it all.

Fast forward to today, and Hollywood is set to recreate their whirlwind romance on the big screen with Sarah Pidgeon, 29, playing Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. And let's just say, she's got some big shoes to fill!

A sneak peek at Sarah as Carolyn has left fans divided, with some praising her "spot-on" portrayal and others feeling her hair is not blonde enough to capture the essence of this glam queen.

Sarah Pidgeon, 29, is playing Carolyn in the new project

But we're not here to speculate about whether Sarah Pidgeon nailed it or not – we want to dish about the rest of the movie's star-studded cast!

Naomi Watts, 56, has been tapped to play the iconic Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (aka Jackie O), the former First Lady and wife of President John F. Kennedy. And can you believe she sported a brown wig to transform into this style icon? Talk about commitment to her craft!

Meanwhile, Paul Kelly will take on the role of JFK Jr., with his sister Caroline Kennedy being played by none other than Grace Gummer! And if that's not enough, Dree Hemingway, 37, has been cast as JFK Jr.'s ex-girlfriend, Daryl Hannah – talk about a blast from the past!

On Tuesday a new look at Sarah as Carolyn was shared with mixed reviews on if she nailed the look

So, are you ready to get swept up in this scandalous love story? American Love Story is set to premiere in February 2026, and we can't wait to see how it all plays out on the big screen! Stay tuned for more updates from TheScholarlyNote.com!

Some fans on Reddit said she was 'spot on with those big eyes'

Others felt her hair was not 'blonde enough' to play the glam queen of New York

The movie premieres in February 2026. Carolyn and her husband seen in NYC in the '90s

Pidgeon was seen filming on the street in New York City. The star wore a black turtleneck with slacks and a black purse over her shoulder

Her long blonde hair was worn down in a casual style as she had on brown eye makeup and red lipstick on. Her bails were short as she did not appear to have her wedding rings on. The star was coming out of the subway exit in the midtown area of Manhattan

Carolyn was a fashion publicist. She worked for Calvin Klein until her 1996 marriage to JFK Jr. The couple, along with her older sister Lauren, died in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in 1999

Paul Kelly and Pidgeon as JFK Jr and Bessette are seen on the set of Ryan Murphy's American Love Story on June 18 in New York City

Pidgeon seen in another look from the film