TV Romance
New Carolyn Bessette & JFK Jr. Looks Revealed After ‘American Love Story’ Backlash (PHOTOS)
American Love Story is the show on everyone’s lips, and we’ve got new photos to analyze. The upcoming FX limited series about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s whirlwind romance sparked fierce backlash when producer Ryan Murphy shared the first look at Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon in character.
Murphy has since spoken out about the criticism surrounding Pidgeon’s look (mainly about the hair color and the wardrobe) in the camera test images. “They’re doing to our Carolyn what they did to the real-life Carolyn,” Murphy told Variety. “It’s not fair.” He revealed that American Love Story will have a 10-person “style advisory board” to help with the accuracy of Carolyn’s iconic wardrobe.
In the midst of the styling controversy, American Love Story continues to film on location in New York City. On June 18, Kelly and Pidgeon were seen filming a date night between JFK. Jr. and Bessette in the East Village. Pidgeon was wearing a black slip dress with a sweatshirt tied around her waist, while Kelly sported a casual look that appears to be inspired by an outfit JFK Jr. wore in 1997.
Scroll down to see more photos of Pidgeon and Kelly as the American Love Story couple. What do you think of their latest looks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
American Love Story, Series Premiere, 2026, FX
American Love Story date night
Pidgeon and Kelly were seen filming a late-night date between Bessette and JFK Jr. on June 18. They were spotted in the East Village on 1st Avenue.
New look for Carolyn Bessette
Following the viral camera test images that featured Pidgeon with platinum blonde hair, it appears the American Love Story team has toned down Bessette’s hair color for the series, opting for a more natural blonde look that matches Bessette’s hair color.
Early JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette date night
American Love Story will chronicle JFK Jr. and Bessette’s relationship from start to finish. Since Pidgeon isn’t sporting Bessette’s sapphire and diamond eternity band, this date night outing is likely before their 1995 engagement.
Carolyn Bessette's date night outfit
For this scene, Pidgeon stepped out in a black silk slip dress and a sweatshirt tied around her waist, a look much more in tune with Bessette’s style. She also topped off her look with black kitten heels.
Sarah Pidgeon & Paul Kelly on set
Paparazzi captured Pidgeon and Kelly filming scenes on June 18. Murphy explained that he released the camera test images ahead of production because he was “trying to protect our actors from being absolutely swarmed by the paparazzi. But that’s on me. I made a mistake, and I’ve learned from it.”
