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.
Fans immediately took to social media to bash the upcoming project, just days after Ryan unveiled a first look with the stars Paul Anthony Kelly – who will play John Jr. – and Sarah Pidgeon – who will play Carolyn.
One of the biggest blunders according to fans involved sneakers, specifically Sarah wearing Converse sneakers for a scene filmed Tuesday in New York City.
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.
When the first look images were shared earlier this week, JFK Jr.’s nephew Jack Schlossberg shared his thoughts, writing to Ryan directly in the comments: ‘HEY RYAN – admiration for John is great but maybe consider DONATING PROFITS TO THE KENNEDY LIBRARY thanks.’
Ryan slammed the criticism of the wardrobe choices in a comment via Variety on Thursday: ‘There were comments like, “I hate that coat, Carolyn would have never worn that. That was just a coat we threw on for color. People are writing “How dare you use the No. 35 Birkin bag? She wore a 40!” Yes we have a 40 but we just threw on a bag from another costume department because that was the sound stage we were on.’
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
He told the outlet that they are choosing vintage pieces for the show to best match the looks, as well as hand-replicating wear and tears other bags.
‘They’re doing to our Carolyn, what they did to the real-life Carolyn. It’s not fair,’ Ryan added to Variety.
For the Tuesday scene, Sarah wore a satin gold hued calf-length skirt, with a black top and and a black leather-style jacket, adding the Converse sneakers.
One person took to X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: ‘Someone quickly say SIKE cos there is no way that this is Caroline Bessette-Kennedy!!!! Ryan Murphy you will start coughing in 3 days.’
The person shared the image and added another comment: ‘Everyone involved in the creation of this show should be deeply embarrassed. CBK in Coverse…. and a pleather blazer…..’
Many just assumed that only her outfit would show and not her shoes, with the actress just wearing the sneakers for comfort.
One person on Tik Tok was convinced that they have her in the look simply for ‘rage bait,’ adding that they are ‘frustrated’ by the filming, adding that ‘this woman’s style is so iconic and is so specific there’s no way this isn’t rage bait.’
Another adding that there are many pictures of Carolyn out and about in the 90s and that they should reference her daily fits to keep her looks accurate.
‘Why is the costume department acting like her daily outfits aren’t heavily documented???’
Carolyn has rarely been pictured wearing sneakers but she did wear them on rare occasions; seen with John F. Kennedy Jr
Another look from Carolyn while out with John Jr in 1996
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
‘It takes a LOT of effort to ruin a minimalist outfit,’ as another said that they would ‘sue Ryan Murphy’ over this.
‘The satin slip skirt from 2017 is personally offending me,’ one fan said, with someone else said ‘that skirt is too modern they could have gone to gap or something.’
‘I genuinely think they interpreted her fashion as “casual” when it was nothing but intentional. Missed the mark,’ one wrote.
‘Why are they not paying someone to literally replicate the outfits SOURCE THE OUTFITS. HELLLOOO. This is an American crime.’
However, one person noted that that Carolyn did wear Converse sneakers.
‘She actually did wear Converse in her early days at CK [Calvin Klein]. The hair and the rest of that outfit are what’s an issue here.’
Carolyn did reportedly wear Converse sneakers (also known as Chuck Taylors) when she worked at Calvin Klein, paired with skirts and dresses.
According to her 2024 biography Once Upon a Time The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by Elizabeth Beller, the author wrote: ‘Page 44, Chapter 5, Champagne Supernovas. Spring 1989 to spring 1992. At times when she was not at work, she dressed like a Bloomsbury bohemian in flowing dresses accessorzied with Chuck Taylor’s,’ per WWD.
‘Once she she wore a long, midi Calvin skirt with Chucks on her feet and only a fitted black leather jacket as a shirt.’
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
Carolyn has rarely been pictured wearing sneakers but she did wear them on rare occasions.
The actors were also seen on Wednesday night filming another scene, this time with Sarah wearing heels and a dress.
Earlier this week, Ryan Murphy offered a first glimpse into his upcoming anthology series American Love Story.
The television producer, 59 – who recently created the new show All’s Fair starring Kim Kardashian – shared photos to the Ryan Murphy Productions Instagram account on Friday, as well as a camera test with some of the leading stars.
The series is set to begin airing on FX and streaming on Hulu next year in February 2026.
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.
The American writer penned, ‘HEY RYAN – admiration for John is great but maybe consider DONATING PROFITS TO THE KENNEDY LIBRARY thanks.’
Murphy jumped to the comments to offer his own response to Schlossberg and simply wrote, ‘@jackuno I absolutely will.’
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.
‘We started shooting this week in New York City and can’t wait until you see the romantic and tragic love story between America’s prince, JFK Jr., and fashion icon Carolyn Bessette – out Valentine’s Day week of 2026.’
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
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
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!’
Sarah – who is known for the Amazon Prime Video series The Wilds – could be seen wearing a black turtleneck as well as black trousers and a tan coat.
She slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black pumps and allowed her platinum blonde locks to flow down straight past her shoulders.
Bessette had been a fashion publicist for Calvin Klein and was also known for her classic and minimalistic style.
Paul wore a double-breasted, gray suit which was paired with a white dress shirt and red-patterned tie.
In one image, he sported a pair of shades and also stopped for a photo outdoors while donning a different suit.
Kelly further channeled the late JFK Jr. in a pair of jeans, green shirt and black vest – similar to a past look worn by the attorney.
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.
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.
Two years later, Bessette and Kennedy began dating and their romance was heavily publicized. The pair were often pictured out in NYC together or attending events.
In 1995, Carolyn and John became engaged and secretly tied the knot in a romantic ceremony the following year in September 1996.
The nuptials were held at a small chapel by candlelight at the Georgia Island of Cumberland – with close friends and family in attendance.
A young Jack Schlossberg had notably been the ring bearer during the wedding.
Bessette had worn a silk gown as she said ‘I do’ from designer Narciso Rodriguez. After the nuptials, media attentions towards the couple continued to grow.
On July 16, 1999 – Carolyn, John Jr. and her sister Lauren – passed away after their plane crashed off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.
