TV
Ryan Murphy might be doing a lot right, but Brad John doersn’t think he did Carolyn Bessette’s hair justice. He even offered to step in to help with ‘American Love Story’
Ryan Murphy has told many stories so far. The iconic producer and director has brought fictional horror tales to life and documented the real-life monsters of the world. Now, he’ll be telling a love story. Murphy’s American Love Story, which will focus its first season on John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, began filming in New York City. Not everyone is happy about what they’ve seen in the first look, though. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s colorist has a lot of thoughts.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s colorist speaks out about ‘American Love Story’
Brad Johns, named the Color Czar by Allure, is best known for his work with warm tones, like caramel and copper. Over the years, he worked on stars like Christy Turlington, Jamie King, and Cindy Sherman before giving up color to focus on other forms of art. He also gave Bessette-Kennedy her signature look, and he is dissatisfied with what should be a recreation of his techniques.
After seeing the first look for American Love Story, Johns spoke to Vogue, and he had notes. Johns described Sarah Pidgeon’s depiction of Bessette’s hair as “totally wrong, the opposite of what we were going for.” He criticized the ashy tone, noting that “no one would believe that Carolyn in the ’90s would ever have that color from me.” He pointed out how it’s far too modern, claiming that it’s too “2024” to pass for Bessette-Kennedy’s hair. Johns recalled that “toffee” was the inspiration for Bessette-Kennedy’s hair before her death. Pidgeon’s hair is a much cooler tone.
The famed colorist isn’t just criticizing the production and leaving it at that. He wants to help. While Johns might not be coloring hair at the moment, he’s willing to come out of retirement or send in his protege if it means doing Carolyn Beassette-Kennedy justice.
When does ‘American Love Story’ premiere?
If Ryan Murphy is willing to take notes and make some changes, as Brad Johns suggests, he has time to do so. Filming for the series just began last week in New York City. The cast and crew are still relatively early in their filming process.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Evan Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz)
The series, which will follow John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s romance from inception to their tragic 1999 deaths off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, is set to premiere around Valentine’s Day 2026. The series will premiere on FX and will be available to stream on Hulu. Pidgeon is set to play Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, while Paul Anthony Kelly will take on the role of JFK Jr. Naomi Watts is set to transform into Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
