Critics Call Out Wardrobe and Hair Flaws in New ‘American Love Story’ Preview

18 June 2025

Photo : Instagram / ryanmurphyproductions

Fans of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy have responded with disappointment to the first images released from Ryan Murphy's forthcoming FX anthology series “American Love Story,” focusing on her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. Scheduled to debut on FX on Hulu around Valentine’s Day 2026, the series promises an intimate look at one of the most celebrated couples of the 1990s.

The initial footage, shared by Murphy on June 14 via Instagram as “camera test” stills, spotlights Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly as Carolyn and JFK Jr. Murphy revealed that over a thousand actors were auditioned for each role before selecting Pidgeon and Kelly. Filming has already begun in New York City.

Despite this, the styling choices have already drawn criticism. Many viewers and fashion experts took issue with Pidgeon’s portrayal of Bessette, noting that her wardrobe veers toward contemporary fast-fashion rather than authentically reflecting Carolyn’s minimalist, tailored aesthetic. Fans pointed to several elements, the hair color, cut of her outfits, and missing signature accessories that failed to capture the understated elegance that made Bessette a 1990s style icon

Particularly contentious was Pidgeon’s blonde hair, which deviated from Bessette’s iconic toffee-blonde tones. Hair colorist Brad Johns, who curated Carolyn’s look in the ’90s using chunked highlights criticized the show’s styling, calling the ashy blonde “totally wrong” and more fitting for 2024 than the mid-1990s.

Johns explained that his technique involved warm, chunky highlights to achieve a natural, beach-lit glow. He even offered to connect the production team with his former protégé to correct Pidgeon’s hair color and better reflect Carolyn’s original aesthetic.

Social media was quick to echo these concerns. On Instagram, one critic urged, “Back to the drawing board I beg,” while another succinctly rated the duo: “JFK 10/10 CBK –3000/10,” referring to Pidgeon’s portrayal. Comments continued to highlight issues with hair color, wardrobe authenticity, and lack of signature accessories like Bessette’s tortoiseshell headband and fuller Birkin bag.

Fashion insiders also weighed in. On Instagram, stylist Erica Cloud simply stated, “All of this is a no,” while Erin Noël wrote, “Carolyn is a style icon and her wardrobe deserves the budget to support this, please make sure it’s perfect!”. Lauren Santo Domingo, founder of Moda Operandi, added bluntly, “sorry but the wardrobe is wrong”

Additional criticism came from Betches, which commented that the early look “looks like fast fashion business casual from the local mall” and is “not giving old-money”. The critique focused on the overall lack of polish, substituting neatly tailored, archival pieces for budget-driven imitations of ’90s high-end style.

Despite the backlash, some voices defended the casting. A few fans praised Kelly’s resemblance to JFK Jr. and even Sarah Pidgeon’s embodiment of the ’90s fashion figure. Moreover, the series has already enlisted a notable supporting cast, including Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy, Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, Sydney Lemmon as Lauren Bessette, and Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein.

As the debate over authenticity versus dramatization intensifies, anticipation grows. The Kennedy family itself has expressed concerns about how their legacy will be depicted, emphasizing that any profits should go to the Kennedy Library. For fans and critics alike, the stakes are high: faithful recreation of this elite style era and digital image matters deeply.

Ultimately, viewers will have to wait until early 2026 to judge for themselves whether “American Love Story” captures both the romance and the aesthetic subtleties that made Carolyn Bessette iconic. Whether the production team adjusts its approach in response to the feedback remains to be seen.