Daryl Hannah Condemns 'Love Story' Series as 'Tragedy-Exploiting' and Misogynistic
Actress Daryl Hannah, known for her roles in films like "Splash" and "Kill Bill," has issued a forceful condemnation of the new television series "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette." In a scathing essay published in The New York Times on Friday, Hannah described the show as "tragedy-exploiting" and an example of "textbook misogyny," specifically targeting her portrayal by actor Dree Hemingway.
Hannah Denies Series' Claims as False and Defamatory
The character 'Daryl Hannah' portrayed in the series is not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John, Hannah wrote emphatically. She detailed a list of false assertions attributed to her character, stating: "I have never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties. I have never pressured anyone into marriage. I have never desecrated any family heirloom or intruded upon anyone’s private memorial. I have never planted any story in the press. I never compared Jacqueline Onassis’ death to a dog’s."
Hannah expressed dismay at having to defend herself against a fictionalized depiction, arguing that these are not creative liberties but damaging falsehoods about her conduct. "It’s appalling to me that I even have to defend myself against a television show. These are not creative embellishments of personality. They are assertions about conduct — and they are false," she noted.
Background on Hannah's Relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr.
Hannah and John F. Kennedy Jr., the son of former President John F. Kennedy, began dating in 1989 when Hannah was at the peak of her career following hits like "Steel Magnolias." Their on-again, off-again romance lasted until approximately 1994, ending shortly after the death of Kennedy's mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Kennedy later married Carolyn Bessette in 1996; tragically, both died in a private plane crash off Martha's Vineyard in 1999.
In her essay, Hannah described her "Love Story" characterization as "irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate," and revealed she has received hostile and threatening messages from viewers who believe the portrayal is factual. "My professional life is built on compassion and responsibility. Reputation is not about ego; it is about the ability to continue doing the meaningful work I love," she concluded. "Like any career, doing good work requires an intact reputation. This is why I am choosing to stand up for myself now."
Series Details and Broader Criticism
"Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette" premiered last month on FX and Hulu as the first installment of an expected anthology series. Executive-produced by Ryan Murphy, known for "Glee" and "American Horror Story," the show is based on Elizabeth Beller's 2024 book "Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy." It stars Paul Anthony Kelly as Kennedy and Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette-Kennedy.
Reviews have been mixed, but criticism extends beyond Hannah. Kennedy's nephew, Jack Schlossberg, an aspiring New York lawmaker, gave the show "a capital 'F' for fiction" in a "CBS Sunday Morning" interview, calling it "a grotesque display of someone else’s life" and stating Murphy "knows nothing about what he’s talking about."
Murphy has responded to such critiques by suggesting Schlossberg, 33, was too young during the events depicted to vouch for authenticity. On California Gov. Gavin Newsom's podcast, Murphy said, "I thought it was an odd choice to be mad about your relative that you really don’t remember."
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about biographical accuracy and ethics in entertainment, with Hannah's public stance underscoring the personal impact of fictionalized portrayals on real individuals' lives and careers.
