Daryl Hannah Rips Into New JFK Jr. Series in Blistering Essay
Daryl Hannah, known for her roles in iconic films, has taken a firm stand against the new series depicting her late ex-boyfriend, John F. Kennedy Jr. In a recent essay, she expressed her outrage over the portrayal of her character in “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.”
Published on Friday, Hannah's piece in a prominent publication describes the series as “tragedy-exploiting” and laden with “textbook misogyny.” She specifically criticized how actor Dree Hemingway represents her in the show.
“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,” she asserted. “The actions and behaviors attributed to me are untrue. 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,” she wrote, emphasizing the gravity of the misrepresentation.
Hannah's frustration is palpable as she continues, “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.”
The actress began dating Kennedy in 1989, during a period when she was riding high on the success of films like “Splash” and “Steel Magnolias.” Their relationship was tumultuous and reportedly continued until shortly after the passing of his mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, in 1994. Kennedy later married Carolyn Bessette in 1996, just three years before their tragic deaths in a plane crash.
In her essay, Hannah described her depiction as “irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate,” revealing that she has received numerous hostile messages from viewers who mistakenly 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 stated firmly. “Like any career, doing good work requires an intact reputation. This is why I am choosing to stand up for myself now.”
The series “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” debuted last month on FX and Hulu, marking the beginning of an anticipated anthology series produced by Ryan Murphy, known for his work on popular shows.
Based on Elizabeth Beller’s upcoming book “Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy,” the show features Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as Kennedy and Bessette-Kennedy, respectively.
While critical reception has varied, those connected to the couple have voiced their discontent. Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy’s nephew, harshly criticized the series, giving it “a capital ‘F’ for fiction” during a recent interview.
Schlossberg remarked on Murphy’s lack of understanding regarding the events depicted, stating, “The guy knows nothing about what he’s talking about, and he’s making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else’s life.”
In response to the backlash, Murphy appeared unfazed. He suggested that Schlossberg might not be the best judge of authenticity due to his young age during many of the events portrayed in the series.
“I thought it was an odd choice to be mad about your relative that you really don’t remember,” he commented, indicating his perspective on the criticism.
