Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Hair Colorist Reacts to ‘American Love Story’ Hair Transformation
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The highly-anticipated release of Ryan Murphy’s new project, ‘American Love Story’, has sparked a wave of opinions regarding the portrayal of its main characters, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The series delves into the love story between John Jr., the son of President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jackie Kennedy, and Carolyn, a well-known fashion publicist. Although details about the series are still under wraps (with a premiere date set for Feb. 14, 2026), one aspect that has garnered significant attention is the costumes.
Fans were quick to voice their thoughts on the recently released photos of actors Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as JFK Jr. and Carolyn, respectively. In particular, there has been much discussion around Pidgeon’s transformation into Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Amidst the buzz, Vogue sought the opinion of Carolyn’s former hair colorist, Brad Johns, regarding the portrayal of her signature blonde hair in the show.
Bonds, who started working with Carolyn in 1996, expressed his views on the authenticity of Pidgeon’s hair color portrayal in the series. He stated, “No one would believe that Carolyn in the ’90s would ever have that color from me. It’s too 2024.” Bonds reminisced about the meticulous process of achieving Carolyn’s golden blonde hair, referred to as his “child-of-the-beach” hue, which required careful precision and technique.
Johns recalled the transformation, mentioning that after taking Carolyn’s hair to a “toffee” shade, he implemented his renowned “chunking” method to highlight her hair. His attention to detail included placing highlight chunks strategically around her face and underneath for versatility when styling. Upon seeing the reimagined version of Carolyn’s hair color, Johns felt that it deviated significantly from their original vision. He quipped, “If you show that on TV and fashion people see it, they are going to think, why the f— is she all ashed out with her hair only one color?”
Despite his critique, Johns also fondly remembered Carolyn, highlighting her beauty and humour. He shared a light-hearted remark, saying, “Carolyn had beautiful hair. She was breathtaking and so hysterical. When she sees that color, she’s going to be swirling in heaven.” While Johns speculated that Pidgeon’s hair in the series might not be a wig, the authenticity of the portrayal has yet to be confirmed.
In addition to her iconic blonde hair, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was known for her effortless and timeless fashion sense. Before tying the knot with JFK Jr. in September 1996, she worked for Calvin Klein, leaving a lasting impact on the world of fashion. Sunita Kumar Nair, author of ‘CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion’, shed light on Carolyn’s style ethos, emphasizing her penchant for logo-less attire as a symbol of her self-assurance and refined taste.
The tragic fate of the couple, who perished in a plane crash on July 16, 1999, along with Carolyn’s sister Lauren Bessette, marked the untimely end of their inspiring love story. As fans eagerly await the premiere of ‘American Love Story’ to witness the portrayal of this iconic couple, the discussions surrounding the authenticity of the characters’ representations continue to resonate within the fashion and entertainment spheres.
The legacy of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy endures through her timeless style and grace, immortalizing her as a fashion icon whose influence transcends generations. As the premiere date of ‘American Love Story’ draws closer, audiences await with bated breath to see how the love story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy unfolds on screen, capturing the essence of a love that left an indelible mark on history.