Jack Schlossberg, the nephew of John F. Kennedy Jr., has spoken out against the upcoming TV series American Love Story, produced by Ryan Murphy.
The anthology series, which will focus on the romantic relationship and tragic deaths of JFK Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette, has sparked controversy within the Kennedy family, particularly from Schlossberg.
In a video posted to his Instagram Stories on June 19, Schlossberg, the 32-year-old son of JFK Jr.’s sister Caroline Kennedy, expressed his displeasure with the series, saying, “Lately, my news feed has been filled with pictures of my uncle, John F. Kennedy Jr., a great man.
For those wondering whether his family was ever consulted, or has anything to do with the new shows being made about him, the answer is no. And there’s really not much we can do.”
Schlossberg went on to explain that the right to control one’s name, image, and likeness doesn’t survive death in New York state, and as JFK Jr. is considered a public figure, the family has limited recourse.
He further criticized the way the show was being made, saying, “What I don’t think is great is profiting off of it in a grotesque way.” While acknowledging the admiration for his late uncle, Schlossberg felt that the portrayal of his life and death should be done with respect, especially considering the tragedy surrounding their passing.
He also suggested that the profits from such shows should be donated to causes that align with what JFK Jr. stood for during his life.
The series, American Love Story, will focus on JFK Jr. and Bessette’s whirlwind romance, which began in 1992, culminating in their marriage in 1996. Tragically, less than three years later, the couple perished in a plane crash in 1999.
The series stars Paul Kelly as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette, with Naomi Watts portraying Jackie Kennedy, Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, and other notable actors in key roles.
The series is part of Murphy’s ongoing American Story anthology, which includes American Horror Story, American Crime Story, and American Sports Story. A release date for American Love Story has not yet been announced.
In response to viral criticism of the first-look photos of Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette, Murphy defended the portrayal, stating that Bessette’s life under the public eye was reflected in the scrutiny that the photos received.
“They’re doing to our Carolyn, what they did to the real-life Carolyn. It’s not fair,” Murphy said.
