Jack Schlossberg, nephew of the late John F. Kennedy Jr., has publicly criticised Ryan Murphy's forthcoming anthology series American Love Story, which will chronicle the relationship and deaths of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. In an Instagram video, Schlossberg stated that his family was neither consulted nor involved in the production, and expressed dismay at what he called 'profiting off' the tragedy in a 'grotesque way'.
The first season, expected to premiere around Valentine's Day 2026, stars Paul Kelly as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette, who died alongside Bessette's sister Lauren in a 1999 plane crash. The cast also includes Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy, Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein, Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, and Sydney Lemmon as Lauren Bessette.
Schlossberg noted that under New York state law, the right to privacy does not extend after death, and that as a public figure, JFK Jr.'s image and likeness are not protected. He urged the show's creators to 'take seriously what he stood for' and to donate some profits to the John F. Kennedy Library.
In response, Murphy told Variety that he would donate, adding he enjoys Schlossberg's social media posts. He also addressed criticism of costume choices, defending the production's attention to detail and describing Bessette as a 'religious figure' whose privacy was invaded by paparazzi.
The Independent has contacted FX and Murphy's representative for further comment.
