Daryl Hannah criticises portrayal in 'Love Story' about John F Kennedy Jr in New York Times essay
Photo: Variety
Actor Daryl Hannah has criticised her portrayal in the television series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette in an essay published in The New York Times, saying the depiction of her in the show is inaccurate.
Hannah, 65, had a long-term relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. before he later married Carolyn Bessette.
The nine-episode series, the first instalment of Ryan Murphy’s Love Story anthology, depicts Kennedy’s on-and-off relationship with Hannah before his relationship with Bessette. In the show, Hannah is portrayed by actor Dree Hemingway.
In her essay, Hannah said the character presented in the series does not reflect her real life or behaviour. “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. The actions and behaviours attributed to me are untrue.”
She also criticised how the character was depicted, writing that the series portrays her as “irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate”.
Hannah disputed several scenes shown in the programme, including one depicting a cocaine-fuelled party involving her friends and a Kennedy family heirloom.
“I have never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties,” she wrote. “I have never pressured anyone into marriage. I have never desecrated any family heirloom or intruded upon anyone’s private memorial.”
She added that other moments portrayed in the series were also incorrect. “I have never planted any story in the press. I never compared Jacqueline Onassis’ death to a dog’s. It’s appalling to me that I even have to defend myself against a television show.”
Hannah said she had largely avoided addressing stories about her private life in the past. “My silence should not be mistaken for agreement with lies.”
Hannah and Kennedy first met in the early 1980s and dated on and off for more than five years before ending their relationship in 1994. Kennedy married Carolyn Bessette in 1996.