Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is stepping into the role of a TV producer, working with Ryan Murphy on a new series titled “Grotesque,” centered around the relationship of 90’s couple John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
This Wednesday, Schlossberg took to Instagram to express his frustration about the project.
“Lately, my feed has been filled with images of my Uncle John F. Kennedy Jr.,” said the 32-year-old, which you can see in a video related to the show.
“If you’re curious whether the family was consulted on this or if they had any say in the making of the show, the answer is no. There’s not much we can do about it.”
He concluded, “I think my admiration for Uncle John is well-documented, but I don’t think it’s right to exploit that in such a grotesque manner.”
Schlossberg’s sentiments resonate with many fans of the Kennedy couple, who have expressed disappointment over the initial images released for the FX production, suggesting the portrayal misses the mark.
“Isn’t there anyone else who could have portrayed Carolyn?” one Instagram user remarked, discontented with the choice of actor for the role.
Another added, “I just don’t see this actor as JFK Jr. He was stunning, but this guy seems just average.”
Comments continued to pour in, with another critic noting, “She would never wear that outfit.”
One commenter suggested, “I think Ryan Murphy really should take a step back,” to which another replied, echoing the sentiment, “He needs a serious break.”
Despite the backlash, Ryan Murphy, known for hits like “Glee” and “American Horror Stories,” expressed surprise at the negative reception and defended the casting choice, stating that over a thousand actors auditioned for the roles.
“Carolyn Bessett is an iconic figure in her own right, and it’s interesting to see how people react so vehemently,” Murphy mentioned.
He also pointed out that the production is telling the story of someone who loved the world’s most famous man and faced immense challenges as a result.
Murphy further commented on the criticism regarding fashion choices depicted in the show. “Comments were made like, ‘I hate that coat; Carolyn would never wear it.’ It’s not like we designed everything specifically for her,” he explained.
“American Love Story” is set to premiere on FX next Valentine’s Day.
