Naomi Watts joined Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon at the glitzy premiere of their new series, Love Story, about John F. Kennedy Jr.’s and Carolyn Bessette’s tragic romance.
Watts, 57, who plays the iconic Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis — mother of JFK Jr. — in the FX show, looked glamorous as she arrived at the event, held at Carnegie Hall in New York on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Pidgeon and Kelly — who depict the beloved couple tragically killed in a 1999 plane crash — showed off their undeniable chemistry during their first-ever red carpet outing.
The cast looked in good spirits while posing together, seemingly brushing off previous harsh criticism regarding the show’s wardrobe.
Watts stunned in a striking off-the-shoulder black Balenciaga gown with a flowing silhouette.
The gown featured a high neckline with a sparkling silver collar that resembled like a statement necklace.
Naomi Watts joined Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon at the glitzy premiere of their new series Love Story, which follows John F. Kennedy Jr.’s and Carolyn Bessette’s tragic romance
The show depicts the beloved American couple tragically killed in a 1999 plane crash; The late couple pictured in 1997
The actress completed the ensemble with sophisticated opera-length white leather gloves, which were a clear nod to fashion icon and former First Lady Jackie O.
Jackie was a writer, book editor, and socialite who served as the first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, as the wife of President John F. Kennedy.
After the assassination of JFK in 1963, she remarried the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in October 1968. They divorced in 1975.
Jackie died in 1994 at the age of 64 in New York City.
Meanwhile Pidgeon looked chic in an Art Deco-inspired Chanel dress with a plunging neckline.
It featured a mint feather bottom and a black silk bow.
She wore her long blonde tresses in a straight style, similarly to Carolyn.
Paul cut a dapper figure in a black Dior suit with a white button-up underneath.
The Ryan Murphy series is inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s book Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and will explore their undeniable chemistry, whirlwind courtship and high-profile marriage over nine episodes.
The series promises to capture the spark between the late son of President Kennedy and his wife, as they navigate love under the intense glare of the public eye.
Watts who plays the iconic Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis — mother of JFK Jr. — in the FX show, looked glamorous as she arrived at the event, held at Carnegie Hall in New York on Tuesday
The actress wore sophisticated opera-length white gloves, which were a clear nod to fashion icon Jackie O; (R) The former First Lady seen wearing white gloves in Washington, D.C in 1963
She stunned in a striking off-the-shoulder black Balenciaga gown with a flowing silhouette
Meanwhile, Pidgeon and Kelly showed off their undeniable chemistry during their first-ever red carpet outing
Pidgeon channeled the beautiful Carolyn, who worked for Calvin Klein before her marriage to JFK Jr. in 1996; (R) Carolyn pictured in 1999
The actress wore her long blonde tresses in a straight style, similarly to Carolyn
Kelly faced a daunting task in stepping into the role, as JFK Jr. was arguably the most famous heartthrob of his era; (R) JFK Jr. pictured in 1997
Pidgeon looked chic in an Art Deco-inspired Chanel dress with a plunging neckline
Carolyn was just 33 years old, and JFK Jr. just 38, when the light plane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Martha’s Vineyard
The film is Kelly’s first major Hollywood role
Kelly cut a dapper figure in a black Dior suit with a white button-up underneath
The cast looked in good spirits while posing together, seemingly brushing off previous harsh criticism regarding the show’s wardrobe
Their romance captivated the nation, as JFK Jr. was the only son of the late President.
After their secret 1996 wedding, Carolyn remained a figure of intense fascination and mystery, never giving an interview before the pair died in a plane crash near Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts in 1999.
Also at the event was Grace Gummer, who wore a racy black tuxedo-inspired dress with nothing underneath. She was joined by husband Mark Ronson.
She stars as JFK Jr.’s sister Caroline Kennedy.
Sydney Lemmon dazzled in a shimmer semi-sheer black dress, which she paired with open-toe heels.
She stars as Carolyn’s sister Lauren Bessette.
Dree Hemingway wowed in a silky red look. She plays JFK Jr.’s ex-girlfriend Daryl Hannah.
Martha Stewart made an appearance as well, looking chic in a burgundy pantsuit and plaid coat.
Alessandro Nivola — who plays designer Calvin Klein — was joined by son Sam Nivola on the red carpet.
Louisa Jacobson wowed in a skintight button-up black dress.
Also at the event was Grace Gummer, who wore a racy black tuxedo-inspired dress with nothing underneath. She stars as JFK Jr.’s sister Caroline Kennedy
She was joined by husband Mark Ronson
Sydney Lemmon dazzled in a shimmer semi-sheer black dress, which she paired with open-toe heels. She stars as Carolyn’s sister Lauren Bessette
Martha Stewart made an appearance as well, looking chic in a burgundy pantsuit and plaid coat
Dree Hemingway wowed in a silky red look. She plays JFK Jr.’s ex-girlfriend Daryl Hannah
Louisa Jacobson wowed in a skintight button-up black dress
Alessandro Nivola — who plays designer Calvin Klein — was joined by son Sam Nivola on the red carpet
Ann Dexter-Jones rocked a colorful look
The cast happily posed together
The show has already had plenty of drama surrounding it.
Early on-set photos of Pidgeon as Carolyn sparked intense critique: her wardrobe looked ‘off the rack’, the iconic Birkin bag was the wrong size (a 35 instead of her signature 40) and even the hair wasn’t quite right.
Fans did not hold back with savage comments about how ‘horrible’ Pidgeon was styled as Carolyn, who worked for Calvin Klein before her marriage to JFK Jr. in 1996.
Carolyn’s own colorist, Brad Johns, bashed the production as well, adding his late client would be ‘swirling in heaven’ when she sees the look.
Johns noted that the on-screen version was ‘too 2024′ and lacked the buttery tones that defined her signature look. For a series about one of the 90s’ ultimate It-girls, this was a problem.
Murphy addressed the backlash, clarifying the photos were just test shots and not the final wardrobe.
While promoting her I Know What You Did Last Summer remake with E! News last year, Pidgeon offered a terse response to the haters.
‘I can’t wait for them to see it!’ she said.
She added, ‘We’re just getting started. It’s been so exciting. I feel very honored to take on this role and learn about such an incredible woman who’s endured for close to 25 years now.’
Love Story kicks off with a three-episode premiere on February 12 via FX and Hulu.
The nine-part limited series will then shift to a weekly schedule, with new episodes dropping every Thursday.
Love Story kicks off with a three-episode premiere on February 12 via FX and Hulu
Carolyn was just 33 years old, and JFK Jr. just 38, when the light plane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Martha’s Vineyard. Carolyn’s older sister Lauren also died in the tragic crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the probable cause of the crash was: ‘The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were haze and the dark night.’
After a five-day search, the wreckage was discovered in the late afternoon of July 21.
The bodies were recovered from the ocean floor by Navy divers and taken by motorcade to the county medical examiner’s office, where autopsies revealed that the crash victims had died upon impact.
