The highly anticipated Ryan Murphy anthology series, American Love Story, focusing on the iconic romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, generated immediate buzz following the release of its initial teaser images. While excitement is high, one particular detail in the photos of actress Sarah Pidgeon portraying Bessette Kennedy sparked significant online debate: her hair color.
Some viewers noted the color appeared surprisingly bright, even described by some as “almost Gwen Stefani–level blonde.” To get to the truth of the matter, we went straight to the expert source: Brad Johns, the legendary hair colorist who personally created and maintained Carolyn Bessette Kennedy‘s signature blonde hue throughout the 1990s.
The Real Expert Weighs In
Surprisingly, Johns was initially unaware the American Love Story series was even happening until shown screenshots of the teaser images. His reaction upon seeing Sarah Pidgeon‘s hair was swift and unequivocal. He declared it “Totally wrong, the opposite of what we were going for,” adding bluntly, “No one would believe that Carolyn in the ’90s would ever have that color from me. It’s too 2024.”
According to Johns, the color depicted in the show’s images lacked the authenticity and nuanced dimension that defined Bessette Kennedy’s actual hair. He believes anyone familiar with 90s fashion and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy‘s meticulously crafted look would immediately spot the inaccuracy. He even half-jokingly remarked that upon seeing the color, Bessette Kennedy would be “swirling in heaven.”
Crafting Carolyn’s Signature Blonde
So, what was the real Carolyn Bessette Kennedy blonde like? Johns detailed the process they “worked really hard to get right.” Starting with her natural light brown base, he would lift it to a specific “toffee” shade. The magic, however, lay in his pioneering “chunking technique.”
Unlike a uniform bleach, Johns strategically placed “highlight chunks.” Specifically, he used three foils around the front of her face and two underneath. This placement was crucial – the under-hair highlights ensured her color looked natural and multi-dimensional, especially for updos like the one she famously wore on her wedding day. Johns’ overall goal for her color was a natural, sun-kissed “child-of-the-beach color,” designed to enhance her already beautiful hair rather than overshadow it.
Why the Show’s Color Missed the Mark
In Johns’ professional opinion, the hair color shown in the American Love Story teasers is “ashed out with her hair only one color,” appearing monochromatic. This stands in stark contrast to the carefully placed, dimensional highlights he created. He observed, “If you show that on TV and fashion people see it, they are going to think, why the fuck is she all ashed out with her hair only one color?” He also expressed regret that the look didn’t appear to be a wig.
Brad Johns’ Influence in the 90s
Johns wasn’t just a colorist; he was the colorist of the era for many in the fashion and social elite. Known for his candid opinions and consistently stunning results, he was dubbed titles like “Golden Boy,” “The Founding Father of Chunking,” and “The Color Czar” in the press. His clientele included supermodels like Kate Moss and Christy Turlington, artists like Cindy Sherman, and countless New York City socialites and fashion insiders – including, of course, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Former clients like Virginia Smith, Vogue’s Global Head of Fashion Network, and stylist Kate Young attest to his skill and influence, noting he “was doing everybody in fashion’s hair” at one point.
An Offer to Get It Right
While Brad Johns has retired from hair coloring to pursue glass art, his passion for getting Bessette Kennedy’s legacy right remains. He still maintains a connection to the world of color through his protégé, Maria Choukairi, who continues to create the signature buttery blondes Johns was known for at Mia Wagner Salon in New York City.
Despite his retirement, Johns is willing to help the American Love Story production achieve historical accuracy. He’s offered to connect the team with Choukairi and provide the exact instructions needed to replicate Carolyn Bessette Kennedy‘s true, dimensional blonde. “I will call Maria and tell her exactly how to get Sarah’s hair just right, just like Carolyn’s,” he stated.
His offer is on the table, driven by a desire to honor the memory of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and ensure her iconic style is portrayed accurately for audiences. For Johns, getting this detail right is “For Carolyn.”
