Daryl Hannah Breaks Her Decades-Long Silence on JFK Jr. in Scathing Essay Blasting

Actress Daryl Hannah has criticized how she's been portrayed in Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette in a bombshell new essay for The New York Times

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NEED TO KNOW

  • Hannah, 65 — who had a long-term relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr., before he ultimately married Carolyn Bessette — has never publicly spoken about her romance with JFK's son

  • "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," she insisted in the piece

Actress Daryl Hannah has forcefully condemned her portrayal inLove Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.

Speaking out in a new scathing new essay written forThe New York Times, Hannah, 65 — who had a long-term relationship withJohn F. Kennedy Jr., before he ultimately marriedCarolyn Bessette— slammed the hit limited series, which is the first installment ofRyan Murphy'sLove Storyanthology.

The nine-episode show depicts how JFK Jr. went from being in an on-again, off-again relationship with actress Hannah (played by Dree Hemingway) tofalling for up-and-coming Calvin Klein associateBessette after they met through her prominent boss.

Credit: Stephen Rose/Getty

Hannah — who has never spoken publicly about her romance with JFK's son — wrote inThe New York Timespiece, "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 behaviors attributed to me are untrue."

Daryl Hannah and JFK Jr. in 1994.Credit: Startraks/Shutterstock

She continued, "I have long believed that engaging with distortion often amplifies it. But a recent tragedy-exploiting television series about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette features a character using my name and presents her as me. The choice to present her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident."

She went on to refute multiple moments depicted in the show, including a scene showing a cocaine-fueled party with her friends in which the drug has been placed on a priceless 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."

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Darryl HannahCredit: John Roca/NY Daily News Archive via Getty

She continued with a point-by-point rebuttal of several other buzzy scenes in the series. "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. These are not creative embellishments of personality. They are assertions about conduct — and they are false," Hannah added, referencing JFK Jr.'s mother,Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Actress Dree Hemingway (left) as Daryl Hannah (right, in 1999) in 'Love Story'Credit: Eric Liebowitz/FX; J. Vespa/WireImage

Hannah continued inThe New York Timespiece, "I've endured a number of outrageous lies, crappy stories and unflattering characterizations before. I chose not to battle them but to focus on my work and respect my loved ones by keeping my private life private. But my silence should not be mistaken for agreement with lies."

A rep for Murphy didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment on Hannah's essay.

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Kennedy and Hannah first met in the early 1980s while vacationing with their families on the Caribbean island of St. Martin.

They then reconnected in 1988 while both attending the wedding of Kennedy's aunt,Lee Radziwill, to director Herb Ross — who had worked with Hannah onSteel Magnolias.

The pair dated on and off for more than five years, before ending their relationship once and for all in 1994, despite speculation in the early '90s that they were ready to tie the knot.

Hannah toldEntertainment Weeklyback in 1993, "It's getting really annoying. I get asked about it all the time," adding, "This morning I call up my plumber, and even he asks me. Oh, brother, I'm just trying to get my pipes fixed. Why can't people talk about something else?"

During the couple's passionate romance, a neighbor in New York also told PEOPLE back in 1993 how she'd seen Kennedy — tall, dark and shirtless in boxer shorts — dancing with a barefoot Hannah, who had been wearing a short nightgown at the time.

"They were doing this little love play," the onlooker previously said. "He was tickling her, and she'd run away. Then he'd catch her, and they'd dance around. Even if you didn't know who they were, you'd be entranced."

Around two years after his split from Hannah,JFK Jr. married Bessettwith just 40 guests in attendance in a super-secret wedding ceremony. The couple exchanged vows at theFirst African Baptist Churchon Cumberland Island, just off the coast of Georgia, on Sept. 21, 1996.

Meanwhile, Hannah continued her acting career and advocacy work, and eventually marriedNeil Youngin 2018.

Read the original article onPeople

Daryl Hannah Breaks Her Decades-Long Silence on JFK Jr. in Scathing Essay Blasting “Love Story ”as 'Appalling'

Actress Daryl Hannah has criticized how she's been portrayed in Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Besset...
Daisy Edgar-Jones to star in 'Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow' movie – Reports

It looks likeDaisy Edgar-Jonesis rejoining the book-to-movie pipeline.

USA TODAY Daisy Edgar-Jones is set to star in the film adaptation of "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow."

The actress,who catapulted to fame after starring in Hulu's adaptation ofSally Rooney's "Normal People,"will reportedly lead a remake of another buzzy book: "Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow."

Edgar-Jones, 27, is in final talks to star in the Paramount production,DeadlineandVarietyreport. The film will be directed by Siân Heder of "Coda" fame. Heder is also slated to write the screenplay based on drafts from Rooney, Gabrielle Zevin and Mark Bomback, according to the outlets.

USA TODAY has reached out to Edgar-Jones's reps for comment.

Daisy Edgar-Jones at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2025.

"Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow," which became aUSA TODAY bestsellerand a frequent flier on book club lists across the country, follows two childhood friends over the course of three decades. Both parts love story and tragedy, the wildly popular novel chronicles the creative collaboration between Sam Masur and Sadie Green. The pair create a bestselling video game, navigate sweet and sinister romantic connections, and leave much unsaid.

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Edgar-Jones, who will play Green, is no stranger to film adaptations.Beyond "Normal People,"she also starred in "Where the Crawdads Sing," a Netflix movie based on Delia Owens' 2018 coming-of-age murder mystery. The movie was executive produced byReese Witherspoon, whose Hello Sunshine book club helpedfuel the success of the novel.

<p style=Stars are stepping out at the final awards events of the season as the 2026 Oscar race enters its final stretch. The star-studded Actor Awards kicked off the month of March, which will also feature the debut of movies like "The Bride!" and "Project Hail Mary," not to mention the Academy Awards on March 15.

Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of the month so far, starting with, from left, Li Jun Li, Omar Benson Miller, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan, Jack O'Connell, Jayme Lawson, Miles Caton and Lola Kirke posing in the press room during the Actor Awards on March 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Michelle Pfeiffer attends the premiere of "The Madison" in London on March 4, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Patrick J. Adams, left, and Elle Chapman

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Kurt Russell

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" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Erika Alexander, left, and Tracy Morgan attend the New York premiere of "The Fall & Rise of Reggie Dinkins" on March 3, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Steve Carell attends the premiere of "Rooster" in New York on March 3, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Zach Braff

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Nicole Kidman, left, and Jamie Lee Curtis attend the New York premiere of "Scarpetta" on March 3, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Ariana DeBose

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jessie Buckley attends the premiere of "The Bride!" on March 3, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Maggie Gyllenhaal

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jake Gyllenhaal

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Marisa Tomei

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" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Julianne Hough attends the New York premiere of "The Bride!" on March 3, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Michael B. Jordan attends the Actor Awards on March 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Viola Davis

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Amy Madigan

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Timothee Chalamet, left, and his mother Nicole Flender

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Calista Flockhart, left, and Harrison Ford

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Teyana Taylor

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=From left, Emma Stone, Demi Moore, Michelle Williams, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Kate Hudson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Teyana Taylor, left, and Chase Infiniti

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=From left, Angela Kinsey, Jenna Fischer, Mindy Kaling and Ellie Kemper

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Noah Wyle

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Odessa A'zion, left, and Kevin O'Leary

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=From left, Kathryn Hahn, Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz and Chase Sui Wonders

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" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Dave Franco attends a screening of "Hoppers" in London, on March 1, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Bobby Moynihan

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See Nicole Kidman, Michael B. Jordan in the best celebrity photos of March

Stars are stepping out at the final awards events of the season as the 2026 Oscar race enters its final stretch. The star-studded Actor Awards kicked off the month of March, which will also feature the debut of movies like "The Bride!" and "Project Hail Mary," not to mention the Academy Awards on March 15.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of the month so far, starting with, from left, Li Jun Li, Omar Benson Miller, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan, Jack O'Connell, Jayme Lawson, Miles Caton and Lola Kirke posing in the press room during the Actor Awards on March 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Biggest book-to-screenadaptations coming in 2026

As Hollywood grapples with a more volatile consumer market than ever,book-to-movie adaptationshave taken on a new life. The formula has emerged as a relatively reliable gauge of viewership, translating a robust audience already established by an author to the big (or small) screen.

Colleen Hoover and Emily Henry have emerged as some of the major romance names whose novels are getting the Hollywood treatment, while other authors like Susanne Collins are remaining fixtures in the space.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Daisy Edgar-Jones nabs 'Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow' role

Daisy Edgar-Jones to star in 'Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow' movie – Reports

It looks likeDaisy Edgar-Jonesis rejoining the book-to-movie pipeline. The actress,who catapulted to fame af...
Britney Spears was driving 'erratically' at high speeds, police say

More details are being revealed afterBritney Spears' arrest for allegedlydriving under the influence.

USA TODAY

The pop star, who was arrested in Ventura County, California, was seen driving a black BMW 430i "erratically" at high speeds on the freeway before she was booked late Wednesday, March 4, and released the following morning, a California Highway Patrol spokesperson told USA TODAY Friday. Law enforcement also suspects Spears, 44, was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as she was showing "signs of impairment and submitted to a series of field sobriety tests," according to the outlets.

Spears, who was taken into custody around 3 a.m. Thursday, was released shortly after 6 a.m., according to inmate records from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office reviewed by USA TODAY.

<p style=Spears charmed Jay Leno in 2003 with a look at her new tattoo.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Spears performs during her Onyx Hotel tour in 2004.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Spears at the premiere of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in 2005, alongside husband Kevin Federline, whom she wed in 2004.

She was pregnant at the time with their first son, Sean.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Spears and Federline in 2006 at a Grammys party.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Spears arrives at the Los Angeles County Superior courthouse on Jan. 14, 2008, for a hearing regarding visitation rights for her two sons.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Spears and her ex Sam Asghari who played her love interest in the "Slumber Party" video. The pair announced their engagement on Sept. 12, 2021 and legally separated in 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=A promotional shot for the documentary "Framing Britney Spears" from FX and The New York Times, which hit Hulu on Jan. 5, 2021. The doc got fans and celebrities once again talking about the past media treatment of her and the years-long conservatorship that controlled her finances and other important life decisions. As the conservatorship battle continued, more interest in Spears' case launched more documentaries to air from Netflix and CNN. 

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Britney's 13-year, state-imposed guardianship incited a fan-led #FreeBritney movement. Here, supporters gather outside the County Courthouse in Los Angeles during a hearing in her case on June 23, 2021.

She was freed from the conservatorship on Nov. 12, 2021. The star celebrated the judge's decision on Instagram, writing: "I think I'm gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen." She has since spoken out several times on Instagram about alleged mistreatment she suffered under her conservatorship by her family members.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Amid Britney Spears' arrest, a look back at her career in photos

Spears charmed Jay Leno in 2003 with a look at her new tattoo.

Britney Spears arrest 'completely inexcusable,' says rep

In a statement to USA TODAY on Friday, a representative for Spears said the arrest was an "unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable."

"Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law, and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney's life," the rep said. The singer has a court hearing in the case scheduled for May 4.

Britney Spears arrives for the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards Aug. 28, 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

"Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time," Spears' spokesperson added. "Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well-being."

USA TODAY has reached out to the California Highway Patrol for comment.

Spears' arrest comes five years after her conservatorship, overseen by father Jamie Spears, wasterminated by a California judge in November 2021. The singer, who was 39 at the time of the ruling, was placed under the legal arrangement at age 26 in 2008 after suffering a public breakdown the year prior that played out before the paparazzi, who captured her seemingly erratic behavior.

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Britney Spears' ex-husband speaks out:Sam Asghari weighs in on singer's DUI arrest

<p style=Britney Spears is a pop culture icon. See some of the singer and actress' iconic performances and outfits during her nearly three decades in the spotlight, from her "Baby One More Time" debut to her most recent album, "Glory," released in 2016.

Britney Spears performs "I'm a slave 4 U" with a snake draped over her shoulders at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City on Sept. 6, 2001. In 2016, MTV tracked down the Burmese python and the snake's trainer, Mike Hano, who shared his memory of working with the singer. 

"She was afraid of the snake, but she forced herself to handle it, and she did a really great job," Hano said.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Spears, Madonna and Christina Aguilera perform onstage during the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Aug. 28, 2003, in New York City. Madonna planted kisses on her co-performers. As cameras quickly cut away to a reaction shot from Spears' ex Justin Timberlake, her second smooch with Aguilera was largely overlooked.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Spears performs on stage during the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards held at The Palms Hotel and Casino on Sept. 9, 2007, in Las Vegas. Spears debuted a new phase of her career at the VMAs that year, following her public breakdown. Her performance of "Gimme More" and look was highly criticized by the public and media at the time.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See pop icon Britney Spears' memorable performances in photos

Britney Spears is a pop culture icon. See some of the singer and actress' iconic performances and outfits during her nearly three decades in the spotlight, from her "Baby One More Time" debut to her most recent album,"Glory,"released in 2016.Britney Spears performs "I'm a slave 4 U" with a snake draped over her shoulders at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City on Sept. 6, 2001. In 2016,MTV tracked down the Burmese python and the snake's trainer, Mike Hano, who shared his memory of working with the singer."She was afraid of the snake, but she forced herself to handle it, and she did a really great job," Hano said.

Britney Spears' legal troubles following conservatorship

In recent years, Spears has found herself involved in various legal issues.

In the fall of 2023, Spears was reportedly pulled over for speeding and a traffic violation by the California Highway Patrol in two traffic stops, according toABC News.

According to bodycam footage obtained by the network's Los Angeles station KABC, Spears was flagged by authorities in driving incidents on Sept. 10 and Oct. 6. The singer was pulled over for speeding in the September incident and crossing double-yellow traffic lines in October.

Justin Timberlake suesto keep video of DWI arrest private

During both traffic stops, Spears did not have her driver's license, claiming it was left with her security at home, per ABC News.

And in May 2024, police and paramedics were reportedly called to the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles after an incident involving Spears and her boyfriend, according toCNNandTMZ.

Per the outlets, Spears later left the hotel with security without incident.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Why was Britney Spears arrested? Police allege DUI at high speeds

Britney Spears was driving 'erratically' at high speeds, police say

More details are being revealed afterBritney Spears' arrest for allegedlydriving under the influence. Th...

 

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