The Rediscovery of JFK JR. and Carolyn Bessette
- anniefrost4
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
How “Love Story” is reviving the iconic couple and the ‘90s aesthetic
By: Annie Frost
It was once impossible to miss John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in the tabloids. Nearly three decades later, the couple is back in the spotlight — love story, tragedy and everything in between.
The Comeback
“Love Story” premiered Feb. 12, 2026 on Hulu and Disney+. It was produced by Ryan Murphy, who’s famous for creating shows including “American Horror Story” and the “Monsters” series. Within days, “Love Story” captivated millions of viewers. Then the critiques began.
Some watchers raved about the show, but it’s unclear if that is because they actually liked it, or if they just enjoyed Paul Anthony Kelly’s portrayal of JFK Jr. We may never know.
However, some, especially Kennedy nephew Jack Schlossberg, said that the show is a “grotesque” display of the couple’s life, and that the family was never consulted in the making of the series. “Love Story” has also been viewed as a romanticized depiction of a relationship that has been deemed toxic and unfaithful.
Either way, the show has reignited a fascination that never completely went away.
Why We’re Locked in Again
The renewed interest in JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette doesn’t just stem from nostalgia, but from the lost art of private love. Before social media turned every relationship into content, and the internet demanded to know every detail of your love life, there was mystery.
At the height of the couple’s fame in the late 1990s, nearly every public appearance of theirs was accompanied by photographers and tabloids dissecting their every move. Magazines, paparazzi and low quality street photos were huge factors in shaping the public’s perception of their relationship, although Kennedy and Bessette rarely spoke on it themselves (love me a stylish, secretive couple).
That same fascination is back and better than ever, only this time it's on TikTok. Oh, how the times have changed.
Edits galore of the couple’s old paparazzi photos and interviews have introduced their story to a completely new generation of viewers. I know. I’ve seen them too. If we're talking about edits, we cannot fail to mention the thousands of videos of Sarah Pridgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly. Thank you editors.
In many ways, this online media obsession mirrors the same one from decades ago. However, this time, we don’t have to eagerly wait for the next tabloid cover to see what the couple has been up to. They are being rediscovered through scrolling and algorithms. To that I say, bring back mystery and tabloids. Please.
The release of “Love Story” comes at the perfect time. With the resurgence of ‘90s style and a push for more celebrity privacy, new life has been given to a relationship that was the blueprint for both.
Carolyn Bessette and the Quiet Luxury Effect
When talking about style resurgence, we have to give credit to the woman who started it. Before “quiet luxury” was an aesthetic, Carolyn Bessette was the blueprint. Prior to her marriage to JFK Jr., Bessette worked in public relations at Calvin Klein. There, she developed the minimalist, ‘90s chic aesthetic that would later define her public image.
Tailored coats, slip dresses, neutral palettes and not a label in sight became Bessette's unofficial uniform. Even decades later, photos of Carolyn strolling the streets of New York are trending online, being used for fashion inspo and TikTok edits alike.
A Relationship Forever Frozen
Part of the everlasting intrigue with the Kennedy story is its tragic end. In July 1999, Kennedy was flying a small plane to Martha’s Vineyard when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing him, Carolyn and her sister Lauren.
The accident stunned the country and immediately transformed the couple’s story into something larger than celebrity gossip. Some put the blame on the infamous “Kennedy Curse” which had taken the lives of JFK Jr’s father and his uncle Robert Kennedy. Regardless, it was no longer something playing out through magazine covers, but a cultural memory.
In many ways, the moment froze the couple in time. They remain forever tied to the late 1990s: a time defined by flashbulbs, headlines and the aura of quiet glamour that surrounded them as a couple.
Why the Story Still Captivates Us
Today, we still can’t seem to get over the Kennedy-Bessette relationship — and it shows. Instead of paparazzi and magazines, we have “Love Story” and TikTok edits to keep the obsession alive. And boy does it work.
There was always something about the two of them; the style, the aura and the luxury that left everyone wanting more. No one could get enough of them, and they still can’t to this day.
To me, that is why their journey is the first installment of “Love Story,” and why their legacy lives on.
Annie Frost is a junior studying Journalism and this is her second semester writing for Rowdy! She just finished watching the latest episode of the show this article is about as she’s writing this sentence. Investigative journalism at its finest ;)