Daryl Hannah slams Love Story portrayal as false and misogynistic

In the series, the character of Daryl is presented as ditzy, with the character of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis viewing her to be a poor fit to date her son. “Popular culture has long elevated certain women by portraying others as rivals, obstacles or villains,” writes Hannah. “Isn’t it textbook misogyny to tear down one woman in order to build up another?” The actor then goes on to fact-check a number of specific elements of her characterization: 

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. I have never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties. I have never pressured anyone into marriage. I have never desecrated any family heirloom or intruded upon anyone’s private memorial. 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.

“When so many people watch a dramatization that uses a real name, real-life consequences follow,” writes Hannah, claiming that she has “received many hostile and even threatening messages from viewers who seem to believe the portrayal is factual” since Love Story‘s premiere. “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,” she continues. “But my silence should not be mistaken for agreement with lies. Apparently, my discretion makes me a target.” 

Love Story was also recently criticized (again) by Kennedy’s nephew Jack Schlossberg, who told CBS Sunday Morning last weekend, “If you want to know someone who’s never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy,” adding, “The guy knows nothing about what he’s talking about, and he’s making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else’s life.”