From excited fans flocking to Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant in the East Village to hair accessories flying off the shelves at C.O. Bigelow, it’s safe to say that Ryan Murphy’s newest series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette has had quite the impact on New Yorkers.
The series follows one of the most iconic couples of the 1990s: John F. Kennedy Jr. (Paul Anthony Kelly), the media scion and publishing heir often dubbed American royalty, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (Sarah Pidgeon), the enigmatic Calvin Klein publicist whose minimalist style continues to influence fashion decades later.
Set against the backdrop of 1990s Manhattan (and filmed right here in our favorite city), the series traces their courtship, marriage, and the pressures of life lived under constant public watch.
In the process, it’s sparked a renewed appreciation for both Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s understated elegance—sleek silhouettes, polished headbands, and minimalist beauty—and John F. Kennedy Jr.’s effortless, all-American polish, prompting endless conversations about enduring style, legacy, and cultural memory both online and off.
And in true New York tradition, the show has also inspired one of the city’s new favorite traditions: a lookalike competition.
This weekend, that fascination comes to life in Washington Square Park, where a John F. Kennedy Jr. lookalike contest will take place on Sunday, March 8th at 1 pm.
Aspiring winners, which the flyer describes as the “biggest hunk,” will compete for a $250 cash prize and, of course, downtown bragging rights.
The Partiful invitation has already raked up over 450 “YES” RSVPS, with more than 200 additional guests interested. Needless to say, the event continues NYC’s recent wave of pop-culture-inspired doppelgänger contests, transforming public spaces into stages for affectionate homage. And it’s not the only one that’s taking place in the near future, as a Bad Bunny lookalike competition is also headed our way.
And, honestly? Even more than just a contest, the gathering reflects an enduring fascination with the Kennedy legacy and a collective yearning for ’90s-era Manhattan glamour. We’re absolutely here for it.
To learn more, see the official invitation.