There’s been a lot of buzz about Ryan Murphy’s next season of the award-winning anthology, American Crime Story, but there’s one person who definitely isn’t making the series “must-see TV.”
Antonio D’Amico, Gianni Versace’s partner, is not too happy about the way their life together and his partner’s murder are being portrayed on the upcoming series, American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace. The 58-year-old model and fashion designer was not consulted by Ryan Murphy or anyone associated with the production of ACS, but we already know that Ryan has a history of not consulting with the people he portrays on his shows.
Although he’s not seen actual footage from the show, Antonio has taken issue with a paparazzi shot from the set of the series depicting him (as played by Ricky Martin) cradling the body of Versace (played by Edgar Ramirez) while he is dying on the front steps of his Miami mansion. He told The Guardian that the photo was “ridiculous”, adding “Maybe it’s the director’s poetic license, but that is not how I reacted.” He recalls that, at that moment, he “felt as if [his] blood had turned to ice.” When seeing his partner lying in a pool of blood, he said that “At that point, everything went dark. I was pulled away; I didn’t see any more.”
Antonio takes exception to docudramas like American Crime Story and the 1998 movie The Versace Murder, accusing them of not getting the facts straight. He noted “There has been so much written and said about the murder, and thousands of suppositions, but not a trace of reality.”
Another beef the former model has with Murphy’s recounting of the events is that the series portrays iconic fashion designer Versace as living a closeted life, but he says it was quite the contrary. “We lived like a natural couple; there was never a problem. It was the right moment for him to come out in public, but everyone involved in our world knew. He never tried to hide who he was.”
Antonio says that he has no plans to watch the series, and is hoping that everyone can just move on from the tragedy. “Unfortunately Gianni died, unfortunately this guy killed him, unfortunately it happened. But now, let it drop.”
I understand where Antonio is coming from, but the public is still fascinated by this case. I know I am. I do wonder if Ryan Murphy tried to reach out to Antonio or, like Feud, just took a bit of creative license without bothering. At least the actor playing Antonio is worthy of filling those speedos. And, hey, any excuse I can have to post this picture of Ricky Martin is okay by me.
Oh and Ricky’s co-star, Penelope Cruz (who plays Donatella Versace), recently posted a photo from the ACS set of Ricky in makeup. Note I did not say “makeup chair” as he was getting makeup applied to his derrière to cover his tattoo. She captioned the snap, “The view from my chair.” If we all could have such a lovely view from our chairs at work. Sigh.
Photos: WENN.com, Entertainment Weekly
Unfortunately people take creative license all the time. I don’t know if Murphy is going for completely 100% accurate. It’s not a biopic.
And even if everyone in your circle knows that doesn’t mean you weren’t closeted. So I get his point but you are still hiding in some respects.
I would always rather people consult families when they do these projects in general
Even biopics take creative license. Legit documentaries cam have flaws too. It’s hard not to lose some truth in packaging a story for TV or Movies.
Came here to say pretty much the same thing. It’s sort of awful to think about, like you’ll spend a large portion the rest of your life explaining “No, what really happened was….”
That’s a really good point especially, because for him his life isn’t going to stop after the season stops. I can only imagine the talk it’s going to inspire in his circles too poor guy.
Ryan Murphy needs to realize that lots of messy production does not make your work more art!!1! smh
I don’t think you have to be out to the entire world to be out. I don’t think he was closeted but as a public figure, people seem to think you have to declare to the entire world that you are out to be considered out.
That being said, I don’t have an issue with Murphy taking artistic license. That’s the way things go when you are trying to tell a story in film or tv. Some of it is going to be fictionalized. I get why it is painful for D’Amico, though.
While I understand Mr. D’Amico’s point of view he can’t expect the movie industry not to take an interest in Versace’s life and murder. We all want to see this movie because we loved Versace. He was a wonderful designer and a warm human being.
And Ryan Murphy continues to disgust me. If you do a show like this, you should make sure you consult all the major characters who are still living. It must suck so hard to see an important part of your past misrepresented because someone can’t summon the respect to just bloody ask you.
I agree, when you are portraying a real person and they are still alive you should at least consult with them.That irks me.I won’t be watching and I like Ricky.I’m surprised Ricky would agree to do this role and not talk to the person he is portraying.Since he always talking about truth,honesty,authencity,etc.
Yeah, I don’t get that at all. You’d think he’d be eager to talk to someone who was actually closely involved. Artistic license is one thing but this sounds like arrogance and/or carelessness.
Yeah you would think a quick courtesy call wouldn’t be asking too much.
I love Ricky Martin!!!
he is so beautiful
me too 🙂
Me too!
Well , Penelope at her worst looks way better then Donatella ever did at her best.
Ricky is still absolutely handsome, i like the view, too.
Still stupid Not to talk to the People involved and to not clear it.
Gianni Versace was closeted? Yeah, nice try Murphy.
I did not realize that Antonio D’Amico was not consulted. How would any of us feel about someone with “creative license” in telling the story of our beloved?
Outraged, heartsick, and devastated. I think that is a start.
Damn.