The actress scored her first Emmy nomination for her role in FX/Hulu’s hit, ‘Love Story’
Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Sarah Pidgeon earned her first Emmy nomination for portraying Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in FX/Hulu’s hit series, Love Story
- “She knew herself so well and spoke up for injustices or when injustices happened,” Pidgeon tells PEOPLE of Bessette-Kennedy
- The actress plans to bring her mom as her date to the Emmys next month
As Sarah Pidgeon enters a new decade, she’s bringing the wisdom she gained portraying Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy with her.
“I’m an all-or-nothing thinker, and I love a clean slate. It feels like a real next chapter of adult life,” the Love Story star, who received her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her portrayal of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife in FX’s hit series, tells PEOPLE exclusively about turning 30 last month.
Pidgeon turned heads with her nuanced, heartbreaking turn as Bessette-Kennedy, and a new wave of fans embraced the late ‘90s It Girl as the show became a cultural phenomenon earlier this year.
“She knew herself so well and spoke up for injustices or when injustices happened. She was strongly opinionated, fiercely loyal, hyper-intelligent, witty and funny and expressed that, and allowed people to feel that,” says Pidgeon.
“I think that’s why she had such a presence 30 years on. There’s so many qualities that she has that I hope to have in the woman I am becoming. I think she had an incredible amount of bravery and stoicism, but at the same time joie de vivre. It was great practice being able to literally and figuratively walk in her shoes.”
While Pidgeon garnered critical acclaim for specific scenes — including an emotionally fraught fight in JFK Jr.’s loft — the star says she’s most proud of her work in episode seven, when Bessette-Kennedy is forced to contend with an unrelenting spotlight.
Credit: FX
“That was part of her story that I was really interested in telling,” says Pidgeon of exploring Bessette-Kennedy’s difficult relationship with being in the public eye. “I think going back to that idea of being her advocate, just giving voice to the potential thoughts she had about that experience because she never went on the record. I was proud of navigating that… and proud to have been trusted to take on the role of Carolyn.”
Since the show’s premiere in February, Pidgeon has also been thrust into the spotlight. But through it all she’s stayed grounded with her close ties to her family, including her sister and mom, who will accompany her to the Emmys.
“I’m so excited my mom’s going to be my date. I can’t wait to get dressed up and hang with her. She and my sister have been my biggest supporters for such a long time,” says Pidgeon, who grew up in Michigan. “The events that I go to, you get dressed up, you’re in a room with interesting people, there’s usually good food, you might get to have some champagne… it’s still so new for me. To be able to experience it with my family, it’s like, ‘Can you believe this? What is going on?’”
Credit: Tommaso Boddi/WWD via Getty
Like Bessette-Kennedy, Pidgeon has become closely watched for her style — and while fans wait to see what she chooses to wear for the big night, one thing is certain.
“Carolyn had such an imprint on not only me, but the world in the ‘90s and onward. I just sort of feel like no matter what I wear, [Carolyn] will be with me,” she says. “This role was so incredible, and Carolyn’s legacy was the reason this all happened. I’m not completely sure what final form I’ll take on the carpet, but she will very much be on my mind.”
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, airs live at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 14, on NBC and Peacock. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is available to stream on Hulu.
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