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Sarah Pidgeon exclusively told E! News the surprising way she dove into her role as the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy while stepping out at the 2026 Actor Awards in Los Angeles March 1.
Love Story's Sarah Pidgeon Reveals Surprising Way She Tapped Into Carolyn Bessette (Exclusive)
Sarah Pidgeon is mapping out her journey to portraying the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
The Love Story star detailed the unique way she dove into her role as the late wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. for the Ryan Murphy-created anthology series while stepping out on the red carpet for the 2026 Actor Awards in Los Angeles on March 1. (For every star who showed out for the 2026 Actor Awards, hosted by Kristen Bell, click here.)
"We shot in so many places around New York City—you know, in the East Village and Tribeca—all of her favorite haunts," Sarah exclusively told Justin Sylvester at on Live From E!: Actor Awards 2026. "In those moments where, geographically, we were in the same places, I felt quite connected to her."
And visiting the favorite hangouts of the fashion publicist—who tied the knot with JFK Jr. in 1996, three years before the couple tragically died in a private plane crash—wasn't the only way she prepared to take on her character.
After all, Sarah—who rocked a stunning salmon-colored, off-the shoulder Balenciaga gown at the Actor Awards—also noted that she did a lot of research leading up to filming Love Story.
"To learn so much about Carolyn in preparation for the show, and then on top of that, being able to embody her—she has so much power and has such strong convictions," Sarah shared. "Her humor, her kindness—I felt very grateful to be able to, literally and figuratively, walk in her shoes every day."
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Another aspect of the job the 29-year-old felt grateful for? Getting to act opposite Paul Anthony Kelly, who plays JFK Jr. in the FX show.
"He's so charming on and off the screen," Sarah told E!. "He was wonderful. I wouldn't trade it for the world getting to do it with him."
For every star who went full glam at the 2026 Actor Awards, keep reading.
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Kristen Wiig
in Christian Cowan and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Michelle Randolph
in Balenciaga.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Sofia Carson
in Elie Saab and Chopard jewelry.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Liza Colon-Zayas
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Jean Smart
in Laura Basci and Rahaminov Diamonds jewelry.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Jasmin Savoy Brown
in Zuhair Murad.
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
Irina Shayk
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Janelle James
in Christian Louboutin shoes.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Ethan Hawke
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Eiza González
in Giorgio Armani Privé.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Fiona Dourif
in Lanvin and Lagos jewelry.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Erin Doherty
in Louis Vuitton.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Benicio del Toro
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Michael B. Jordan
in Tom Ford.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Regina Hall
in custom Cong Tri.
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Lisa Ann Walter
in Alexia Maria.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Demi Moore
in Schiaparelli.
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
Allison Janney
in Raisa Vanessa and Sabyasachi jewelry.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Calista Flockhart & Harrison Ford
in Zuhair Murad and Leviev jewelry (Flockhart).
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Timothée Chalamet
in Prada.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Mindy Kaling
in Yara Shoemaker and Bucherer Fine Jewellery.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Jenna Ortega
in Christian Cowan and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
Sterling K. Brown
in Brioni, Blancpain watch and Oliver Peoples glasses.
Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Tyler, The Creator
Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images
Natasha Rothwell
in Naeem Kahn and Mindi Mond jewelry.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Aimee Lou Wood
in custom Versace, Jimmy Choo shoes and Frank Darling jewelry.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Emma Stone
in custom Louis Vuitton.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Paul Mescal
in Saint Laurent and Cartier jewelry.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Sarah Paulson
in Saint Laurent.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Connor Storrie
in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Watch The Actor Awards 2026 (formerly named the SAG Awards) live Sunday, March 1, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Netflix.
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