Bold take: Paul Anthony Kelly is already channeling Kennedy vibes, even before the full JFK Jr. portrayal hits screens. With a flood of buzzy biopics landing in theaters and on streaming, actors on press tours have become living mood boards, and Kelly is no exception. He’s stepping into the role of John F. Kennedy Jr. with a prep-school, Kennedy-esque polish that’s both nostalgic and modern.
For a recent Good Morning America appearance, Kelly wore a look straight from designer Michael Rider’s Celine lineup: light-wash jeans paired with a crisp white shirt and a razor-sharp peak-lapel blazer. The red-white-and-blue striped necktie—though sometimes tucked into the waistband—reads like one of Rider’s signature squared-off ties, a subtle nod to traditional prep with a contemporary twist. He finished the look with low-profile leather slippers that wink at Harry Styles’s ballet-flat moment, plus a slim leather belt and Wayfarer sunglasses that keep the vibe grounded and paparazzi-proof.
Taken together, the ensemble evokes a blend: JFK Sr.’s 1960s Americana refined through Jr.’s effortless offbeat elegance. Of course, the Kennedy lineage makes tailored Armani tuxedos feel almost inevitable, yet John-John himself was never content with predictability. In the 1990s, the late attorney and George magazine founder rolled through New York in rollerblades, boxers, and a backwards beret, quietly rebelling against the stiff silhouette of the era. Even in professional settings, his style often carried a playful, off-kilter edge.
As quoted by former George magazine colleagues, JFK Jr. could appear in meetings with advertisers and executives in a suit while the practical joke of the moment—like a bicycle chain tucked under the jacket because he’d forgotten the key at home—peeked out from his wardrobe. That mix of polish and whimsy became part of his signature aura.
For Kelly, stepping onto the Love Story press circuit in a way that nods to his character’s iconography is a calculated choice, not a misstep. Rather than shy away from cosplay, he leans into the resonance of JFK Jr.’s unmistakable style, inviting viewers to see him through that memorable lens. And given the early momentum, expect more bold, boundary-pushing prep looks from him as the year unfolds.
How do you feel about actors aligning themselves so closely with the icons they’re portraying? Do you think this helps or hinders an actor’s own growing identity on the press circuit? Share your thoughts in the comments.
