FX Networks original true-crime drama The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story premieres its fifth episode next Wednesday.
#ACS season 3 will focus on Hurricane Katrina.
rottentomatoes: 87%
metacritic: 74
imdb: 8.5
emmys: 7 wins
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Aunt Josephine
Lily Tucker-Pritchett
DC Eunice Noon
James
Klaus Baudelaire
Charlie Telphy
Donatella Versace
Donatella Versace would inherit lead-design responsibilities of The Versace Group after her brother Gianni is slain.
“Get them out, please. That’s not what I need from you right now. What were you saying to the police? What about my brother’s life? What? What will they find out? nothing was ever asked of you except to take care of him. And you couldn’t even do that. You are not to speak to anyone about my brother without consulting me first.” — Donatella Versace
“Please sit down. Well… thank you for coming. For me to talk about business at this time, it’s… kind of crazy, no? As you know, my brother, who I love very much, is dead. And now, the press and the police will rake through his life. Every rumor, every indiscretion. They’ll judge the killer, yes, but they’ll judge the victim, too. At first people weep. Then they whisper. Gianni grew his company from one small store in Milano. On Via della Spiga. With a single rack of clothes, a little wooden bench, and a pietra grigia stone floor. The same stone that’s in our family chapel. Our mother was there, Franca. She was so proud. From that to all this. Everything you see around us. This house, this company… he was a creator, he was a collector, he was a genius. And this company was his life. When he was sad, it made him happy. When he was sick, it kept him alive. And my brother is still alive, as long as Versace’s alive. I will not allow that man– that nobody– to kill my brother twice.” — Donatella Versace
“Gianni had hoped to be the first Italian designer to list his company on both the Milan Borsa and the New York Stock Exchange. The papers with Morgan Stanley were signed. They were signed a week ago. That’s why he was here, in this country. So, I know how much it meant to him. Yes, he would have wanted that. He would have wanted his death to change nothing, but it changes everything. Maybe. But if we are a public company, we are in the hands of strangers, Santo. They can turn against us. For good reasons, bad reasons, fair reasons, unfair ones. This is not a time for strangers. This is a time for family. Tell Morgan Stanley… tell them we will not be listing on the New York Stock Exchange. We’ll remain a private company. A family company. I’m sorry.” — Donatella Versace
“I need to talk to him. What is Versace without you? Who am I without you?” — Donatella Versace
“He wasn’t enough for you? This house, this life. You wanted more. More fun, more men. I understand. That is your business. But why bring him into it? No, he chose you. He went along with it because of you. Because he knew what you were thinking. ‘Not handsome enough for handsome Antonio.’ My brother has a weakness for beauty. He forgives it anything. But I am not my brother. You knew he wanted a family. Why didn’t you give him one? You could have found a way. What have you done for him? What have you given him? Stability? Safety? Children? If you had given him anything, I would have given you respect. But you’ve given him nothing.” — Donatella Versace
“He’s gone, Antonio. There is no need for us to pretend anymore.” — Donatella Versace
“Gianni. Amore-amore mio. Amore mio. Amore mio.” — Donatella Versace
“After everything he survived, to be killed like this.” — Donatella Versace
“Girls, can you give us the room? I need to talk to my brother. What happened? You agreed to try them. Front covers. Everybody’s talking about Galliano and McQueen. What are they doing next? If you want to sell any clothes, yes. I’m worried, Gianni. Our shows were the future once. People see the same models, and they say the same thing. ‘Versace, great, masterful, but I know this guy. I knew him ten years ago, and here he is again.’ Do you really think people will hear those words when they see your clothes? They won’t. Okay, you dress your girls, I dress mine. We’ll see who wins. What dress will end the show? Mm. How original. Our show.” — Donatella Versace
“I handle publicity for this company. This is my responsibility. And this is about more than you. How can you decide this without consulting me? Ah, this is your idea. You want to be famous. Known around the world as Versace’s lover? And your pride is more important than this company? In great comfort, that’s for sure. And what is my place? All these people’s lives depend on you. We’re opening stores in countries where it is illegal. Where it is a crime. You have to visit those countries. They might refuse your entry, refuse a visa, refuse to do business with you. The rock stars, the actors, the royalty whose endorsements we cherish… they might not want to be associated with us. You joke? Joke? We’re talking about the survival of the company. You live in isolation. Surrounded by beauty and kindness. You have forgotten how ugly the world can be. This is not the same. Are you angry with me or with the world? When we list the company on the New York Stock Exchange, what will your admission cost? $1 million? $100 million? Or will it make this company worth nothing? Perry Ellis. When he walked onto the runway dying of AIDS, so weak, his assistants caught him when he took a bow… after that, people stopped buying his clothes. No, Gianni, a lot of people. Answer me this: why now?” — Donatella Versace
Artisan.
Gianni Versace
Italian-American fashion-icon Gianni Versace is shot twice in the head outside of his home in Miami Beach, Florida on July 15, 1997 by spree-killer Andrew Cunanan.
“Good morning. Ciao bella. Not today. Thank you. Hey. Good morning. Hi. Um, W Crhisty… and Diana. Thank you so much.” — Gianni Versace
“Hi. Thank you. Have we met before? Yeah, Lago de Como, that must be it. Yes. So… yes… she never returned with you? Where were her parents born? Palermo, you said? I used to take the ferry to Palermo when I was a young boy.” — Gianni Versace
“What? No, no, no, darling, look at yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror. Don’t look at me. In the mirror. To adjust a dress, the most important thing is that I look at your face. It’s that I see your face. I learned that from my mother. She was a dressmaker. She had a little store in Calabria. My mother, she would stand with her clients– who she considered her friends– in front of the mirror and study their expressions. Not the fabric, not the dress. Their faces and only when they were happy, only when they smile, when they relax, her work was complete. My clothes serve you, darling. I work for you. I’m not important. It’s you, it’s all about you. Yes? Mm, yes. Now you go.” — Gianni Versace
“Did you enjoy it? You are creative, right? What so you do for work? Really? And then you moved to America. Boyfriend? Your father has a boyfriend? You are? I wish I had the patience to write a novel. But my mind is always moving, you know? I think you need great stillness to write a novel. And I’m never still. For me, family’s everything. Everything. The first dress I ever made was for my sister Donatella. Maybe every dress I make is for her. Makes me smile. The Medusa logo, from my company… you know it? As children, we used to play in ancient ruins close to our home in Calabria. And one day, I saw the Medusa’s head with the… hair of snakes carved on the stone and I fell in love. I know that many people call it pretentious, but I don’t care. How could my childhood be pretentious? My hope is that when people… wear my clothes, they will get to know me a little bit, you know? They will get to know my character, my-my love for life. And I think that the same will happen with your novel. People will get to know you a little bit when they read your novel. No. You should be proud of your name. I know, but I don’t design shoes. But maybe I could try, for your movie. Hmm? You should be. You’re handsome, clever. I’m sure… you’re going to be someone really special one day.” — Gianni Versace
“When I was a child… I had an older sister. Before Donatella was born. Her name was Tina. At ten years old, she became very ill with peritonitis. My parents sent me away to live with my aunt and my uncle while they nursed her. But I couldn’t be away from my family for long, so… one day, I ran all the way back home. And when I walked into the house, I saw her, my older sister, in an open casket surrounded by white flowers. No one had told me she had died. Until that moment, I always believed that if you get sick, you can also get better.” — Gianni Versace
“It will be you. You will find out.” — Gianni Versace
“I try not to be bitter, Antonio. I was never bitter before. If I was sad, I create. If I was angry, I create. But now, I’m too… I’m too sick. I’m too sick to-to work and too sick to… for the first time in my life, I-I’m jealous. I’m jealous of him. I’m jealous of her. I… I just want it out, Antonio. I just want it out, my love. Just get it out of me, my love. Get it… I need us to be a family. I cannot do this if we’re not.” — Gianni Versace
“Mamma mia. Okay. I will continue later. Okay? Yes, Donatella, but I want my models to look like they enjoy life! Like they eat, at least. Like they laugh, like they dance, they make love. What do those girls enjoy? So, you think I cannot make the front cover anymore? Should I be asking myself, ‘what are people talking about?’ No, Donatella. It comes here first. From here, and then, you hire the photographers, and then you throw the parties, and then you ask celebrities to wear our clothes, but that comes second. When did I become the past? Donatella, I get better every day, stronger. It’s a miracle. Maybe one day, I will tire of being thankful that I’m alive. Maybe one day, it won’t seem like a miracle, and I will be able to produce a show as dark and as morbid as you desire. But until that day, life is special. Life is precious, and that is how I feel. And my shows must be about what I feel. If not, they are about nothing. You’re wrong. They will know. They won’t know the details, of course, but they will feel those emotions because the clothes will make them feel them. Perfect. Let’s fight. We’re family, it’s okay to fight. We’ll fight. A bride in a silver dress with a veil pulled back behind her head, not covering her face. Not a virgin bridge, a Versace bridge. She will be a woman who’s loved many men before. A woman who’s finally found her equal, a match for her passions. She won’t be dainty, she won’t be timid. She will be proud and strong. And that’s how I will end my show. Our show. Now get the girls.” — Gianni Versace
“I’ve arranged an interview. The Advocate Magazine. The American publication. For gay readers. I’ve never said it. I’m gay. Yes. Yes, but this is not about you. In what way? The magazine has a modest circulation. Uh, consulting you? Okay, I’m consulting you. What would you advise? Enough! Enough, both of you. I will not… fight over this. It was my idea, it was my idea. Donatella, walk with me. Come. I want you to support me. You know that. Tell me, honestly… …what do you think could happen? Well, at least we keep Elton, no? Is that what you believe? The women we design for, they’re strong, yes? They’re fearless. They’re not ashamed.” — Gianni Versace
“Because I was sick. And I didn’t die. I have a second chance. It’s a miracle that I’m alive. And yet I ask myself every day, what have I done to deserve this? Why am I still here? To be afraid? No. I’m alive and I must use it.” — Gianni Versace
Andrew Cunanan
“Guess who I met? Guess. You have to guess. Gianni Versace. So there I am sitting in the VIP area… I’ll get it. So, sitting in the VIP area at a private members only club– cigars, velvet upholstery… very strict policy on not approaching celebrities, which I would never do, by the way. Ugh. No. So tacky. So I’m talking with my friend and then this… agreeable looking man comes up to me and he introduces himself as Versace. Yes. I say to him, ‘honey, if you’re Versace, I’m Coco Chanel.’ I said that. It’s so embarrassing. And I had to make it up to him later, when he actually did establish himself as… you know, Versace. I’m not really a fan of his clothes, per se, it’s just so… bright. It’s too much, but they say… …that Armani designs clothes for wives. I think that Versace designs clothes for sluts, and don’t you look at me like that. Please, I know the score. There’s a lecherous fag on the prowl. Not nice when it’s said by the wrong person. But what are we supposed to call them? Homosexuals? Hmm? Sounds so… scientific. Anyway, I don’t have a problem with it; it doesn’t bother me. At all. Which is why I agreed. Oh, didn’t I say? He invited me to the opera. He’s designing the costumes for Capriccio. It’s a minor work, but even so. I guess even in minor works, one must wear clothes. My dear, sweet Lizzie. Versace has invited me to the Opera. Of course I said yes.” — Andrew Cunanan
“Signore Versace, buona sera. It’s good to see you in San Francisco. I’m excited to see the opera. I think it’s time we had a contemporary designer working on… yes. Lago de Como. A garden party at your residence. I was by the shore admiring your view and we exchanged a few words. You were most gracious. Of course, I remember it. But for you to remember it, it’s very flattering. My mother’s parents are from Italy. From the south. Schillaci is their family name. Maybe you know them. My mother still feels a very strong connection to the country, but in truth, she’s never been. Can you believe that? An Italian-American that’s never even seen her own country? Honestly, I think she’s scared. It’s almost as if… she wants to keep Italy only in her mind as this perfect place. Palermo. Um, they were born in Palermo. I’ll have whatever he’s having. Oh, yes. They moved to Ohio in 1928.” — Andrew Cunanan
“So I said, ‘Lizzie, I’m not crazy about Versace, but I ceraintly wouldn’t mind going to the opera.’ What? What do you mean? Well… that’s complicated. What does it matter what I said? Only if they know it isn’t true. I thought you’d be happy about it. About Versace. It’s not a brag. I tell people all the time. I’ve told people for years. I… I tell people what they need to hear. Okay. I honestly… truthfully. I swear, I really do have a date with Gianni Versace. Good.” — Andrew Cunanan
“I have nothing. ‘Nice.’ Im-pressive. You should– no. Uh… see, that’s impressive.” — Andrew Cunanan
“I loved it. I thought it was inspiring. Oh, pfft, of course, very much. Thank you. This and that. And for my first job, I worked for my father on his pineapple plantations in the Philippines– can you imagine that? Picking them in the midday sun. You should’ve seen me. My father was a-a military man. He was a pilot for Imelda Marcos, the First Lady of the Philippines. Yes. He flew one of those old planes, the, um, the type that Buddy Holly died in. Beechcraft Bonanza, they’re called, if you know them. He would fly them low to the ground because Imelda was terrified of crashing, and that is a true story. My father would tell her, ‘Imelda, when you’re flying a plane at 400 miles per hour in a rickety tin can, it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter how high you are.’ My father wanted to have the very best education. Which, of course, I had. He’s retired from the military now. He runs all of his businesses from abroad, ’cause he can. Who knew that there was so much money to made in pineapples? He was here the other day, he was just in town. He was driving around in his Rolls-Royce with his boyfriend as a chauffeur. Please, don’t ask. He left my mom and ran off with one of the young men who worked on the plantations. It was cute, I guess. It’s all so crazy. I’m writing a novel about it. Mm-hmm. Maybe you just need a crazy family. Hmm. That makes me want to cry. Uh, yes, well, that, too. Yeah, of course. So sophisticated. I agree. I’ll send you an advanced copy. You think I should change my name to something a little more literary? I was, I was thinking Andrew DeSilva. When they make a movie of my book, you must design the clothes. You have to. You… for Imelda, think of it. She was a fashion icon, it’ll be perfect. You know she had 3,000 pairs of shoes. Well… maybe. I’m so happy right now.” — Andrew Cunanan
“Ah… yes! Ha! All of them.” — Andrew Cunanan
“Hello. I don’t have a reservation, and I know it’s very unlikely because this hotel has such a great position right next to the oceanfront, but by any chance, do you have a room? I was born in Nice. Have you ever been? It’s beautiful. You should go sometime. I hope to go back soon, maybe raise a family– but first, I need to make my way in the world. I’m a fasion student– I traveled all the way here just so I can share a few words with Mr. Versace. I hear he’s very open to having conversations with young, aspiring students. Don’t judge by the clothes. I don’t have a dollar to spend on them. But I think Mr. Versace will find my conversation very excellent. I would say, ‘sir, nothing is more inspiring to me than that one outfit that Carla Bruni wore.’ It was a skirt of crinoline, like a giant floral handkerchief, fastened with a gold belt, and daringly mismatched with a denim shirt. Are you saying that some people actually leave here without paying. Did you catch him?” — Andrew Cunanan
“I’ll take this camera. And that hat, and… sunglasses, the black ones.” — Andrew Cunanan
“I don’t want to be a pain. I don’t want to be a pain. I don’t want to be a pain. I don’t want to be a pain, but growing up, I spent my summers swimming off the coast of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, so, being this close to the ocean, but not being able to see the water… it makes me sad. I won’t say a word. I’m Andy. What does Miriam call you? Know where to score? Did you have a bad experience? I worked at an AIDS awareness initiative in San Diego. I was a volunteer. I’ve helped a lot of people in my life. When they were sick, when they were short cash, or when they needed someone… they came to me. No. I might. I’m not most people. Lost my best friend. And the love of my life. This year. Yeah. I know people. Versace. He’s a fashion designer, lives in… yeah, we met in San Francisco. I was helping him with the costumes for Capriccio. It’s an opera he was working on. And one night… he treated me to a meal at Stars. Anyone who’s anyone eats there. You know it? It made a celebrity out of its head chef. Jeremiah Towers? Well, anyway, that’s when he proposed to me. Didn’t work out, but… we’re still friends. Every day. So I hear. Well, that’s because you don’t know him. The more you know him, the more you’ll like his clothes. The man invented his own fabrics. When they told him what he wanted wasn’t possible, he just created it himself. Ever heard of Oroton? It’s a fine chain mail mesh of aluminum alloy so light that a woman can wear it on a hot summer’s day. I… I don’t see something nice. I see the man behind it. A great creator. A man I could have been. Yeah.” — Andrew Cunanan
“I’m gonna share this with you 50-50. I look after my friends. That’s always been important to me. How many times have you done this before? Two? Three? How many people do you employ in business? 300? You have no idea.” — Andrew Cunanan
Antonio D’Amico
“Lazaro, one moment. Let me get my racket.” — Antonio D’Amico
“Gianni. Help! Please help. I just need an ambulance. Get an ambulance. Ambulance. Where’s the ambulance? Please. Please help!” — Antonio D’Amico
“My involvement? Who told you that? Well, I was his partner, not his pimp. What-what do I mean? Partner. His companion. I loved him. Sometimes. No, not always. Sometimes… it was, it was whatever he wanted. No. Of course… 15 years. I lived with Gianni for 15 years, that is the difference. I can, I can find out. Oh, yes, no. Most of the time they just fell for him. He was a genius. He cast a spell. Was I paid? To love him?! Was I paid to love him? Yes, and I’m trying to help, but… no.” — Antonio D’Amico
“What do you need from me? I don;’t know, they were asking some questions. About Gianni’s life. They will find out, Donatella. Everything.” — Antonio D’Amico
“You hate me, don’t you? ‘Cause he chose to. I am not a villain. And he’s not a saint. But we can agree on something. ‘Cause we’re not allowed. He celebrated your marriage. He shed tears of joy in church for your fucking union! What have you done but belittle me and criticize his choice?” — Antonio D’Amico
“Donatella, please. Please.” — Antonio D’Amico
“Yes, what would you advise? For 13 years, I’ve been mistaken for Gianni’s assistant. I’ve lived unseen. I never imagined being publicly acknowledged. I know my place, unlike you.” — Antonio D’Amico
Santo Versace
“We can still go ahead. He would have wanted us to. If we pull out, we won’t be able to try again for many years, Donatella.” — Santo Versace
Elizabeth Cote
“Andrew! Who, who, who? No! What?! Oh, my God, tell me everything. Wait, where is this? Hey, do you want some coffee, honey? No, you didn’t. Hey, faggot is not a nice word. Wait, you agreed to what? And you said yes?” — Elizabeth Cote
“You should have asked. You look very nice. What were you going for? Give me your hand. Mm-hmm. I love you. You are ridiculous. Yes.” — Elizabeth Cote
Detective George Navarro
“Jesus. Who is he? You heard about the Chevy? That’s right. In Miami? Who is he? How many people has he killed?” — George Navarro
“What’s your name?! What’s your name?!” — George Navarro
Detective Paul Scrimshaw
“No. Boyfriend. Red Chevy 1500. How many flyers have gone out?” — Paul Scrimshaw
“What was your involvement with Mr. Versace? You were the person who found these, uh, dancers, models, escorts, and brought them back to the house for sex? Mr. D’Amico, this is a police investigation. We need to know everything. The staff told me when I interviewed them. By partner, you mean…? Hey. Listen, I’m… I’m on your side. I’m just trying to figure out what was going on at the house. Now, you say you’re partners. Though you were, um, bringing back other men? For him? You were… having sex with them, too? With him there? Sometimes he wouldn’t join in? These other men, uh, did they consider themselves to be Versace’s partner, too? You see why I’m confused? What’s the difference? Okay. That-that’s, um… that’s a good length of time. Could you give us their names? These other men. Were they paid? Hmm. Were you paid? I’m sorry. I know you’re upset, but… this is new to me, I’m just trying to get everything clear. Don’t want to make presumptions. Did you see the man who shot Versace? Well, might it be one of these men who killed him?” — Paul Scrimshaw
Detective Lori Wieder
“Agent Evans has been looking for Cunanan for several months. In Fort Lauderdale, too. How many have gone out, Agent Evans?” — Lori Wieder
“We got an address on Andrew Cunanan.” — Lori Wieder
“Do you know this man? Do you know him?!” — Lori Wieder
“Why do you think he’s now in Miami? Do you think he’s more or less likely to be here compared to, say, Los Angeles or San Diego. We’re talking about a really small area. The most popular gay venues are Twist, Warsaw Ballroom, Salvation, Amnesia… The Beach on 12th street, and we’re here. If he comes here, pretty much he’ll have to walk right past us. We could visit these places in a day. I’m happy to take you around. Let’s get the flyers out, meet the bar owners, community leaders… so, you don’t want to canvass South Beach as well? Get the flyers out there. When will they be ready? Well, that’s certainly clear.” — Lori Wieder
FBI Agent Keith Evans
“Pickup truck? Hot damn, that’s Cunanan. That’s Andrew Cunanan. Four. Five now with… Versace.” — Keith Evans
“Andrew Cunanan, 27 years old. Well, he’s made the Bureau’s Top Ten Most Wanted, which means right now, every FBI office in the country has agents looking for him. We intend to do our job on the assumption that he’s coming here. All right. Detective… you haven’t read the case files, but Cunanan won’t be a regular tourist. He’s a predator escort, which means he’s going to target closeted, older, wealthy homosexuals. Now, I’ve been told that bars in Fort Lauderdale serve those kinds of men. We only have ten right now.” — Keith Evans
FBI Agent Talarah Gruber
“He’s killed four men. His murder spree began in Minneapolis. Next murder was in the countryside by East Rush Lake. Third victim was in Chicago. The fourth man was in New Jersey. We don’t know where he is. We’re having more printed. The flyers aren’t a priority for us.” — Talarah Gruber
The prolific producer behind @AHSFX and @ACSFX will exit his longtime home at 20th Century Fox Television on July 1 in favor of a mega-deal at Netflix that is said to be for five years and worth $300 million https://t.co/RXx6KyfgEJ
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 14, 2018
Lies will be his ultimate destruction. #ACSVersace returns in TWO WEEKS with an all-new episode, only on FX. pic.twitter.com/TMKYS8O79r
— American Crime Story FX (@ACSFX) February 16, 2018
Tonight’s #ACSVersace flashes back to the beginning of Andrew Cunanan’s multi-city murder spree https://t.co/wvZjliJQbb
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 8, 2018
🆕 CONFIRMED 🆕
‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace – American Crime Story’ starts Wednesday 28 February on @BBCTwo.
More info here 👉 https://t.co/PkCINUSbIC #ACSVersace pic.twitter.com/O4oW5baHHT
— BBC Two (@BBCTwo) February 14, 2018
Looks like our new pop group's debut album cover leaked onto the cover of emmy magazine. We. Are. Viva. Thank you @TelevisionAcad for the opportunity. pic.twitter.com/6EPteFVMQh
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) May 17, 2018