Versace Family Disavows American Crime Story: 'It's a Work Of Fiction' [Updated]

The second installment of Ryan Murphy’s award-winning show American Crime Story, now focusing on the death of designer Gianni Versace whereas the first centered on the O.J. Simpson trial, is set to premiere January 17. But the Versace family stresses that the show should only be viewed as a work of complete fiction.

In a statement the Versace family writes: “The Versace family has neither authorized nor had any involvement whatsoever in the forthcoming TV series about the death of Mr. Gianni Versace. Since Versace did not authorize the book on which it is partly based nor has it taken part in the writing of the screenplay, this TV series should only be considered as a work of fiction.” And given the show is a Ryan Murphy production, yes, it’s a dramatic affair, but labeling all of it fiction may be a stretch.

The show is based on the book Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U. S. History by Maureen Orth and focuses not just on Versace’s murder but the failure on behalf of the FBI to successfully capture Cunanan despite clues, as well as Versace’s sexuality and stigmas against the LGBT community at the time.

Update, 5:29 P.M.: A representative of FX Productions wrote in a statement:

Like the original American Crime Story series “The People Vs OJ Simpson,” which was based on Jeffrey Toobin’s non-fiction bestseller “The Run of His Life,” FX’s follow-up “The Assassination Of Gianni Versace” is based on Maureen Orth’s heavily researched and authenticated non-fiction best seller “Vulgar Favors” which examined the true life crime spree of Andrew Cunanan. We stand by the meticulous reporting of Ms. Orth.