Rhode Beauty has tapped actress Sarah Pidgeon as a brand representative, capitalizing on the renewed public fascination with the style and life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, whom Pidgeon portrays in Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. And Carolyn Bessette. The partnership, announced this week, features two new blush shades and lip treatments, launching March 9th, with a pre-sale waitlist currently open.
Pidgeon, speaking to reporters, described the experience of embodying Bessette-Kennedy as formative, particularly regarding the balance between public image and private life. “There’s so much to be said about a delineation between your public and private life,” she said. “When transforming [into Carolyn], I tried to understand her relationship with being perceived and presentation. I learned a lot about what storytelling you can do with fashion.”
The role required a significant physical transformation for Pidgeon, who is naturally a brunette. She underwent a lengthy process to achieve the blonde hair associated with Bessette-Kennedy. “When I witness photos of myself with brown hair, it feels just as shocking as when I first saw myself with blonde,” Pidgeon noted, adding that the change feels symbolic of a new chapter in her life. “But I feel like I’m entering a new chapter of my life, and to come into this with a different head of hair is exciting. My clothes feel different on me with my blonde hair. I’m attracted to different colors now.” She intends to maintain the blonde hair “until I change my mind or have to change my hair for another role.”
The shift in hair color has also influenced Pidgeon’s aesthetic preferences. Previously averse to the color pink, she found herself drawn to it, even wearing a pastel-pink Balenciaga dress to the recent SAG Awards. “It’s funny since I think I had more of an aversion to pink when I was a brunette,” she said. “But I do get that there’s a natural association between blondes and pink… But I actually love using the color, especially when it comes to products like blush, it feels so fresh.”
The Rhode campaign introduces “Teacup,” a raspberry-pink blush, and “Candy Apple,” a warm red blush, alongside the “Sweet Pea,” a pearly pink, and “Pretzel,” a mauve, Peptide Lip Treatments. New phone cases will also be available for purchase. The collaboration reflects a broader trend of renewed interest in Bessette-Kennedy’s minimalist style, with articles highlighting her signature sunglasses and beauty choices appearing in publications like Page Six and MSN. A nude lip pencil reminiscent of Bessette-Kennedy’s favored look has also gained attention, as reported by Grazia Daily UK.
Pidgeon’s portrayal of Bessette-Kennedy has garnered significant attention, with Vogue noting the impact the role has had on the actress’s own perspective. The new Rhode Beauty products are available for pre-order now, with the official launch scheduled for March 9th.
