Ewan McGregor transforms into 1970s fashion icon Halston (Picture:Netflix)
The family of Halston have decried the upcoming Netflix series created by Ryan Murphy about the American fashion designer, describing the Ewan McGregor-led show as ‘inaccurate’.
Roy Halston Frowick, known as Halston, gained prominence in the fashion world in the 1970s, becoming known for his minimalist designs and befriending A-listers among the likes of Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger.
He died in 1990 at the age of 57 of Kaposi’s sarcoma, an AIDS-related cancer.
Obi-Wan Kenobi star Ewan portrays the designer in the Netflix mini-series, which is based on the book Simply Halston by Steven Gaines.
While the actor delighted fans with his transformation into Halston, complete with slicked-back hair, pristine ensembles and an undeniable swagger, the family of the fashion designer are none too pleased with the on-screen depiction of their late relative.
In a statement released by the family and the Halston Archives, it said that they ‘were not consulted on the upcoming Netflix series involving an inaccurate, fictionalized account of famed fashion designer, Halston’.
Roy Halston befriended individuals including Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol (Picture: Zuma/Rex)
‘The Halston Archives remains the only definitive and comprehensive source on the man and his legacy as the personally appointed custodian of his private papers and effects,’ they said.
In a further statement, Lesley Frowick, the niece of Halston and the founder and director of the Halston Personal Archives, said she ‘was not consulted in any way’ and was ‘unaware’ of the series ‘until the project was near completion and the promotional activity had started’.
Speaking to The Guardian, Lesley said that ‘these people who didn’t know him well’ frequently ‘like to focus on the most sensational parts of the story’, stating that ‘those details tend to be overinflated rather than placing the rightful emphasis on his incredible gift as an artist’.
Lesley also cast doubt on Ewan’s portrayal of her uncle, while saying that she ‘appreciates’ his abilities as an actor.
A sneak peek at Halston shows Ewan hanging out at the infamous Studio 54 (Picture: Netflix)
Stars joining Ewan in the mini-series include Rory Culkin as film director Joel Schumacher, Rebecca Dayan as jewellery designer Elsa Peretti, Krysta Rodriguez as performer Liza Minnelli and Gian Franco Rodriguez as Halston’s partner Victor Hugo.
Last month in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ewan defended being cast as Halston, who was gay, despite identifying as straight.
The actor addressed comments previously made by Billy Porter in a 2019 Hollywood Reporter Actor Roundtable, when the Pose star said: ‘If “flamboyantly” wasn’t in the description of the character, no one would see me ever for anything. Straight men playing gay – everyone wants to give them an award.’
In response, Ewan said that he ‘respects both sides’ of the discussion.
‘I haven’t walked in Billy Porter’s shoes. I don’t know what it’s like to lose out parts when you might feel it’s to do with your sexuality. So I can only respect his point of view,’ he said.
Ewan added that ‘if it had been a story about Halston’s sexuality more, then maybe it’s right that gay actors should play that role. But in this case — and I don’t want to sound like I’m worming out of this, because it’s something I did think a lot about — I suppose ultimately I felt like it was just one part of who he was’.
Halston is set to premiere on Friday 14 May on Netflix.
Credit: Original article published here.The post Family of Halston slams Ryan Murphy’s upcoming Netflix series on fashion designer as ‘inaccurate’ appeared on My Celebrity Life.