Monica Lewinsky Reclaims Her Story: Inside Her Executive Producer Role on ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’
The highly anticipated FX series, Impeachment: American Crime Story, offers viewers a fresh perspective on one of the most infamous political scandals in American history: the affair between then-President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Premiering on September 7, the show revisits the events of the mid-1990s that ultimately led to President Clinton’s impeachment. Crucially, this dramatization stands apart due to the significant involvement of Monica Lewinsky herself, who serves as an executive producer. This role has empowered Lewinsky, now 48, to ensure that her side of the story — a narrative often distorted by public scrutiny and media sensationalism — is finally told with authenticity and nuance.
Lewinsky’s journey from a young intern at the center of a global media storm to a powerful voice in her own narrative has been long and arduous. Following the exposure of the affair, she endured an unprecedented level of public shaming and brutal bullying, which profoundly impacted her life. Her executive producer credit on Impeachment signifies more than just a title; it represents a profound act of reclaiming her story and shaping its portrayal for a new generation of viewers, many of whom may only know the sensationalized headlines. Her involvement ensures that the series delves into the complexities of the power dynamics at play, the human toll of political scandal, and the devastating impact of unchecked media scrutiny.
Insisting on Authenticity: The Thong-Flashing Scene
In a revealing interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Monica Lewinsky shed light on the extent of her influence, sharing a specific instance where her insistence proved vital to the show’s authenticity. She revealed that she pushed for the inclusion of a scene depicting Monica, played by Beanie Feldstein, flashing a sliver of her thong to President Clinton, portrayed by Clive Owen. This particular detail, while seemingly minor, was a prominent feature of the Starr Report – the comprehensive document detailing allegations against President Clinton that ultimately triggered his impeachment process. For Lewinsky, omitting such a historically documented moment would have been a disservice to the narrative and potentially opened her, and the production team, to criticism.
“Listen, I would’ve loved to have been really selfish and said, ‘That’s great that you guys think we don’t have to show that, fantastic,’ but I’m incredibly experienced in understanding how people see this story,” Lewinsky explained to THR. Her words underscore a deep understanding of public perception and the enduring nature of the narrative that was constructed around her. She recognized that while the show’s creators might have preferred to avoid potentially controversial or exploitative moments out of respect for her, excising a detail so central to the public record would invite accusations of whitewashing or intentional omission. This decision highlights her commitment to historical accuracy, even when it means revisiting uncomfortable truths about her past.
Monica further elaborated on her reasoning, stating that the thong-flashing incident was a “vital part of the story” as presented in the Starr Report. Her rationale was two-fold: “One was that I shouldn’t get a pass because I’m a producer; and two, that it was unfair to the team and to the project because it would leave everybody vulnerable.” This demonstrates remarkable integrity and a pragmatic approach to storytelling. By insisting on the inclusion of this scene, Lewinsky not only ensured the series’ faithfulness to historical documents but also strategically disarmed potential critics who might have questioned her influence or integrity had such a detail been omitted. Her decision was a calculated move to uphold the authenticity of the narrative, even if it meant personally revisiting a moment that contributed to her public humiliation.
Setting Boundaries: The Clinton Marriage Scenes
While Monica Lewinsky’s executive producer role provided her with significant creative control over much of the series, she also recognized the importance of setting boundaries. She clarified to The Hollywood Reporter that she took a backseat in her leadership regarding the intimate moments between President Clinton and Hillary Clinton, who is portrayed by the esteemed Edie Falco. This decision, as Monica succinctly put it, was for “myriad, obvious reasons.”
These “obvious reasons” likely stem from a combination of personal discomfort, a desire to maintain professional distance from aspects of the narrative that do not directly involve her personal experiences, and an understanding of the delicate nature of depicting a marriage from an external perspective. Her primary focus remained on her own story, her experiences, and the events that directly impacted her. By stepping back from scenes involving the Clinton marriage, Lewinsky maintained her integrity and avoided the perception of overstepping into narratives that were not hers to shape. This nuanced approach highlights her maturity and her commitment to focusing on her unique and invaluable perspective, rather than attempting to control every facet of the historical dramatization.
A Star-Studded Cast and Visionary Creators
Impeachment: American Crime Story boasts an impressive and star-studded cast, bringing to life the key figures of this complex historical event. Beyond Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky and Clive Owen as Bill Clinton, the series features Sarah Paulson in a transformative role as Linda Tripp, the former Pentagon employee whose secret recordings played a crucial part in the scandal’s unraveling. Annaleigh Ashford takes on the role of Paula Jones, whose sexual harassment lawsuit against Clinton led to the discovery of his affair with Lewinsky. Betty Gilpin portrays conservative pundit Ann Coulter, Margo Martindale appears as Lucianne Goldberg, and Billy Eichner steps into the shoes of Matt Drudge, the journalist behind The Drudge Report who first broke the news of the affair.
The series is the brainchild of Ryan Murphy, a prolific and acclaimed creator known for his anthology series. As one of the lead executive producers, Murphy has been instrumental in bringing this intricate story to the screen. Impeachment marks the third installment in the critically acclaimed American Crime Story anthology, following the success of The People v. O.J. Simpson and The Assassination of Gianni Versace. Each iteration of the series has masterfully dissected high-profile true crime events, offering compelling narratives and often re-evaluating historical figures and public perceptions. Ryan Murphy’s involvement, coupled with the show’s established reputation for quality and depth, sets high expectations for Impeachment.
In a previous interview with Variety, Ryan Murphy underscored Monica Lewinsky’s profound impact on the production. “She’s involved with every script, gives a lot of insights and thoughts,” Murphy stated, emphasizing the depth of her collaboration. He further articulated the series’ core mission: “The great thing about the story that we’re telling is it’s Monica’s story, which I think needs to be told.” This statement highlights the crucial shift in perspective that Impeachment aims to achieve, moving away from a purely political or sensationalized account to one that centers on the personal experience of the individual who bore the brunt of the public’s judgment.
The Enduring Legacy and Modern Relevance
The decision to revisit the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal now, decades later, is particularly poignant. In the era of #MeToo and heightened awareness surrounding power dynamics, sexual harassment, and the devastating consequences of public shaming, Monica Lewinsky’s story resonates with renewed relevance. Her prior experiences, marked by widespread ridicule and a global vilification campaign, predate much of the contemporary discourse around victim-blaming and consent. The series offers an opportunity to re-examine the events through a more modern lens, encouraging audiences to reflect on how such situations were perceived and handled in the past, and how far – or not so far – society has come.
Lewinsky’s courage in stepping back into the spotlight not only as a subject but as a producer is a powerful testament to her resilience and her determination to control her narrative. Her voice, once silenced and distorted, is now at the forefront of this re-telling. Impeachment: American Crime Story promises to be more than just a historical reenactment; it aims to be a crucial cultural commentary on media ethics, the weaponization of personal lives for political gain, and the enduring human cost of public scandal. By ensuring her story is told with precision and her unique insights, Monica Lewinsky transforms her past ordeal into a powerful platform for understanding, empathy, and change.
As Impeachment: American Crime Story premieres September 7 on FX, it invites viewers not just to remember a scandal, but to understand the profound personal journey of Monica Lewinsky, a woman who, through her courage and collaboration, has redefined her place in history.