Remembering Brad Johns, Hair Color’s Iconic Blonding Visionary Brad Johns, the legendary celebrity colorist whose innovative approach to blonding and signature “chunking” technique redefined 90s beauty standards, has passed away at his home in West Hollywood, CA, at age 70. Friends confirmed he had been battling prostate cancer. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Johns became a defining figure in the world of hair color, renowned for his ability to craft rich, dimensional blondes that balanced artistry with natural appeal. His work left an indelible mark on both the industry and the celebrities he styled, from Christy Turlington to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Johns’ most iconic contribution was his “chunking” method, a technique that involved strategically placing larger, lighter sections of hair around the face to create movement, brightness, and a sense of dimension. This approach contrasted with the dominant “frosting” trend of the time, which relied on dense, uniform highlights. Johns’ method allowed for a more personalized and expressive look, making hair color feel like an art form rather than a mere styling tool. His ability to blend technical precision with creative flair earned him widespread acclaim and positioned him as a pioneer in the field. One of Johns’ most celebrated achievements was transforming Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s light brown hair into the golden blonde that became a defining feature of her public image. The transformation, which involved subtle caramel highlights, showcased his mastery of balancing warmth and luminosity. Years later, he expressed disappointment with attempts to modernize the look, criticizing a 2024 television dramatization for using a color that felt “too 2024” and lacked the nuanced warmth of the original.#carolyn_bessettekennedy #brad_johns #christy_turlington #ori_canales #pasadena_humane_society
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr.'s Love Story: A Reassessment of Their Relationship More than 25 years after their deaths, Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. remain etched in cultural memory as symbols of beauty, glamour, and tragedy. Yet as a new generation encounters their story through Ryan Murphy’s series Love Story, the question lingers: was their relationship an epic romance or a marriage strained by external pressures? The show frames their bond as electric, portraying Carolyn as emotionally grounded and unimpressed by the Kennedy legacy, choosing John as an equal rather than a trophy. Their dynamic is charged by mutual respect, though tensions quickly emerge, including an anonymous letter that sparks conflict and culminates in a public argument depicted in the series’ fifth episode. Beyond dramatization, the couple’s relationship is complicated by historical narratives that often framed their marriage as troubled. Elizabeth Beller, author of Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, challenges these portrayals. Speaking to those close to the couple, Beller argues their union was defined by deep affection and shared ambition, rather than dysfunction. “They loved each other very much,” she explains, noting the immense pressures they faced as young, ambitious individuals thrust into the public eye. The constant scrutiny of the media and paparazzi created a “pressure cooker,” amplifying conflicts that were inevitable in any relationship. Beller emphasizes that their marriage was not devoid of struggle, but the public perception of their relationship often exaggerated its difficulties. Friends describe the couple as deeply connected, sharing laughter and joy, which Beller suggests was a genuine foundation for their love.#john_f_kennedy_jr #calvin_klein #carolyn_bessettekennedy #ryan_murphy #elizabeth_beller
