Monica Lewinsky confessed to a surprising wave of “panic” during the production of *Impeachment: American Crime Story*, stemming from her concern over Sarah Paulson’s portrayal of Linda Tripp. The series, which Lewinsky herself produced, meticulously revisited the scandal that shook a presidency and defined a generation. Her fear wasn’t about inaccuracies, but a far more unsettling possibility: empathy for Tripp.
Lewinsky revealed on her podcast that she worried Paulson’s talent would be so compelling, audiences might actually *like* Tripp. It was a deeply irrational fear, she admitted, akin to a child’s worry, but rooted in the trauma of having her life dissected and judged publicly. She needed to ensure the narrative wouldn’t shift, rewriting history in a way that minimized the harm caused.
Paulson, known for her nuanced performances, immediately understood Lewinsky’s anxiety. She reassured Lewinsky early on that Tripp wouldn’t receive the same treatment as Marcia Clark, the prosecutor she played in *The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story* – a character often portrayed negatively. Paulson recognized the delicate balance of Lewinsky’s position, navigating both creative input and the need to protect her own story.
The core of Lewinsky’s concern lay in the power of perspective. She feared any humanization of Tripp would be a betrayal of her own experience. Paulson acknowledged this, stating that even a small amount of empathy directed towards Tripp would be understandably “uncomfortable” for Lewinsky, given the profound impact of Tripp’s actions.
Linda Tripp’s role in the scandal was pivotal. Working at the Pentagon, she cultivated a close relationship with Lewinsky during her White House internship. This proximity allowed Tripp to secretly record their conversations, ultimately handing over the tapes that fueled the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton. The betrayal cut deeply, shaping Lewinsky’s life for decades.
Paulson expressed immense pride in her performance, calling it the work she’s “most proud of” in her entire career. She even contemplated getting a small “L” tattoo as a personal commemoration of the experience, a symbolic marking of a role that profoundly resonated with her. It wasn’t about admiration for Tripp, but about the weight and significance of the story itself.
Interestingly, Paulson confessed to never having watched the first season of *American Crime Story*, focusing instead on the impact of *Impeachment*. She watched her own work in that series repeatedly, finding herself genuinely moved and satisfied with the complexity and nuance she brought to the role. The tattoo idea, ultimately abandoned, represented a desire to permanently acknowledge the transformative power of the experience.
