Arts & Entertainment
Gianni Versace’s lover bashes Ricky Martin’s portrayal in ‘American Crime Story’
Antonio D’Amico says the murder scene is inaccurate
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Antonio D’Amico, Gianni Versace’s partner of 15 years until his murder in 1997, is not happy with the way he is being portrayed in “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.”
An on set photo from the scene of Versace’s murder is circulating the internet and D’Amico says it’s completely inaccurate to what really happened.
D’Amico told The Observer that the “American Crime Story” team did not reach out to him for research.
“The picture of Ricky Martin holding the body in his arms is ridiculous,” D’Amico says. “Maybe it’s the director’s poetic license, but that is not how I reacted.”
D’Amico was drinking coffee on the veranda of the mansion when Versace was shot. He and the butler rushed outside to find Versace laying on the steps.
“The house had stained glass windows so we couldn’t see what had happened from inside, so we had to open the gate,” D’Amico says. “I saw Gianni lying on the steps, with blood around him. At that point, everything went dark. I was pulled away, I didn’t see any more.”
However, D’Amico is open to helping Martin and the “American Crime Story” team make the portrayal more accurate.
“It’s getting to know the small things about a relationship,” D’Amico says. “For example, Gianni was so ordered and focused at work but in his private life everything was disorganized. He’d leave the bathroom in a mess. At a certain point I said ‘enough’! And when it came to cooking, he didn’t even know how to [boil] an egg.”
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
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The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
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The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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