Yahoo News Cruz sought Donatella Versace's approval to play her
While the Versace family continues to condemn Ryan Murphy's series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Penelope Cruz has revealed she received Donatella's full blessing to play her in the upcoming FX show.
The Oscar-winning actress was appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as she disclosed that she sought the designer's approval before she accepted the role, and spoke of the huge "responsibility" of playing a real person.
"You feel much more responsibility [playing a real person]," Cruz explained. "When Ryan [Murphy] called me... I said, 'I need to make a phone call and talk to Donatella about this' before taking the job."
Cruz continued: "She [Donatella] told me if somebody was going to do it, she was really happy that it was me, because I think she knows what I feel for her and Gianni."
Speaking about the family, the Volver star added: "They're the most kind people.
"It's important to me that when she sees what I've done she can feel the love and respect that I have put there and how I feel for her."
Cruz also said that the designer sent her a bouquet of flowers before the Golden Globes last weekend (January 7).
Meanwhile the Versace family has released two statements to denounce the FX show, branding it "a work of fiction" and stressing that neither the show nor its source material have been authorised by the family.
The series is based on the book Vulgar Favors, a best-seller by Maureen Orth. FX released a statement saying they "stand by the meticulous reporting of Ms. Orth", while Murphy said the book "has been discussed and dissected and vetted for close to 20 years".
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story will air in the UK on BBC Two and in the US on FX.
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