The Man Who Would Be Vogue The Assassination of Gianni Versace - American Crime Story

This programme contains some strong language and some violent scenes.

MUSIC: Adagio in G Minor by Tomaso Albinoni

HE SCREAMS

Good morning.

Lazaro, one moment.

-Let me get my racket.

-OK.

Ciao bella.

Versace!

-Can we have your autograph?

-Not today. Thank you.

-Hey.

-Hi. How are you?

Good morning.

Hey. Good morning, Gianni.

Hi. Um, W Christy...and Diana.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

GUN COCKS

No.

Guess who I met.

-Andrew!

-Guess. You have to guess.

Who, who, who?

Gianni Versace.

No! What?!

Oh, my God, tell me everything.

MUSIC: Last Night A DJ Saved My Life by Indeep

# Last night a DJ saved my life

# Last night a DJ saved my life yeah

# Cos I was sitting there bored to death

# And in just one breath he said

# You gotta get up, you gotta get on

# You gotta get down, girl

# You know you drive me crazy, baby

# You've got me turning to another man

# Called you on the phone

# No-one's home

# Baby, why ya leave me?

# And if it wasn't for the music

# I don't know what I'd do

# Yeah

# Last night a DJ saved my life

# Last night a DJ saved my life from a broken heart

# Last night a DJ saved my life

# Last night a DJ saved my life with a song. #

Signore Versace, buona sera.

This is my friend, Andrew.

Hi.

It's good to see you in San Francisco.

Thank you.

I'm excited to see the opera.

I think it's time we had a contemporary designer working on...

Have we met before?

Yes. Lago de Como.

A garden party at your residence.

I was by the shore admiring your view

and we exchanged a few words.

You were most gracious. Of course, I remember it -

but for you to remember it, it's very flattering.

Yeah, Lago de Como, that must be it.

Yes. So...

THEY CHAT

My mother's parents are from Italy.

From the south. Schillaci is their family name. Maybe you know them.

My mother still feels a very strong connection

to the country, but in truth, she's never been.

Can you believe that?

An Italian-American that's never even seen her own country?

She never returned with you?

Honestly...

..I think she's scared.

It's almost as if...

..she wants to keep Italy only in her mind as this perfect place.

Where were her parents born?

Palermo.

Uh, they were born in Palermo.

I'll have whatever he's having.

Sparkling water.

-Palermo, you said.

-Oh, yes. They moved to Ohio in 1928.

I used to take the ferry to Palermo when I was a young boy.

So there I am sitting in the VIP area...

Wait, where is this? Hey, do you want some coffee?

Oh, no, I'll get it.

So, sitting in the VIP area at a private members only club...

Cigars, velvet upholstery...

Very strict policy on not approaching celebrities,

-which I would never do, by the way.

-No.

-Ugh. So tacky.

So I'm talking with my friend and then this...

..agreeable looking man comes up to me

and he introduces himself as Versace.

Yes. I say to him, "Honey, if you're Versace, I'm Coco Chanel."

-No, you didn't.

-I said that.

It's so embarrassing - and I had to make it up to him later,

when he actually did establish himself as...

..you know, Versace.

I'm not really a fan of his clothes, per se, it's just so...bright.

-It's too much - but they say...

-SHE MOUTHS

..that Armani designs clothes for wives.

I think that Versace designs clothes for sluts,

and don't you look at me like that.

Please, I know the score.

There's a lecherous fag on the prowl.

-I didn't know he was gay.

-Hey, faggot is not a nice word.

Not nice when it's said by the wrong person -

but what are we supposed to call them?

Homosexuals? Hmm? Sounds so...scientific.

Anyway, I don't have a problem with it - it doesn't bother me.

At all. Which is why I agreed.

Wait, you agreed to what?

Oh, didn't I say?

He invited me to the opera.

He's designing the costumes for Capriccio.

It's a minor work, but even so.

I guess even in minor works, one must wear clothes.

And you said yes?

My dear, sweet Lizzie...

..Versace has invited me to the opera.

Of course I said yes.

So I said, "Lizzie, I'm not crazy about Versace,

"but I certainly wouldn't mind going to the opera."

-Is it real?

-What?

Versace.

What do you mean?

The other day I heard you say you were half Jewish.

Well...that's complicated.

No, it isn't. You're not Jewish - you're Catholic, same as me.

You were an altar boy.

I mean, we spoke about what happened to you.

What does it matter what I said?

-What does it matter?

-Yes.

-It matters!

-Only if they know it isn't true.

-But you know.

-I thought you'd be happy about it.

-About what?

-About Versace.

That you'd brag about a date with Versace?

-It's not a brag.

-You can't even tell people you're gay.

I tell people all the time. I've told people for years. I...

You tell gay people you're gay and straight people you're straight.

I tell people what they need to hear.

How am I supposed to behave?

Do I pretend to know the person you're pretending to be?

I can't keep up.

Every time I feel like I'm getting close to you,

you say you're someone else.

I know I'm not...

-..impressive...

-OK.

..but I'm nice. I'm smart...

..and I'm kind.

I...honestly...

..truthfully...

..I swear, I really do have a date with Gianni Versace.

I'm pleased for you.

Good.

What? No, no, no, darling, look at yourself.

Look at yourself in the mirror. Don't look at me. In the mirror.

To adjust a dress, the most important thing

is that I look at your face.

It's that I see your face.

I learned that from my mother.

She was a dressmaker.

She had a little store in Calabria.

My mother, she would stand with her clients,

who she considered her friends,

in front of the mirror and study their expressions.

Not the fabric, not the dress.

Their faces - and only when they were happy,

only when they smile, when they relax,

her work was complete.

My clothes serve you, darling.

I work for you. I'm not important.

It's you, it's all about you. Yes?

-Mm, yes.

-Now you go.

MUSIC: All Around The World by Lisa Stansfield

You should have asked.

I have nothing.

You look very nice.

"Nice."

What were you going for?

Impressive.

Give me your hand.

Mm-hm.

You should... No. Uh...

I love you.

You are ridiculous.

See, that's impressive.

Yes.

ALERT CHIMES ON TANNOY

MUSIC: Kein Andres, das mir so im Herzen loht by Strauss

WOMAN SINGS IN GERMAN

Did you enjoy?

I loved it.

I thought it was inspiring.

You are creative, right?

Oh, pfft, of course, very much.

Thank you.

What do you do for work?

This and that. For my first job,

I worked for my father on his pineapple plantations

in the Philippines... Can you imagine that?

Picking them in the midday sun. You should've seen me.

My father was a-a military man.

He was a pilot for Imelda Marcos, the first lady of the Philippines.

-Really?

-Yes! He flew one of those old planes,

the, um, the type that Buddy Holly died in.

Beechcraft Bonanza, they're called, if you know them.

He would fly them low to the ground

because Imelda was terrified of crashing -

and that is a true story.

My father would tell her, "Imelda, when you're flying a plane

"at 400 miles per hour in a rickety tin can,

"it doesn't, it doesn't matter how high you are."

And then you moved to America.

My father wanted me to have the very best education.

Which, of course, I had.

He's retired from the military now.

He runs all of his businesses from abroad, cos he can.

Who knew that there was so much money to be made in pineapples?

He was here the other day, he was just in town.

He was driving around in his Rolls-Royce

with his boyfriend as a chauffeur.

Boyfriend?

-Please, don't ask.

-Your father has a boyfriend?

He left my mom and ran off with one of the young men

who worked on the plantations.

It was cute, I guess.

It's all so crazy. I'm writing a novel about it.

-You are?

-Mm-hm.

I wish I had the patience to write a novel -

but my mind is always moving, you know?

I think you need great stillness to write a novel.

I'm never still.

Maybe you just need a crazy family.

For me, family's everything.

-Everything.

-Hmm.

The first dress I ever made was for my sister Donatella.

Maybe every dress I make is for her.

That makes me want to cry.

Makes me smile.

Uh, yes, well, that, too. Yeah, of course.

The Medusa logo, from my company...

You know it?

So sophisticated.

As children, we used to play in ancient ruins

close to our home in Calabria,

and one day, I saw the Medusa's head with the...

..hair of snakes carved on the stone and I fell in love.

I know that many people call it pretentious, but I don't care.

How could my childhood be pretentious?

-I agree.

-My hope is that when people...

..wear my clothes, they will get to know me a little bit, you know?

They will get to know my character, my...my love for life -

and I think that the same will happen with your novel.

People will get to know you a little bit when they read your book.

I'll send you an advanced copy.

You think I should change my name to something a little more literary?

I was... I was thinking Andrew DeSilva.

No. You should be proud of your name.

When they make a movie of my book,

you must design the clothes. You have to.

You...for Imelda, think of it.

She was a fashion icon, it would be perfect.

You know she had 3,000 pairs of shoes.

I know - but I don't design shoes.

Well...

But maybe I could try, for your movie.

Mm?

Maybe.

I'm so happy right now.

You should be.

You're handsome, clever.

I'm sure...

..you're going to be someone really special one day.

GUNSHOT

GUNSHOT

Hey!

Hey!

Gianni.

Help!

Help!

Please help.

I just need an ambulance.

Get an ambulance.

Ahhh....!

HE LAUGHS

Yes!

Ha!

DISTANT SIRENS

-You know who that is?

-No.

It's Gianni Versace.

Ambulance!

Where's the ambulance? Please.

-Jesus.

-Please help!

Move! Get an ambulance!

Yes!

Here we go.

All right.

Hey, stop!

OVER RADIO: All units, suspect last seen

entering 13th Street garage wearing red baseball hat,

grey T-shirt. Please advise.

No red hat, but some guy in a red shirt.

Latino. A security guard or parking attendant.

I'll check him out.

What do we got?

Patient has GSW times two to the head, found in cardiac arrest.

Asystolic, pupils are fixed and dilated.

How long has he been down?

-We're in.

-Get him to Trauma One.

Hey, you! Stop right there!

Freeze!

Freeze!

Freeze! Freeze, right there!

-Come on, people. Let's go.

-Keep him centred.

-Push, push.

-Coming through, coming through.

I need that pulse.

GCS, level 3.

Suspect on the run, in pursuit!

Espanola Way.

Heading east.

Suspect is down.

Turn him over!

Let's go, let's go, let's go!

We need a crash cart.

-Get a cart, get a cart.

-On three.

One, two, three. Lift.

Attempting CPR.

Get a second line.

Come on.

I have a weak pulse.

-Let's go, people, we've got a pulse.

-Let's prep him for X-ray.

Hey, guys. I-I have the only photo.

The only...

I have the only photo of Versace.

Bidding starts at 30,000.

Looks like the bullet entered the maxilla and lodged in the vertex.

-Tore through the parietal lobe.

-Not operable.

MONITOR BEEPS

MONITOR FLATLINES

Hold CPR.

Call it.

Time of death - 9:21am.

MUSIC: Oh! Quante volte by Vincenzo Bellini

Who is he?

Boyfriend.

Go, go, go, go, go, go.

Stay behind the line.

Hey! You want to be arrested?

CAMERAS CLICK

-TV:

-Breaking news from Miami Beach.

We've received reports of a shooting

at fashion designer Gianni Versace's mansion on Ocean Drive.

The shooting occurred this morning at 9:00am.

No official statement from police has been made,

but the investigation is ongoing at this time.

Eyewitnesses have confirmed there is at least

one victim who was shot and rushed to the hospital.

Our reporter is standing by.

Well, we have just arrived at the scene,

but we can confirm that world-famous fashion designer Gianni Versace

has been shot here on the steps outside his villa.

South Carolina tags.

Sam-King-William-2-6-3.

Nah, nothing's coming up.

Could be stolen plates.

Try the vehicle ID number.

King-1-Adam-1-0.

Yeah. Vehicle linked to the homicide of William Reese.

Suspect name is Andrew Cunanan.

Pronounced Ver-sash-shay.

Singer?

That's Liberace.

It's the jeans guy.

Listen up, everyone.

Who do we have in Miami?

CHATTER AND CAMERAS CLICKING

You heard about the Chevy?

Red Chevy 1500.

-Pick-up truck?

-That's right.

Hot damn, that's Cunanan.

That's Andrew Cunanan.

Agent Evans has been looking for Cunanan for several months.

In Miami?

In Fort Lauderdale, too.

Who is he?

How many people has he killed?

Four. Five now with...Versace.

How many flyers have gone out?

How many have gone out, Agent Evans?

Shortly before 9:00am,

fashion designer Gianni Versace

was shot on the steps of his villa.

He was then taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital,

where he was pronounced dead at 9:21am.

Miami Beach Police investigators,

in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation,

and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,

are currently looking for Andrew Phillip Cunanan

as a suspect in the murder of Gianni Versace.

Cunanan should be considered armed

and extremely dangerous at this time.

What was your involvement with Mr Versace?

My involvement?

You were the person who found these, uh, dancers, models,

escorts, and brought them back to the house for sex?

Who told you that?

Mr D'Amico, this is a police investigation.

We need to know everything.

The staff told me when I interviewed them.

Well, I was his partner, not his pimp.

By partner, you mean...?

What-What do I mean?

Hey. Listen, I'm...

I'm on your side.

I'm just trying to figure out what was going on at the house.

Now, you say you're partners.

Partner.

His companion.

I loved him.

Though you were, um, bringing back other men?

For him?

You were... having sex with them, too?

With him there?

Sometimes.

Sometimes he wouldn't join in?

No, not always.

Sometimes...

It was... It was whatever he wanted.

These other men, uh, did they consider themselves

to be Versace's partner, too?

-No. Of course...

-You see why I'm confused?

What's the difference?

15 years.

I lived with Gianni for 15 years, that is the difference.

OK. That-That's, um...

That's a good length of time.

Could you give us their names? These other men.

I can... I can find out.

Were they paid?

Oh, yes, no...

Most of the time they just fell for him.

He was a genius.

He cast a spell.

Hmm. Were you paid?

Was I paid?

To love him?! Was I paid to love him?

I'm sorry. I know you're upset, but...

This is new to me, I'm just trying to get everything clear.

-Don't want to make presumptions.

-Yes, and I'm trying to help, but...

Did you see the man who shot Versace?

No.

Well, might it be one of these men who killed him?

Get them out, please.

HE SOBS

That's not what I need from you right now.

What do you need from me?

What were you saying to the police?

I don't know, they were asking some questions.

About Gianni's life.

What about my brother's life?

They will find out, Donatella.

What? What will they find out?

Everything.

Nothing was ever asked of you...

..except to take care of him -

and you couldn't even do that.

You are not to speak to anyone about my brother

without consulting me first.

Please sit down.

Well...

Thank you for coming.

For me to talk about business at this time, it's...

..kind of crazy, no?

As you know, my brother,

who I love very much, is dead...

..and now, the press and the police

will rake through his life.

Every rumour, every indiscretion.

They'll judge the killer, yes,

but they'll judge the victim, too.

At first people weep.

Then they whisper.

Gianni grew his company from one small store in Milano.

On Via della Spiga.

With a single rack of clothes...

..a little wooden bench...

..and a pietra grigia stone floor.

The same stone that's in our family chapel.

Our mother was there, Franca.

She was so proud.

From that to all this.

Everything you see around us.

This house, this company...

He was a creator, he was a collector,

he was a genius...

..and this company was his life.

When he was sad, it made him happy.

When he was sick, it kept him alive -

and my brother is still alive, as long as Versace's alive.

I will not allow that man...

..that nobody... to kill my brother twice.

The family thanks all those who have paid their respects...

..and marked their grief with silence.

This is a heinous and inexplicable crime.

Neither Gianni Versace, nor any of his family,

knew or had any contact

with the suspect known as Andrew Cunanan.

Thank you very much.

CLAMOUR OF VOICES

-TV:

-That was the last night's official statement

from the house of Versace. Lydia's at the scene.

With the death of Gianni Versace, Miami is now at the centre

of one of the largest FBI manhunts of all time.

The police have named Andrew Cunanan as the suspect.

Please call the Channel 15 tip line

if you have any information. Operators are standing by.

This is a nationwide manhunt. Be on alert.

LOCK BUZZES

I gave him 190 cash for that coin.

OK, I did everything right.

I did everything by the book.

I asked him for his ID, he gave me a US passport.

Andrew P Cunanan.

I asked him for his address.

He gave me this address, right here. OK?

I handed the paperwork in to you guys, July 7.

Seven days before Versace was shot.

We got an address on Andrew Cunanan.

Gianni had hoped to be the first Italian designer

to list his company on both the Milan Borsa

and the New York Stock Exchange.

The papers with Morgan Stanley were signed.

They were signed a week ago.

That's why he was here, in this country.

So, I know how much it meant to him.

We can still go ahead.

He would have wanted us to.

Yes, he would have wanted that.

He would have wanted his death to change nothing -

but it changes everything.

If we pull out,

we won't be able to try again for many years, Donatella.

Maybe - but if we are a public company,

we are in the hands of strangers, Santo.

They can turn against us.

For good reasons, bad reasons, fair reasons, unfair ones.

This is not a time for strangers.

This is a time for family.

Tell Morgan Stanley...

..tell them we will not be listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

We'll remain a private company.

A family company.

I'm sorry.

Go, go, go, go, go!

-Don't fucking move.

-Room's clear!

-I said don't move.

-What's your name?!

What's your name?!

-Ronnie. Ronnie.

-Do you know this man?

Do you know him?!

No.

All of them?

All of them.