“I am not a woman,” says Emmy Rossum in the early moments of “Angelyne.” “I am an icon.” An affectionate, thoughtful tribute to LA’s Billboard Queen, a woman who literally prays at the altar of Marilyn Monroe, the Peacock series tells the story of someone ahead of her time — a singer and model who was famous for being famous long before Paris and Kim popularized the expression.
In the first episode of “Angelyne,” its blonde bombshell insists, “This is my story. Don’t you dare try to make it about you.” The dark comedy shifts perspectives throughout, but it’s ultimately Angelyne’s bubble gum pink-tinged world, and everyone else is just living in it. While she meets skeptics along the way, Angelyne manages to manifest the world she wants to live in — a world where she’s looked at, talked about, and admired. Where she feels like she’s the center. But Angelyne never wants to be examined too closely. She seeks spectatorship, not analysis. Much of the series revolves around her mysterious past. Angelyne wants to craft her own origin story — history and facts be damned. Her persona is what matters, and as far she’s concerned, she birthed herself.
Rossum is fearless in her depiction of the unexpected icon, going all out, capturing her playfulness, rage, artificiality, and depth. Her performance is so much more than makeup and prosthetics, impressive as they are.
“Angelyne” is now streaming on Peacock. Allison Miller serves as showrunner.
