Amanda Knox, a once convicted killer, and Monica Lewinsky of the infamous Bill Clinton White House scandal share a commonality in the new Hulu show

Amanda Knox and Monica Lewinsky, two women whose lives were dramatically altered by high-profile scandals, have come together in a collaboration by the Hulu limited series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.

Though their controversies stem from vastly different circumstances—Knox from a wrongful murder conviction and Lewinsky from a presidential scandal—the intensity of public scrutiny and media attention they endured has left lasting marks on their personal and public identities.

Amanda Knox

Amanda Knox first captured global attention as a 20-year-old American student studying abroad in Perugia, Italy, when she was accused and convicted in connection with the 2007 murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher.

Kercher was found sexually assaulted and murdered in their shared apartment, triggering an intense investigation.

Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were arrested and charged amid widespread media coverage. Knox’s conviction was largely based on disputed forensic evidence. She was repeatedly interviewed without being given access to a lawyer.

After a series of trials, appeals, and retrials spanning several years, Knox was definitively acquitted by Italy’s Supreme Court in 2015.

Her saga became a worldwide media sensation, characterized by sensationalized headlines that portrayed her as “Foxy Knoxy” and a calculating killer
The case was notable for its complex legal proceedings and heightened media sensationalism worldwide. Knox’s ordeal disrupted her education, strained her personal relationships, and subjected her family to ongoing public scrutiny.

Monica Lewinsky

Monica Lewinsky became a central figure in one of the most significant political scandals in US history when her extramarital affair with then President Bill Clinton came to light in 1998.

Lewinsky, a 22-year-old White House intern at the time, maintained a secret relationship with Clinton, which eventually became the focus of investigations led by independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

The scandal culminated in President Clinton’s impeachment by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, though he was acquitted by the Senate.

The wide-reaching political and media coverage exposed Lewinsky to invasive public scrutiny, stigmatizing her personal and professional life for years.

She withdrew from public life for many years and has spoken openly about the long-lasting personal and career repercussions of the media storm.

Media and the commonality of judgment

Amanda Knox and Monica Lewinsky have both faced intense media scrutiny marked by sensationalism. Knox was subjected to distorted media portrayals that reduced her to caricatures. She endured over 50 hours of police questioning and years of public vilification, describing the experience as psychologically traumatic.

Lewinsky has become an advocate for anti-bullying and media literacy, emphasizing the broad impact of misrepresentation on women’s self-perception.

Knox has pursued public speaking and advocacy focusing on wrongful convictions.

As part of their ongoing public profiles, both Knox and Lewinsky have taken active roles in sharing their personal stories and experiences to provide a comprehensive perspective on their histories. Their collaboration on the Hulu series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox seeks to illuminate the complexities behind the headlines and offer a detailed recounting of Knox’s experience, with Lewinsky contributing as an executive producer.