Dubbed the “biggest literary hoax of our time,” the true story behind the persona JT LeRoy eluded many for over a decade, but when it emerged, it was a scandal on a level the literary world hadn’t seen in quite some time. Author JT LeRoy was a rising star and beloved among literary scholars and celebrities alike. However, that all changed in 2006, when a journalist uncovered the truth behind the identity of the author who purported to share their story of harrowing youth in “The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things.”
Shown earlier this year at Sundance, “Author: The JT LeRoy Story” movie quickly became one of the most anticipated documentaries of the year. The film tells the story of a writer named Laura Albert and her desire to hide behind the persona of Jeremiah “Terminator” LeRoy. The situation quickly spiraled out of her control when she hired a family member to pose as the real life JT LeRoy for public appearances. Everything was going great until a journalist learned the truth and threatened to “out” Albert.
“Author: The JT LeRoy Story” was directed by Jeff Feuerzeig, best known for “The Devil and Daniel Johnston.” Amazon Studios and Magnolia Pictures are set to release the film on September 9th.