In the world of high-profile scandals and media frenzy, few stories capture the public’s imagination like those of Amanda Knox and Monica Lewinsky.

Knox, the American student wrongfully accused in the 2007 murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher in Italy, spent years fighting for her innocence—convicted in 2009, acquitted in 2011, and ultimately cleared when Rudy Guede was convicted of the crime. Meanwhile, Lewinsky became a household name in the 1990s due to her affair with President Bill Clinton while interning at the White House, enduring intense public shaming that defined her life for decades. Today, these two women share a deep friendship built on shared trauma, resilience, and a mission to reclaim their stories.

With Knox’s memoir and the upcoming Hulu series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox set to premiere on August 20, 2025, their collaboration highlights how they’ve supported each other through the chaos.

Amanda Knox and Monica Lewinsky first crossed paths in January 2017 at a private conference in Seattle, where both were scheduled to speak. For Knox, this marked her initial foray into public speaking about her ordeal, a nerve-wracking step toward reshaping her image after years of misrepresentation in the media. Monica Lewinsky, already a seasoned advocate against public shaming through her TED Talk “The Price of Shame” and writings for Vanity Fair, invited Knox to her hotel room for a chat. There, Lewinsky brewed a cup of tea and offered practical advice on self-care, mental preparation, and navigating trauma.

Knox later reflected on the moment, saying, “I walked away from that meeting feeling truly seen. Here was someone to whom I didn’t have to explain the trauma of prolonged, widespread public shaming.” The connection was immediate, rooted in their parallel experiences as young women thrust into the spotlight—Knox vilified as a “femme fatale” during her trial, and Lewinsky reduced to a punchline in the Clinton scandal. Knox has described Lewinsky as a “model” and even a “big sister,” crediting her for providing guidance and reassurance during those early days.

This bond extended beyond that initial encounter. Knox, inspired by Lewinsky’s ability to rebuild her life through activism—focusing on bullying, mental health, and sexism—saw a path forward for herself. She began hosting her own projects, like the podcast The Truth About True Crime and The Scarlet Letter Reports, which tackle media bias and sexism, mirroring Lewinsky’s efforts. Knox has openly shared that Lewinsky “held my hand through this journey,” helping her process the ongoing public scrutiny.

Their relationship evolved into a professional partnership when Lewinsky approached Knox about adapting her story for television. As an executive producer on the Hulu series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, Lewinsky brought her own insights from producing Impeachment: American Crime Story in 2021, which revisited her scandal with sensitivity. Knox, who also serves as a producer and contributed to the writing, aimed to clarify the events of 2007—from her arrival in Italy as a naive student to the tragedy and her wrongful conviction.

In a recent interview, Knox emphasized that the project isn’t just about correcting misconceptions but also about empowering others facing similar media trials. “She really held my hand through this journey,” Knox said of Lewinsky, highlighting how their friendship provided the emotional support needed to tackle such a personal story. Sources close to them note that the duo has grown “very close,” staying in constant contact and finding solace in their shared post-scandal lives.

Knox has even coined their circle the “Sisterhood of Ill Repute,” a nod to women like herself Lewinsky, and others (such as Lorena Bobbitt) who’ve endured reputational damage but emerged stronger. Through this friendship, both women demonstrate that healing and reinvention are possible, turning personal pain into advocacy for change.