Draft:Hypodermic Sally

Hypodermic Sally
American Horror Story character
First appearance	"Checking In" (2015)
Last appearance	American Horror Story: 13 (2026)
Created by	Ryan Murphy Brad Falchuk
Portrayed by	Sarah Paulson
In-universe information
Full name	Sally McKenna
Species	Ghost Human (formerly)
Occupation	Drug dealer
Affiliation	Hotel Cortez
Significant other	John Lowe

Sally McKenna, better known as "Hypodermic Sally", is a fictional character featured in American Horror Story, portrayed by Sarah Paulson. Primarily created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, Sally appears as a main character in American Horror Story: Hotel (2015-2016), and again in American Horror Story: 13 (2026).

Within her fictional universe, Sally is a heroin addict who was murdered by Iris Holloway. After her death, her soul attaches to the Hotel Cortez, becoming a permanent resident to James Patrick March's establishment. She develops a sexual relationship with John Lowe, and becomes a regular accomplice of Elizabeth "The Countess" Johnson, helping her and Lowe commit murders within the hotel.

The character has received high praise from television critics, with praise towards Sally's desire for affection and Sarah Paulson's performance of the character. However, some scholars noted her as a one-dimensional character, criticizing her lack of depth. In 2016, Paulson was nominated at the Primetime Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie" for her role as Sally.

Character overview

Sally McKenna is a drug addict and heroin dealer featured in the fifth season of American Horror Story. After her death in 1994, her spirit becomes attached to the Hotel Cortez, where she permanently resides. McKenna becomes an accomplice to the Countess, and the lover of John Lowe. She develops a spiteful hatred for Iris Holloway, who is responsible for her death.

Prior to the release of Hotel, Sarah Paulson described Sally as "a very dark girl, but also a very broken girl," comparing her to a broken ragdoll. "She has a lot of emotion, she's got a lot of fire in her belly." Paulson also expressed that Sally was far darker than any of her previous roles, calling her a "sexy" drug addict.

Development

In April 2026, it was announced by Murphy that Paulson would reprise several roles from American Horror Story for its thirteenth season. In August, it was revealed that one of her returning characters would be Hypodermic Sally.

Character storyline

Hotel

See also: American Horror Story: Hotel

Sally is a ghost who resides at the Hotel Cortez in Los Angeles. Before her death, Sally was a heroin addict who became involved with the Los Angeles underground music scene. She considers herself an artist and has aspirations of becoming a singer. She becomes close to two musicians, Nick Harley and Tina Black. While the three are using heroin, Sally sews herself to Nick and Tina with a needle and thread in an attempt to keep them together. Nick and Tina eventually die, leaving Sally trapped with their bodies until she is able to free herself.

In 1994, Sally becomes involved with Donovan, the drug-addicted son of Iris, a maid who works at the Hotel Cortez. Sally brings Donovan to the hotel so that they can use heroin together. Donovan overdoses as Iris arrives at the hotel, discovering what has happened to her son. She confronts Sally and blames her for Donovan's overdose. Iris pushes her through a window, causing her to fall to her death. Because Sally died on the property of Hotel Cortez, she becomes one of the ghosts trapped within the building.

After her death, Sally continues to live at the Hotel Cortez and remains deeply affected by her addiction, loneliness, and need for human connection. She becomes familiar with the hotel's supernatural residents, including Mr. James Patrick March and Elizabeth "the Countess" Johnson, and develops a particularly close relationship with the latter. Sally also encounters the Addiction Demon, a mysterious entity associated with the hotel that torments people struggling with addiction. Her experiences with the demon become another part of her existence within the Cortez.

Around 2015, Sally becomes involved with Detective John Lowe, who repeatedly visits the Hotel Cortez while investigating a series of murders. Sally develops strong feelings for John and reveals that they have been sexually involved during his previous stays at the hotel, although John does not remember their encounters. She becomes emotionally dependent on him and hopes that their relationship will give her the connection she has spent years seeking. John, however, remains devoted to his wife, Alex, and his family. Sally's attachment to him becomes increasingly obsessive as she realizes that he does not intend to remain with her. She also becomes involved in Mr. March's plans, who recognizes Sally's feelings for John and uses her attachment to manipulate him. Sally assists March as he guides John toward completing his transformation into the Ten Commandments Killer.

Iris begins to recognize that Sally is profoundly lonely and that much of her destructive behavior comes from her inability to cope with being abandoned. After John dies, Sally is left without the person on whom she has become emotionally dependent, and she becomes increasingly isolated within the hotel. Iris eventually gives Sally a smartphone and introduces her to social media. Sally quickly becomes fascinated with the technology and begins using it to communicate with other people, overcoming her drug addiction. She creates an online presence and gains a large following, receiving the attention and recognition that she has spent much of her life seeking.

13

See also: American Horror Story: 13

Sarah Paulson is expected to reprise her role in the thirteenth season of American Horror Story, per Ryan Murphy and Paulson. The character made a brief introduction in the season's trailer.

Reception

The characterization of Sally was well-received by television critics, with praise towards her backstory, development, and Sarah Paulson's overall performance, but criticism towards her lack of depth.

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref(s)
2016	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie	Sarah Paulson	Nominated

Legacy

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sarah Paulson revealed that Sally was her fourth favorite character portrayal in American Horror Story. Paulson also cited the role as one of the most fun and freeing acting experiences of her career.