Vanity Fair has decided to part ways with political journalist Olivia Nuzzi following allegations of an inappropriate affair. In a joint statement, representatives for both Nuzzi and Vanity Fair confirmed that her contract would not be renewed at the end of the year, emphasizing that this was in the magazine’s best interests.
Nuzzi joined the magazine as West Coast editor in September. Recently, she released her book “American Canto,” where she reflected on her alleged digital relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This relationship came into the spotlight after she profiled him for New York Magazine in 2023. She left that magazine last year amidst dating allegations.
Additionally, Nuzzi’s former fiancé, Ryan Lizza, has accused her of having an affair with Mark Sanford, a former Republican governor of South Carolina. Nuzzi has denied these accusations. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report her exit from Vanity Fair.
In an interview with Tim Miller from Bulwark, Nuzzi discussed her alleged meetings with Kennedy, expressing frustration about the situation. “I’m sick of it,” she stated, acknowledging she made mistakes and violated ethical boundaries. While some encouraged her to carry on, she emphasized the importance of shame in her reflections.
She mentioned having a distorted perspective, which led to her misjudgments. “I didn’t want to pretend it didn’t happen,” she said. Nuzzi claimed that her interactions with Kennedy, who is married, didn’t seem significant because his approval ratings had dipped since she wrote the profile.
Addressing her connection with Sanford, she mentioned her approach was more about helping him navigate challenges rather than dictating what he should do. “I loved him, and I cared about him,” she noted, explaining her reluctance to give direct advice.
New York Magazine conducted an investigation that found no evidence of bias or inaccuracy in her reporting. Nuzzi’s lawyer highlighted that her book discusses only one instance in her career of an inappropriate relationship with an interviewee, though they didn’t detail the alleged affair with Sanford. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s representatives have denied any physical relationship, stating he only met Nuzzi once.
