Olivia Nuzzi is parting ways with Vanity Fair amid emerging allegations concerning her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and another politician.
A joint statement from her representatives and a Vanity Fair spokesperson confirmed that the decision to allow her contract to expire at the end of the year was mutual, emphasizing it’s for the best interest of the magazine.
Nuzzi, who recently published “American Canto,” began as the West Coast editor for Vanity Fair in September, following her departure from New York Magazine due to a prior scandal.
The hiring was a notable move from Mark Guiducci, the new editor-in-chief, although reports suggest that Anna Wintour held significant sway in the decision-making process regarding her employment.
Concerns around her fit for the role intensified earlier this week when her ex-fiancé, Ryan Rizza, made headlines with claims about her behavior as a journalist, especially highlighting her relationship with RFK Jr., 71. He noted that she offered humorous fashion advice and likened the politician to a fictional boxer.
Rizza’s disclosures didn’t stop there; he accused Nuzzi of a past affair with former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford while they were both covering him as journalists.
Page Six reached out to Sanford for his thoughts on the matter.
While the news of Nuzzi’s resignation was not surprising to some, there were whispers that her position had been in jeopardy even from the start. Some suggested that it seemed like there was an effort to distance the magazine from her.
One insider remarked, “She never wrote a single piece after her hiring, nor did she attend any meetings.” This wasn’t just about herability; it was about her troubled past, including negative reactions to her book that detailed personal relations with powerful figures.
In an excerpt publicly shared, Nuzzi even claimed that Kennedy expressed a desire for her to “bear his child,” which drew considerable criticism when it was released.
Whispers of doubt about her hiring were prevalent even before recent events emerged. Comments from staff indicated skepticism regarding her professional future, particularly following backlash to her book.
The publicist for Kennedy, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines, refuted the affair claims, insisting that their interactions were limited to a single interview arranged by Nuzzi.
