Vanity Fair and Olivia Nuzzi Part Ways Following Renewed Scrutiny Over RFK Jr. Relationship
NEW YORK – Vanity Fair and West Coast editor Olivia Nuzzi have “mutually agreed to part ways,” the magazine confirmed to The Self-reliant on Wednesday, just weeks after the publication of Nuzzi’s memoir, American Canto, and renewed allegations surrounding her past relationship with Robert F.Kennedy Jr.
Nuzzi was hired by Vanity Fair chief editor Mark guiducci in late 2023, nearly a year after leaving New York magazine amid a scandal concerning an affair with Kennedy. At the time, the outlet stated her role would focus on “events, industries and culture of the Pacific region, and also writing for the magazine.” However, her position was reportedly precarious even before the release of her memoir, with sources indicating executives were likely to allow her temporary contract to expire.
The separation follows a series of damaging accusations leveled by Nuzzi’s former fiancé, Ryan Lizza, in Substack posts.Lizza alleged Nuzzi had romantic affairs with other politicians, including Mark Sanford, and acted as a political operative for Kennedy during his 2024 independent presidential run, allegedly helping him to suppress damaging stories while at New York magazine.
Nuzzi responded to Lizza’s claims by accusing him of publishing harmful “revenge porn,” a charge Lizza denied, stating, “Telling the truth is not harassment.”
American Canto has faced widespread critical panning and disappointing sales. As of publication Tuesday, the memoir was ranked #6,049 on Amazon’s hardcover best sellers list. A review in The Washington Post called the book a failure to “make yourself look foolish and pathetic,” while an interview with The Bulwark’s Tim Miller was described as “uncomfortable.”
