Vanity Fair has ended its association with Olivia Nuzzi, the magazine's former west coast editor, following controversy over her relationship with US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Publisher Condé Nast confirmed on Friday that Nuzzi's contract will expire at the end of the year, describing the decision as mutual and in the best interest of the magazine.
The fallout began after Nuzzi's former fiancé, journalist Ryan Lizza, published a series of personal exposés in November. He alleged that Nuzzi's connection to Kennedy's presidential campaign was more extensive than previously admitted, and further accused her of a separate relationship with a person she was covering. Lizza also claimed she had an affair with former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford, a 2020 Republican candidate.
Nuzzi had joined Vanity Fair under a short-term deal set to conclude at the end of 2025, focusing on events, industries, and culture of the Pacific region. The magazine initially remained silent on Lizza's claims, later stating it was examining all facts. Staff reportedly received little information about the internal review.
In a recent interview, Nuzzi acknowledged violating ethics rules, saying: “I think shame is really important and I had fucked up. I did something wrong. Those ethics rules exist for a reason – they’re really good rules. And I had violated that.” Her memoir, American Canto, was released on Tuesday and does not name Kennedy but addresses the entanglement. Critical reception has been largely negative. Nuzzi said she does not intend to return to campaign reporting.
