Olivia Nuzzi, formerly a prominent political reporter at New York Magazine, is reportedly exploring a return to the media landscape and has been seen with Vice Media co-founder Shane Smith in Los Angeles.
According to a report, Nuzzi has been networking and spending time with Smith as he works to revive Vice News, which faced bankruptcy in 2023. While the specifics of any potential role remain unclear, sources familiar with their discussions suggest a possible position for Nuzzi at Vice, an outlet known for taking risks. Nuzzi has also reportedly become a regular at the exclusive San Vicente Bungalows private club, where she has been meeting with figures in the media and entertainment industries.
A spokesperson for Vice denied that discussions involved a professional role, stating, "There is nothing related here to Vice News." Neither Smith nor Nuzzi has commented on the reports.
Nuzzi's career trajectory took a significant turn in September 2024 when New York Magazine revealed her undisclosed relationship with a subject she was covering during the presidential campaign. This relationship violated the magazine's conflict-of-interest and disclosure policies, leading to her leave and an external review of her reporting. The subject was later identified as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy's spokeswoman denied a romantic relationship, stating he met Nuzzi only once for an interview. Nuzzi acknowledged that communications with the former subject had become personal and admitted the relationship should have been disclosed. New York Magazine's editor later stated that Nuzzi reported the relationship began after she profiled Kennedy in November 2023 and ended in August 2024.
Investigations by the magazine and an independent review by Davis Wright Tremaine concluded that Nuzzi's reporting contained no inaccuracies or political bias. However, the magazine determined that the undisclosed relationship had compromised its conflict-of-interest standards, and Nuzzi departed the publication in October 2024.
Following her departure from New York Magazine, Nuzzi became involved in a public and legal dispute with her former fiancé, Ryan Lizza. Nuzzi accused Lizza of blackmail, harassment, hacking, and theft, seeking a civil protection order. Lizza denied these allegations. While a temporary protection order was initially granted, Nuzzi later voluntarily dismissed the case.
In September, Vanity Fair hired Nuzzi as its West Coast editor, indicating a potential opportunity for her reentry into elite journalism. This was followed by the publication of her memoir, "American Canto," in which she acknowledged violating journalistic ethics. However, shortly after renewed public scrutiny surrounding the memoir and the prior controversy, Vanity Fair and Nuzzi mutually agreed that her contract would expire at the end of the year.