Vanity Fair has cut ties with journalist Brittany Romano following a viral video that showed her smiling and winking at a camera during the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy. Romano had been credentialed by the magazine to cover the proceedings.
In a statement, Vanity Fair confirmed that after observing Romano's conduct, they informed her that they would not be moving forward with a personal essay she was preparing about her experience growing up with Clancy. The magazine also informed the court that Romano was no longer credentialed by Vanity Fair.
The video, captured inside the courtroom, showed Romano appearing to smile and wink toward a camera during Monday's trial proceedings. The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing widespread criticism from users who deemed the behavior inappropriate given the gravity of the case, which involves the alleged murder of Clancy's three children.
Romano addressed the backlash on social media, posting a statement on Instagram. She defended her actions, explaining that her expressions were intended for family members watching a broadcast and were a result of her anxiety and discomfort. "A smile is not a crime," she wrote. "I smile through anxiety. I smile when I’m uncomfortable. That is not indifference, it is a nervous system managing strain the only way it knows how."
She further stated that her intention in covering the case was to explore the complexities of women's mental health, particularly in relation to Clancy's alleged actions. Romano claimed that despite her efforts to cover the case honestly, she had received threats and abusive messages online.
Clancy is accused of killing her three children, and her defense has centered on allegations of postpartum psychosis. Romano had stated that her personal connection to Clancy fueled her interest in covering the trial, aiming to delve into the nuances of her mental health struggles.