New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi‘s partner, Ryan Lizza, confirmed the couple has split amid her alleged involvement with Robert F. Kennedy Jr, husband of actress Cheryl Hines.
In a statement published to Politico Playbook on Friday, September 20, afternoon, Lizza — who works for the outlet — stated: “Because of my connection to this story through my ex-fiancée, my editors and I have agreed that I won’t be involved in any coverage of Kennedy in Playbook or elsewhere at Politico.”
Per the pair’s social media, they had been engaged since 2022. It is not clear exactly when the couple decided to go their separate ways.
Nuzzi worked as a high-profile political reporter for New York Magazine. Earlier on Friday, that outlet published a public apology to its readers, stating that Nuzzi had failed to disclose a “personal relationship” with an unnamed subject she profiled in 2024 election coverage.
“She is currently on leave from the magazine, and the magazine is conducting a more thorough third-party review. We regret this violation of our readers’ trust,” the magazine’s since-deleted statement read.
While Kennedy, 70, was not named by New York Magazine nor Nuzzi, other outlets including CNN and the New York Times reported it was Kennedy that was being referred to in the matter of Nuzzi’s leave. Kennedy, for his part, has denied having an inappropriate “personal relationship” with Nuzzi.
Sources told CNN that the affair was “emotional and digital” but not physical.
Throughout her time at New York Magazine, Nuzzi wrote a November feature on Kennedy, who was running for president before dropping out and ultimately endorsing Donald Trump. Nuzzi also penned several features about Trump and his campaign.
“Earlier this year, the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal. During that time, I did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source,” Nuzzi said in a statement to CNN. “The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict. I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I’ve disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York.”
Kennedy has been married to Hines, an actress best known for Curb Your Enthusiasm, since 2014. The couple initially met in 2004 and remained friends until their connection turned romantic years later. Hines, 58, and Kennedy began dating in 2010 after she finalized her divorce from ex-husband Paul Young. The exes share daughter Catherine. Kennedy, for his part, was previously married to Mary Richardson Kennedy from 1994 to 2012 and Emily Ruth Black from 1982 to 1994.
Hines has not publicly commented on Kennedy and Nuzzi’s scandal. Us Weekly has reached out for comment.
