Olivia Nuzzi, the former New York Magazine correspondent known for her sharp political reporting, is back in the headlines—but this time, it’s personal.
Her forthcoming memoir, American Canto, is set to reveal intimate details of her life and relationships, igniting fresh controversy in political and media circles.
Salacious Texts Between Nuzzi and RFK Jr.
According to Page Six, Nuzzi’s memoir will reportedly include steamy text exchanges between her and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The revelations are said to be potentially devastating for Kennedy’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines.
“It’s hard to imagine RFK surviving this with his marriage and job intact,” an unnamed source told the outlet.
Kennedy, 71, has publicly denied any inappropriate relationship, claiming he met Nuzzi only once for an interview.
Sources described their connection as “emotional and digital in nature, not physical.”
Past Controversy With Ex-Fiancé Ryan Lizza
The memoir will also touch on Nuzzi’s former engagement to journalist Ryan Lizza, which ended amid reports that she had been “emotionally involved” with Kennedy while covering his campaign.
Though an internal investigation at New York Magazine found no bias or inaccuracies in Nuzzi’s reporting, the controversy contributed to her departure from the publication, where she had been Washington correspondent from 2017 to 2024.
Political Power Players and Trump Coverage
Nuzzi’s new book won’t stop at personal drama. It is expected to delve into her decade covering President Donald Trump, including insights from hours of recorded interviews.
Sources suggest the revelations could shake the Trump administration, raising concerns about Nuzzi’s safety and the possibility of legal attempts to block the memoir’s release.
High-Profile PR Handling
Simon & Schuster has reportedly brought in crisis PR expert Risa Heller—who previously worked with figures like Anthony Weiner, Jared Kushner, and Jeff Zucker—to manage the book’s rollout.
This indicates the publisher is bracing for high-stakes attention.
Personal Fallout for Nuzzi
While the scandal may impact powerful figures, it has arguably hit Nuzzi harder.
She lost her job at New York Magazine, ended her engagement with Lizza, and became embroiled in a legal dispute with him.
Nuzzi initially accused Lizza of threats and blackmail, though she later withdrew the claims.
Lizza dismissed the allegations as “disgraceful lies” and part of a “coordinated defamation campaign.”
Cheryl Hines’s Response
Meanwhile, Cheryl Hines has publicly downplayed the rumors. She continued attending major events with Kennedy but reportedly avoided living in the couple’s Georgetown home due to discomfort with the political spotlight.
Speaking to US Weekly last year, Hines said she wasn’t worried about the allegations and emphasized that her own book, Unscripted, would address the situation on her terms.
“Lots of emotions with rumors! But, it will all be in my book. I’ve been taking notes—serious notes,” she said.
“People have a lot of feelings about politics, especially in Hollywood… To me, it doesn’t define somebody.”
Publication Details and Secrecy
Unscripted is set to release on November 11. To avoid overlap, Simon & Schuster has reportedly kept Nuzzi’s memoir under wraps, storing it on a separate server with no preliminary copies for internal review.
An Amazon listing for American Canto shows no author image, listing, or details—only a publication date of December 2 and pre-order options for $30 hardcover and $15 ebook.
The Story Continues
As anticipation builds, Daily Mail has reached out to Simon & Schuster, the Department of Health and Human Services, and representatives for Cheryl Hines for comment.
Nuzzi’s memoir promises to be a revealing account of politics, power, and personal upheaval that’s capturing national attention even before it hits shelves.