Anna Wintour’s Role in Olivia Nuzzi’s Future at Vanity Fair

Olivia Nuzzi’s position at Vanity Fair hangs in the balance, with Anna Wintour, the influential editor of Vogue and Condé Nast editorial chief, playing a crucial role in her future. Nuzzi’s appointment as the magazine’s West Coast editor has sparked significant discussion among staff and industry insiders, particularly following her controversial background.

Mark Guiducci was appointed as Vanity Fair’s global director of editorial content in summer 2023, and he immediately made headlines with his decision to hire Nuzzi. According to a report from the New York Times, Guiducci persuaded Nuzzi to join the publication during a dinner at the Sunset Tower. He secured approval from his superiors at Condé Nast, but insiders suggest that Wintour’s endorsement was pivotal.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Wintour “signed off on hiring her, and will have the final say to fire her.” One insider stated, “There isn’t anything that Anna doesn’t overwrite or reinforce when it comes to their overall P&L [profit and loss statement].” This has led to speculation about whether Guiducci truly has the authority to make independent staffing decisions.

Despite Guiducci’s reported autonomy, there is unease within Vanity Fair regarding Nuzzi’s hiring. Critics have pointed to her recently published book, American Canto, which details her alleged affair with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. An excerpt from the book, published by Vanity Fair, has drawn negative reactions from various quarters, with one source claiming, “everyone was grossed out.” Concerns are growing about the implications of Nuzzi’s past on her credibility as a journalist.

The atmosphere surrounding Nuzzi’s hiring is further complicated by doubts about her acceptance in Hollywood circles. One insider questioned, “If you’re a man in power, and Olivia wants to do a profile, is his wife letting him talk to her?” This skepticism is compounded by reports that Nuzzi has not engaged with key industry players or undertaken significant assignments since her arrival.

As of now, Nuzzi’s focus appears to be on her book tour rather than on producing content for Vanity Fair. Reports suggest that she has not yet been assigned any new projects, raising questions about her role at the magazine. One source commented, “Even before this broke, she didn’t have a single story in the next two issues of the magazine. She never picked up her Condé Nast computer, never came to a meeting, never responded to an email she was cc’d on.”

There are growing murmurs among staff that Nuzzi might be let go before she has even had the opportunity to establish herself in her new role. “It looks like they are getting rid of her. I will not be surprised if they drop Olivia,” a source indicated.

Representatives for Vanity Fair and Condé Nast have not commented on the situation. The uncertainty surrounding Nuzzi’s future reflects broader concerns about editorial direction and the implications of personal controversies in the highly scrutinized landscape of media. As the situation develops, Wintour’s influence will likely remain a key factor in determining Nuzzi’s trajectory at Vanity Fair.