Journalist Olivia Nuzzi is turning heads with her upcoming memoir, American Canto, set to drop December 2. In a preview published by The New York Times on November 14, Nuzzi offers an intimate look at a personal and alleged digital relationship with former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as the public fallout that rocked her career.
According to Nuzzi, the story began after a deep-dive interview for New York magazine in November 2023. At the time, Kennedy was married to actress Cheryl Hines, while Nuzzi was engaged to fellow political journalist Ryan Lizza. Nuzzi, 32, reportedly wrote the book in secret after relocating to Los Angeles.
American Canto details what Nuzzi describes as a digital, emotionally intense relationship rather than a physical one. She claims Kennedy, 39 years her senior, was the first to say “I love you,” affectionately called her “Livvy,” wrote her poems, and even promised he would “take a bullet” for her. The memoir also suggests Kennedy expressed a desire to have a child with her. Despite these intimate confessions, Nuzzi emphasizes that their relationship was never physically consummated. She writes about a unique bond, highlighting mutual quirks and shared ideals: his favorite part of her was her mouth; hers was his nose.
The book also dives into personal disclosures: Kennedy reportedly shared his continued use of psychedelics like DMT, while Nuzzi admitted to using Adderall. She claims to have offered him campaign advice and moral support during political challenges.
The alleged romance became public in September 2024, igniting a dramatic series of events. Nuzzi blames her former fiancé, Ryan Lizza, for leaking the information. That month, her engagement ended publicly, followed by a lawsuit against Lizza. In October 2024, after being placed on leave, Nuzzi was fired from New York magazine. She also sought a protective order against Lizza, accusing him of hacking and blackmail — claims he denied and labeled as “defamatory lies.” The protective order was later dropped.
When the scandal broke, Nuzzi reportedly tried to shield Kennedy from the backlash. She quotes him as saying, “If it’s just sex, I can survive it,” hinting at the political stakes of their alleged connection. However, she says they have not been in contact for over a year.
Despite the upheaval, Nuzzi has moved forward, taking on the role of West Coast editor at Vanity Fair. Kennedy’s team has previously said he and Nuzzi met only once for the original interview, describing the resulting article as a “hit piece.” PEOPLE magazine reported that Kennedy did not immediately respond to inquiries about the new allegations in American Canto.
Beyond the alleged relationship, Nuzzi’s memoir promises an insider’s look into “Trumpworld”, revealing behind-the-scenes experiences from her career in political journalism alongside her personal journey.
