Amid controversies and a quieter life since a high-profile scandal, Olivia Nuzzi has stepped back into the public eye by attending a notable event in Hollywood.
According to Page Six, this appearance highlights her ongoing association with Jessica Reed Kraus and comes amidst further unfolding of their complicated relationship.
The former New York Magazine Washington correspondent, Olivia Nuzzi, was recently seen at Musso & Frank in Hollywood, where she attended a dinner celebrating the three-year anniversary of Jessica Reed Kraus's Substack newsletter, "House Inhabit." This marked one of Nuzzi's few public appearances since the scandal involving Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which dates back to her departure from the magazine in October.
The dinner brought together 21 individuals from various circles, highlighting Kraus's influence and network within the independent media space. This event was particularly notable due to Nuzzi's presence, as she has maintained a low profile since the allegations surfaced.
At the event, the organizers introduced Nuzzi in a way that hinted at her deeper connection with Kraus, describing her not only as a muse but also as a "sometimes ghost collaborator." This introduction sparked interest among the guests, hinting at an intricate relationship between the two women.
Olivia Nuzzi's exit from New York Magazine followed a tumultuous period marked by allegations of inappropriate communications with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known political figure. While Kennedy and his team have consistently denied these claims, asserting that their only in-person meeting was for a professional profile story, the rumors added a layer of controversy to Nuzzi's career.
Subsequently, Nuzzi relocated to Los Angeles where she has since tried to steer clear of the media spotlight. Her appearance at Kraus’s dinner, however, suggests a desire to maintain connections within the media landscape despite the past issues.
These events come after Nuzzi was also spotted at another gathering in November at the elite San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood, which marked one of her first public outings post-scandal.
Jessica Reed Kraus shared her thoughts during the dinner, reflecting on the complexities of their relationship. She expressed conflicted feelings about their friendship, especially in light of the ongoing scandal involving Nuzzi. Kraus commented on the dynamic changes in their relationship, suggesting an unexpected reconnection after Nuzzi’s public retreat.
"As this scandal unfolds, I find myself questioning the very instincts that led me to trust [Nuzzi] as a friend in the first place," Kraus revealed, depicting Nuzzi as overly enamored with Kennedy, which clouded her journalistic objectivity.
During a previous incident at a Christmas party, when asked about Nuzzi's presence, Kraus replied, "Fair question. All I’ll say is that in the months following the scandal Olivia had spent in hiding, we reconnected on the West Coast. A twist neither of us saw coming, nor prepared to expand in greater detail."
The dinner also served as a moment for Kraus to discuss her role in covering Nuzzi's scandal. She had previously reported on the situation sympathetically, often placing RFK Jr. in a somewhat favorable light despite the contentious nature of his involvement with Nuzzi. This approach has, according to some accounts, influenced how the story has been perceived by her readership.
Kraus acknowledged the difficulties in dealing with public scandals, especially when they involve close friends. "Regarding the current ‘situation,’ I hope you consider how difficult it is to publicly address a scandal involving a friend," she stated during one of her reflections.
Moreover, Kraus detailed the genesis of their friendship which began unexpectedly in November 2023 and quickly captured the interest of her audience, illustrating an unusual bridge between mainstream and independent media sectors.
While specific details about their future collaborative endeavors remain under wraps, the hints dropped during the dinner suggest that there might be more to come between Nuzzi and Kraus. The notion of Nuzzi serving as Kraus’s muse and collaborator points towards a potentially evolving partnership that could impact both of their careers moving forward.
The dinner not only celebrated the success of Kraus’s Substack but also seemed to mark a turning point in both their personal and professional lives, possibly setting the stage for future projects that could redefine their roles within the media landscape.
As the story continues to develop, the media and public alike are keenly watching how this partnership will evolve, particularly how it will influence Nuzzi's attempts to navigate her career past the scandal that has marked her recent years.
