Could it be over before it began.
Olivia Nuzzi allegedly didnât even get to pick up her Conde Nast laptop yet, as rumors swirl that sheâs going to be out at Vanity Fair. But sources say no decision has yet been made on her fate.
One source told Page Six, âIt looks like they are getting rid of her,â while another said, âI will not be surprised if they drop Olivia.â
Another source sniffed, âEven before this broke, she didnât have a single story in the next two issues of the magazine. She never picked up her CondĂ© Nast computer, never came to a meeting, never responded to an email she was ccâd on.â
The insider added, âThe only thing she âeditedâ in the Hollywood issue got cut.â
(Though an excerpt from her book does appear in the issue.) Â Â
The former New York Magazine star â who exited the mag after the alleged affair came to light â is releasing her new book, âAmerican Canto,â this week, detailing her dalliance with the presidential hopeful and the messy fallout.
Nuzzi, 32, was brought on as West Coast editor of Vanity Fair in September. Â
Now it appears Nuzzi may have lost her chance to resurrect her magazine career at Condé Nast.
At the same time as her book was about to drop, Nuzziâs ex-fiancĂ©, fellow political reporter Ryan Lizza, has also been publishing his own serialized scorched earth essays via Substack filled with wild accusations.
We hear Nuzziâs alleged exit is unlikely to have any effect on the magazine thatâs headed by new editorial boss, Mark Guiducci, who has been trying to put his stamp on the publication.
Another source tells us Nuzziâs role âwas always going to be a vanity title,â no pun intended.
âShe was never going to be an actual editor,â says another source. âIt was going to be all about her looking glam at the Oscars party.â
Semaforâs Max Tani reported that VF is likely to just let Nuzziâs new contract run out.Â
Said the report: âTwo CondĂ© Nast insiders said the publication and CondĂ© Nast execs have been disturbed by the allegations in their totality, and are likely to let her temporary contract expire.â
We further hear that staff are âembarrassedâ and want Nuzzi off the masthead.
âEveryone wants her out, with the possible exception of Mark [Guiducci],â says the source. âEveryone is constantly texting about how embarrassing this is.â
âKeeping her at this point would be suicidal,â says a source.
But another source tells us Nuzziâs status on the masthead has not changed â and there has been no final decision. âEverything is still unfolding,â says the source. âThey are still reviewing everything.âÂ
The New York Times reported that Nuzzi and Guiducci met at the exclusive San Vicente Bungalows, and the Sunset Tower, last July, staying late and, âtalking about the old glamour of magazines and how to reinvent that in the digital era.â
It was not until after he was granted permission by the CondĂ© Nast execs to hire her, âthat they learned she was about to land back in the news with the publication of âAmerican Canto,ââ added the report.
Lizza has also claimed the Nuzzi had an affair with former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford.
Nuzziâs lawyer, Ari Wilkenfeld, said in a statement: âIn âAmerican Canto,â Ms. Nuzzi discusses the only instance in her long career as a journalist in which she had an improper relationship with someone she was covering.â
A rep for Vanity Fair said at the time, Â âWe were taken by surprise, and we are looking at all the facts.â
Nuzziâs book is out from Avid Press on Dec. 2.
Vanity Fair and Nuzzi did not respond to requests for comment. Sources said the Nuzzi would have been making âover $200Kâ for the gig.
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