Cheryl Hines and RFK Jr have 'barely spoken' since Olivia Nuzzi affair scandal, fueling divorce rumors
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The relationship between Cheryl Hines, 59, and her husband, Robert F Kennedy Jr, 70, is facing significant strain following the revelation of Kennedy's alleged "personal relationship" with Olivia Nuzzi, 31, sparking rumors of divorce.
Sources claim the couple has "barely spoken" in the two weeks since New York Magazine reported that Nuzzi had been placed on leave amid the scandal.
“She's embarrassed because he got caught,” the insider reveals, noting that Hines has been in Europe since the news broke, possibly seeking distance from the turmoil.
Olivia Nuzzi acknowledges personal relationship with former reporting subject
Olivia Nuzzi, a journalist at New York Magazine, who was put on leave, admitted to the editors that she had "entered into a personal relationship with a former subject related to the 2024 campaign."
She released a statement acknowledging that "the nature of some communication" with "a former reporting subject became personal," but stressed that the "relationship was never physical and should have been disclosed to avoid any appearance of a conflict," reported People.
In an unexpected turn, Nuzzi has accused her ex-fiance, Ryan Lizza, of leaking information regarding her alleged relationship with Kennedy.
She claimed in court documents that he "explicitly threatened to disclose personal information about me to ruin my life, career, and reputation." Lizza has strongly denied these accusations.
A mutual friend has alleged that the 31-year-old reporter "bombarded" Kennedy with explicit photos and videos and manipulated him into unblocking her number, despite her assertion that their relationship was "never physical."
Kennedy, 70, has enlisted security expert Gavin de Becker to conduct an investigation, considering the potential for both civil and criminal litigation.
However, some close to the former presidential candidate suspect that Nuzzi "set him up."
Cheryl Hines stays busy in Europe amid scandal
Just days before the affair was revealed, Cheryl Hines was spotted having a great time at the HBO/Max Primetime Emmy Awards Afterparty at the San Vicente Bungalows in LA, where she was said to be "in good spirits" alongside her 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' co-star, Jeff Garlin.
Since the scandal erupted, Hines has been active in Europe, attending several shows during Milan Fashion Week. The actress was spotted on September 21, the same day New York Magazine published its report, alongside her daughter, Catherine Young.
During the Gucci show, she was also seen supporting her estranged husband's daughter, Kyra Kennedy, who walked the runway.
Hines celebrated her birthday on September 21, sharing moments with both of her daughters on social media, captioning a photo, "Me & my girls."
Soon after, she and Catherine traveled to Paris for additional Fashion Week events, where she was seen entering a party with a ring on her left hand.
Interestingly, Hines had previously worn two rings, but in the recent photograph, she was only wearing the smaller one.
