Cheryl Hines fights to protect husband RFK Jr. on ‘The View’
Cheryl Hines faced tough questions about her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., during an appearance on “The View,” even though she was expected to talk about her upcoming memoir, “Unscripted.”
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The former fiancé of Olivia Nuzzi, the journalist accused of a sexting scandal with Robert Kennedy Jr., has accused Nuzzi of having an affair with former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford during his campaign for the 2020 Republican presidential nomination.
Ryan Rizza’s account, published in a Nov. 17 Substack post, “Part 1: How I Known,” came days after Nuzzi was profiled in the New York Times. The Times article delved into the details of the RFK Jr. scandal. And an excerpt from Nuzzi’s upcoming tell-all book, American Canto, was also published in Vanity Fair on November 17th. RFK Jr.’s wife Sheryl Hines recently addressed the alleged scandal in her memoir, which People magazine summarized.
The situation is chaotic and the internet is also being used.
“We all should know more,” one reader quipped about X.
“You’ll want to read this piece Ryan Rizza wrote about his relationship with Olivia Nuzzi before all the crazy unfolds,” another posted.
Relationship therapists and media experts say lessons can be learned from the influx of different perspectives, including when it’s appropriate to take the story into your own hands and how sharing relationship details can be both healing and harmful.
“Sharing your version of events can be empowering because it makes you feel more in control of the narrative,” says Amy Morin, psychotherapist and author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.
Melvin Williams, an associate professor of communication and media studies at Pace University, explains that there are also economic incentives for “telling everything.”
“We exist in a literary climate where memoirs detailing the alleged misconduct of politicians are extremely lucrative for writers, especially when they involve disgraceful events, heartbreaking stories, and professional and personal misconduct,” he says.
But Morin warns of potential downsides.
“You also have no control over how the information is received and will likely be subject to public scrutiny,” she says.
When to reveal relationship secrets
Sharing your side of an affair, relationship rift, or scandal can help you feel safe. Being able to explain certain events or clarify misconceptions may give you some control over your reputation, Morin explains.
But without emotional support, it can “open up old wounds” and “make you feel even more alone.” It can also affect your personal relationships, especially those with your associates.
“If their name is mentioned or they become part of your story, they may feel violated that their information will be made public,” Morin says. “Others may be less able to trust you in the future for fear that their information will also be made public.”
We don’t know the potential social, economic, or legal implications until we get this article out there. However, once that happens, there is no going back.
In the digital age, discussions can grow beyond stories
Robert J. Thompson, a professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University, says the “old rule of thumb” is that it’s best to tell your own story before anyone else tells it. Twenty years ago, we didn’t have as much access to scandals and repeat life stories. I could cover Oprah and write a memoir that people might buy. Now, with just a few clicks, you can access blogs, TikTok storytimes, and countless social media platforms.
“This particular story involves all the characters,” Thompson says of Nuzi’s alleged involvement. “Each version affects each character’s health in different ways.”
Williams added that Nuzzi’s use of his memoir to profit from disclosing “private information about political figures” is “not revolutionary, but rather a continuation of an existing trend.”
Morin concludes that while it may make sense to share confessions publicly if you “want to inspire others” or “advocate for change,” it “doesn’t make sense if you’re sharing just for revenge or trying to ‘win’ something by sharing your side.”
Either way, be prepared for scrutiny.
