Vanity Fair cuts ties with journalist Brittany Romano

Vanity Fair has ended its professional relationship with freelance journalist Brittany Romano following a viral video from the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. The footage, which circulated widely on social media, showed Romano smiling and winking toward a camera during the courtroom proceedings.

Vanity Fair stated that the decision followed “clear conflicts with our editorial standards and processes.” The magazine had originally intended to publish a personal essay by Romano regarding her history of growing up with the accused, Lindsay Clancy. The publication confirmed it has informed the court that Romano is no longer credentialed by the magazine.

Romano has disputed the magazine’s characterization of the event, calling their framing “factually inaccurate.” She argued that as a freelancer, she was not a staff member and therefore the magazine could not formally revoke her credentials. Romano defended her behavior, stating her expressions were intended for relatives watching the broadcast and criticized the online backlash she has received.