Engaged NY Mag political reporter Olivia Nuzzi stunned the political world when she confessed to having an inappropriate “personal relationship” with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is married, during his presidential campaign.
Nuzzi claimed the relationship was not physical, and a representative for RFK Jr. said the two only met in person once, leading many to wonder how they could have become so close. The pair may have been engaged in an “emotional affair”, experts say, and it’s more common than you think.
“An emotional attachment is when one partner begins to form a deep emotional connection with someone outside of their relationship. It’s not just a regular friendship; it often involves a level of intimacy and secrecy that can destroy a relationship or marriage,” Amber Soletti, dating and relationship expert and founder of Single and the City, told The Post.
“You may find yourself sharing personal thoughts, feelings and experiences with this other person — things you would normally reserve for your partner,” Soletti added.
Sources told The Post that Nuzzi and RFK Jr. were having “sex” with each other, which Soletti said is common in emotional affairs and can lead to disastrous consequences for a relationship.
Although some may think that an emotional affair is less serious than sexual infidelity, Soletti said they can be “just as bad, if not worse” and feel like the “ultimate betrayal.”
“A physical relationship can be when one does not even know the person’s name or much about that person. An emotional relationship goes much deeper.”
People enter emotional affairs because they feel unfulfilled or are looking for something their relationship isn’t providing them, relationship expert Rachel DeAlto told The Post.
“Emotional issues can fill many needs, they can make someone feel wanted, feel connected. If that’s what they’re looking for, they don’t need something physical.”
These relationships can be even “more intimate” than physical relationships, according to DeAlto.
“Emotional issues hit deeper and especially in cases where your significant other has shared personal details about you and your relationship with this person they’re emotionally cheating with,” Soletti added.
The main red flag to watch out for if you suspect your partner is having an affair is if “they start acting shady,” according to dating expert Grace Lee.
“Disappearing for long periods of time, smiling at their phone when they get a text or being evasive when asked for details about this ‘friend,'” are all signs of an emotional affair, Lee said.
“Increasing secrecy about their phone, social media or location can be a big red flag,” DeAlto said.
Lee said people are drawn to emotional issues because of their “depressing” and “escapist” qualities.
“Because this person isn’t in your real life, it’s easy to idealize what that relationship would be.”
RFK Jr. is married to Curb Your Enthusiasm with Cheryl Hines. This is not the first time that his actions put the actress in an uncomfortable situation.
When Kennedy suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, his wife was viciously attacked online by her Hollywood peers.
“I deeply respect the decision Bobby made to run on the principle of unity,” Hines said. “Over the past year and a half, I’ve met some incredible people from all parties — Democrats, Republicans, and independents. It has been my experience that the vast majority of all parties are genuinely good people who want the best for our country and for each other.”
Nuzzi is engaged to former New Yorker political reporter Ryan Lizza. Lizza was fired from The New Yorker in 2017 amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
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