What is an emotional affair? Here’s why RFK Jr. and Olivia Nuzzi’s relationship could be the ‘ultimate betrayal’
New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi stunned the political world when she confessed to having an inappropriate “personal relationship” with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is married, while covering him during his presidential campaign.
Nuzzi, who was engaged at the time of the “relationship,” claimed it wasn’t physical, and a rep for RFK Jr. said the two only met in person once, leading many to ask how they could have gotten so close. The pair may have been engaged in an “emotional affair,” experts say, and it’s more common than you might think.
“An emotional affair is when one partner starts forming a deep, emotional bond with someone outside 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 might find yourself sharing personal thoughts, feelings and experiences with this other person —things you’d usually reserve for your partner,” Soletti added.
Sources told The Post that Nuzzi and RFK Jr. were “sexting” one another, which Soletti said is common in emotional affairs and could lead to catastrophic consequences for a relationship.
Though some may think an emotional affair is less severe than sexual cheating, Soletti said that it can be “just as bad, if not worse,” and can feel like the “ultimate betrayal.”
“A physical relationship could be where someone doesn’t even know the person’s name or much about the person,” she said. “An emotional relationship runs much deeper.”
People enter into emotional affairs because they are feeling unfulfilled or are seeking something their own relationship isn’t providing them, relationship expert Rachel DeAlto told The Post.
“Emotional affairs can fulfill a lot of needs,” DeAlto said. “It can make someone feel desired, feel connected. If that’s what they’re seeking, they don’t need something physical.”
These relationships can be even “more intimate” than physical relationships, according to DeAlto.
And an even “deeper” pain can occur if your partner has “shared personal details about you and your relationship with this person they are emotionally cheating with,” Soletti added.
The top red flag to look out for if you suspect your partner is having an emotional affair is if “they start acting shady,” according to dating expert Grace Lee.
“Disappearing for too long, 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.
“Increased secrecy about their phone, social media or whereabouts can be a major red flag,” DeAlto concurred.
Lee said people are drawn to emotional affairs because of their “wistful” 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” star Cheryl Hines. This is not the first time his actions have put the actress in an uncomfortable spot.
When Kennedy suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, his wife was attacked viciously online by her Hollywood peers.
“I deeply respect the decision Bobby made to run on the principle of unity,” Hines said in a statement. “Over the last year and a half, I have met some extraordinary people from all parties — Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. It’s been my experience that the vast majority of all parties are truly good people who want the best for our country and for each other.”
Nuzzi was engaged to political reporter Ryan Lizza. He was fired from The New Yorker in 2017 amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
