Leadership Change at an Iconic Magazine
Radhika Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Vanity Fair since 2017, has announced she will be leaving the publication this spring. In a memo to her colleagues at Condé Nast, Jones said she feels her mission at the magazine has been accomplished. “Those who know me well know I can be a little restless once a mission is completed,” she wrote. “And I have always had a horror of staying too long at the party.” Her departure marks the end of an era that saw Vanity Fair transform into a modern, multiplatform brand while maintaining its editorial integrity and signature glamour.
Radhika Jones’s exit comes just as the publication gears up for major annual events like the Met Gala and its high-profile Oscar party. Condé Nast’s Chief Content Officer Anna Wintour praised Jones for her poise, wit, and fearless leadership. “She has shown herself to be as much at home on the red carpet as sitting front row,” Wintour said, adding that the company is beginning the search for Jones’s successor. No replacement has been named yet.
A Legacy of Growth and Transformation
Taking the reins from longtime editor Graydon Carter in 2017, Jones entered the role as something of a surprise choice. Yet under her leadership, Vanity Fair expanded significantly in the digital space. She championed bold journalism, launched successful video content, and helped establish a strong studio presence with projects on platforms like Netflix and FX. The magazine also continued its legacy of cultural relevance, producing memorable covers and commissioning powerful visual stories—such as Amy Sherald’s portrait of Breonna Taylor for the September 2020 issue.
In her farewell message, Radhika Jones reflected on the accomplishments of the past eight years, describing Vanity Fair as a thriving, contemporary media brand. “It was gratifying, but also a little jarring, to feel like I could check off those boxes,” she noted. She hinted that her next chapter will involve time with family, writing, and other creative endeavors. “I began to feel the pull of new goals,” she said.
Uncertainty Ahead Amid Industry Shifts
While Jones’s departure appears amicable, it comes at a time of broader instability in the publishing world. Advertising declines, shrinking audiences, and corporate restructuring have affected even the most prestigious titles under the Condé Nast umbrella. Sources suggest that internal dynamics and looming budget cuts may have influenced the timing of her decision. Condé Nast’s internal culture, often compared to the political maneuvering of a Roman colosseum, adds further intrigue to the story.
Meanwhile, former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter is enjoying renewed attention with the success of his memoir When the Going Was Good, which has climbed bestseller lists and sparked media appearances. As Vanity Fair prepares for its next chapter, Jones will stay on to assist with the leadership transition.
“I believe in you and in Vanity Fair,” Radhika Jones wrote to her team. “Our work has been a beacon.” Her departure leaves big shoes to fill at one of America’s most storied publications.
