Vanity Fair UK 07.08 2022_downmagaz.net-1

J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 97

When 23-year-old BRIAN LAUNDRIE and his 22-year-old girlfriend GABBY PETITO went hiking, Brian insisted on walking barefoot. If it were up to him, Brian said, he wouldn’t even harder and could make as much as $700,000 in 1. @gabspetito (Gabby’s own shoes. He’d become intent on “living with less” six months.12 Gabby didn’t need a lot of money; Instagram) and encouraged Gabby to join him in a more natural she just wanted a chance to support herself while 2. ibid. lifestyle. He wanted her to “build up” her feet so living her dreams, and now the first step, a chance 3. National Park Service that she, too, could ditch her shoes at the campsite.1 for a potential sponsorship, was right at her feet. 4. Moab (Utah) Police Department body cam Sometimes Gabby humored him and slipped While Brian stood at the edge of the crowd, video (YouTube) off her shoes during their walks. But she would likely waiting for someone to ask him how he’d 5. Brian and Gabby left inevitably put them back on.2 The grounds of the hiked all that way barefoot, Gabby launched into on July 2, according to national parks were blisteringly hot and rife with a well-received presentation to everyone below Newsweek, and were in black widow spiders.3 There was also the matter of about how “awesome” her shoes were.13 Later, REI Arches National Park dirty feet; Brian and Gabby were on a cross-coun- would reach out to her directly, saying they hoped by August 9, according to try road trip in a small van. When Brian returned the rest of her hike had gone well.14 Gabby’s Instagram. to the campsite barefoot, he tracked dirt into the 6. National Park Service vehicle where they slept and made food. Gabby Brian was not as supportive. Lately, he’d been 7. timeanddate.com preferred to keep the area clean.4 trying to convince Gabby that she couldn’t make a 8. @gabspetito (Instagram) website by herself.15 Sometimes he made her feel 9. ibid. One day, about five weeks into their road trip,5 like she couldn’t do anything right.16 But now, all 10. ibid. Gabby and Brian were hiking up three miles of at once, she seemed to be on the right path. 11. “Red White & Bethune” steep terrain to the Delicate Arch, a rock forma- (YouTube) tion in Utah’s Arches National Park. As advised by Maybe Brian didn’t know everything. 12. Insider the park’s website,6 they had set out early in the 13. @gabspetito morning to try to beat the heat. But by 6 a.m., it ABOUT TWO WEEKS later, Brian drove back to Flor- (Instagram) was already 91 degrees,7and the day was only get- ida alone.17 He parked in his parents’ driveway18 14. @gabspetito ting hotter. Despite Brian’s hard-earned calluses, and stayed for about two weeks before he grabbed (Instagram). REI his bare feet likely burned. a bag and ducked back into the humid air,19 tell- commented on Gabby’s ing his mom and dad that he was off for one of post about that day: Gabby pranced beside him in her cushioned yet his usual hikes at the nearby Carlton Reserve, “looking like a great hike!” breathable REI hiking shoes. By 7 a.m., a small a 24,565-acre state park that police would later 15. Moab police body cam crowd was gathered around the Delicate Arch, describe as “vast and unforgiving.”20 video (YouTube) admiring the view. Using her rubber soles for 16. Daily Mail. Gabby’s purchase, Gabby climbed onto a bare rock to get Over the next few weeks, local law enforce- friend Rose Davis: an unobstructed photo of the arch. As she stood ment would spend $200,000 per day searching “Everything she did, I feel there snapping pictures, other tourists gathered for Brian in the endless swamps.21 They waded up like he thought was wrong.” around her.8 Gabby was beautiful, with blond hair to their chests. Water moccasins slithered past. 17. Sarasota Herald-Tribune and blue eyes that matched the turquoise stone on Alligators splashed nearby.22 The park was infested 18. New York Post her thumb ring.9 She looked good in photos. She with rattlesnakes and wild hogs. The Florida pan- 19. ibid. looked good taking photos. ther stalked there too.23 20. Newsweek 21. The Sun A man in the crowd called up to Gabby, asking Some speculated that life on the lam would be 22. Daily Mail how she liked her REI shoes. relatively easy for Brian, given his self-professed 23. carltonreserve.org camping skills.24 People who’d met him would 24. People. “He is out in Gabby got the sense that the man worked for remember him saying he’d spent months living the wilderness, I promise REI, which was exciting.10 She dreamed of trav- off the land on the Appalachian Trail.25 It was easy you,” Davis told People, eling full-time in her little Ford van, and other to picture him hunched in the bush somewhere, echoing observations people had shown it was possible, subsisting on eating gator meat with his hands and building pit from a coworker and cops sponsorships from brands just like REI, docu- fires at night to avoid sending up smoke signals. who have said Gabby’s menting their voyages in converted buses, with on-the-run boyfriend is children and dogs in tow.11 Those with moder- But others countered that perhaps Brian was capable of surviving alone ate social media followings got free camping not as outdoorsy as he seemed. His sister, Cassie, in the wilderness. gear and other supplies to feature in their posts, described his survival skills as “mediocre.”26 Law 25. Yahoo News. which defrayed carrying costs. Some charged enforcement officials went further, profiling Brian Also mentioned on $100 per 10,000 followers. Others negotiated as a spoiled boy who’d been coddled by his par- Brian’s Instagram ents far too long to withstand any of the suffering (@bizarre_design_). 26. Fox News 98 VA N I T Y FA I R

27. ibid. endured by true survivalists.27 One former FBI printed T-shirts with faces of popular animated 28. Newsweek agent theorized that Brian “may have escaped characters, like Bart Simpson and Hellboy.47 29. New York Post on a cruise ship.”28 Some said police were “chas- 30. ibid. ing a ghost.”29 “I will actually attribute all of my skill in paint- 31. Costar Astrology ing to dissecting the works of [Mike Mignola, the 32. Action News Now, So, which was it? Was Brian Laundrie a phony creator of Hellboy],” Brian later boasted. “I have KHSL of Southern who’d been eaten alive by the elements before he never attended any schooling for art, but because California could even rig a shelter? of my love of comics I never needed a second in 33. WINK of South a classroom.”48 Florida Or had he embarked on the first real adventure 34. Insider of his life, sleeping during the day, hiking at night, After entering high school, Brian decided to 35. The Sun and finally wearing shoes, so he could run? change; he adjusted his hairstyle and made a few 36. @gabspetito friends who shared his interest in “guns and stuff.”49 (Instagram), G ABBY PETITO WAS a Pisces,30 an astro- @hereweare.3 logical sign known for being bad with Still, Brian struggled socially. “Why did I say (Rose Davis’s TikTok), boundaries, excessively romantic, and that? Why did I say anything I have ever said?” he @gabspetito unable to remember, at times, wheth- sometimes wondered. “How am I supposed to tell (Gabby’s Pinterest) er something had actually happened or if she’d friends about my mental health without feeling 37. @hereweare.3 simply dreamed it.31 She loved sunflowers,32 but- like a burden?”50 38. The Sun terflies,33 the color aqua blue,34 the Beatles song 39. ibid. “Let It Be,”35 and marijuana,36 which narrowed Ultimately, Brian decided, “I gotta worry about 40. ibid. her turquoise eyes into shimmering green sliv- my zen.”51 41. @blaundrie1197 ers and made her hungry for M&Ms.37A little boy (Brian’s Pinterest) for whom Gabby babysat later described her as He got into yoga.52 He lost 40 pounds.53 42. Moab police “someone just living with rainbows.” (“She did By his junior year, he found the courage to talk body cam video things to the beat of her own drum,” his mom to Gabby Petito.54 43. Reddit agreed.38) She was beautiful, in other words, inside 44. @blaundrie1197 and out, which is another way of saying that she PERSONALITY-WISE, THE TWO were opposites. 45. @equip2survive and was kind to ugly people. Gabby was an extrovert. People described her as @tacticalintent, Pinterest a bright light,55 whereas Brian’s idea of socializ- accounts Brian followed GABBY’S CLASSMATE BRIAN Laundrie was 40 ing involved having one or two people over to play 46. New York Post pounds overweight, with an underbite that made with UV paint in the dark.56 Sometimes he hated 47. According to Brian’s it look like he kept chewing tobacco in his lower the entire human species.57 Bizarre Design posts on lip.39 He sat alone in the caf- his Instagram, Pinterest, eteria,40 identifying with the But Gabby loved the beach, and that gave them and Depop accounts phrase “Eat the spaghetti to something to discuss. When the two first started 48. @bizarre_design_ forget your regretti.”41 talking, Brian’s parents had just purchased a new 49. The Sun Florida vacation house in Sarasota County,58 50. @blaundrie1197 Brian struggled with anxi- 51. The Sun ety.42 Kids who claimed to know 52. ibid. him later described his life as 53. ibid. lonely. But over time, Brian 54. ibid. grew to like being alone. He 55. New York Post took long hikes by himself,43 56. @bizarre_design_ finding meaning in the part 57. ibid. of The Seventh Seal when Max 58. Property Shark von Sydow’s character says: “Through my indifference for people, I’ve been placed out- side of their society—now I live in a ghost world, enclosed in my dreams and imaginings.”44 Sur- vivalism fascinated him.45 Over the course of his life, Brian made more drawings than friends.46 He was a skilled copycat artist, rendering faith- ful facsimiles of his favorite cartoons and comic books. He carved linocuts of images traced from the covers of Chuck Palahniuk novels. He screen J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 99

a popular travel destination for college kids on mottled and stouter individual who is more solemn spring break. Brian’s parents owned a couple and occasionally disappears to be by himself.67 of properties, actually.59 The one in North Port, Florida, had a swimming pool, and Brian had his So Brian and Gabby became friends—and own bedroom there, with a life-size Darth Vader perhaps to Brian’s chagrin, they would stay just helmet on one of the shelves (Gabby loved Star friends for years. Wars60). He also had a baseball hat collection, and a patriotic, red-white-and-blue gun, decorated in MORE THAN 90 percent of graduates from Bay- stars and stripes.61 port-Blue Point High School went on to attend college.68 But in keeping with their reputations as Gabby and Brian differed in their views on guns. nonconformists, Gabby and Brian decided on a Brian’s family collected them,62 while Gabby had different route; after graduation, Gabby embarked Gabby was HAPPY TO INVEST more in the trip. But when she started He didn’t want Gabby to work; he wanted her once starred in a local artist’s low-budget music to Cape Fear, North Carolina, allegedly to follow 59. ibid. video, “Irreplaceable,” commemorating the 2012 a boyfriend,69 while Brian found work at a local 60. @petitojoseph Sandy Hook shooting.63 Long Island garden center, where he lectured his (Gabby’s father Joseph’s coworker Michael on the benefits of yoga and Instagram) But the two agreed on certain fundamentals: was known for always having clean hands despite 61. New York Post Littering was bad.64 the fact that part of his job was supposed to entail 62. Insider Forensic Files, a television show about violent working with plants and soil.70 63. New York Post crimes that are solved using forensic science, 64. @bizarre_design_, was good.65 “I thought he was this weirdo,” Michael later @gabspetito (Instagram) They reminded each other of Frog and Toad,66a recalled. “He never came across as the kind of 65. Daily Mail collection of children’s stories about two seemingly person that would be the killing type. But he did 66. @gabspetito incompatible best friends: a sleek, dashing frog, have that tendency to be—I don’t wanna say the (Pinterest), @blaundrie1197 who is demonstrative and cheerful, and a toad, a wrong thing and make him sound worse than he 67. Frog and Toad 68. Bayport-Blue Point already is—he was kind of a High School’s entry guy who would get pissed off on the Department of pretty quick.”71 Education website 69. Reddit In Cape Fear, Gabby worked 70. Fox News at a seaside restaurant called 71. ibid. Smoke on the Water, where 72. WNCN of North she made countless friends72 Carolina and worked in a hot kitchen, 73. Smoke on the Water frying pickles and smoking website brisket.73 Eventually, her pretty 74. WNCN face and sparkling personal- 75. Reddit ity earned her a front-of-house 76. Property Shark hostess position. She loved the 77. Reddit ocean and the Carolina Beach 78. ibid. Boardwalk. She applied to Cape 79. ibid. Fear Community College but 80. WNCN never enrolled.74 81. Summers in North Carolina are objectively At the time, Brian was alleg- more beautiful than winters edly couch surfing back in in Long Island. Long Island.75 His parents had 82. @ThatOneGood sold their home and taken off Vibe (Gabby’s Twitter) to Florida,76 leaving Brian, who 83. @gabspetito wanted to stay in Bayport, to (Instagram) live off generous former class- 84. People mates.77 By then, he’d made 85. Daily Mail a few close female friends, all 86. Fox News of whom considered him “like 87. ibid. a brother.”78 Brian lived with 88. Vox 89. Fox News 100 VA N I TY FA I R

one of those girls for six months and continued They drove from Long Island to California, stop- couch surfing until Gabby returned home.79 ping in Texas,90 where Gabby wore sweatpants that said “Stop Looking at My Dick,”91 and Colorado, It was almost as if he was waiting for her. where Gabby raved about the marijuana.92 With a lollipop in one hand and a vape pen in the other, G ABBY RETURNED TO Suffolk County in she climbed Pike’s Peak until the air around her felt January 2019.80 Winter on the South thin.93 While Brian drove the Nissan Sentra, she sat Shore of Long Island paled in compari- in the passenger seat, a blunt pinched between her son to what Gabby had seen in Cape thumb and forefinger. Green prairie whipped by Fear.81 She longed to travel again. Ever since on either side. Sorry, New York, she thought, but meeting Brian during her sophomore year, she’d you’re nothing compared to this.94 At night, they working 50 hours a week at Taco Bell, BRIAN WAS FURIOUS. to spend ALL HER TIME with him. 90. @gabspetito felt like, “I just wanna do fun, cute adventurous slept in Walmart parking lots, reclined in Gabby’s (Instagram) shit with someone.”82 Nissan, and watched shooting stars through the 91. ibid. windshield.95 The trip ended at the Santa Monica 92. ibid. Brian felt the same. Pier, where they rode what Brian called “a Ferris 93. ibid. The two started hooking up that July. For their Wheel with a serious view,”96 and Gabby asked Bri- 94. ibid. first real date, they ate sushi on the beach, wear- an to photograph her standing in front of Zoltar, an 95. Moab police body ing aqua blue sweatshirts that matched Gabby’s animatronic fortune-telling machine.97 After the cam video eyes.83 To Gabby and Brian’s high school friends, Santa Monica Pier reposted the photo on its official 96. @bizarre_design_ the relationship seemed toxic from the start. “One Instagram page,98 Gabby started to think that she 97. Zoltar.org minute, they’d be all over each other,” a friend later might be able to make it as a travel blogger.99 98. @santamonicapier recalled, “the next minute, he’d be like, ‘We’re (Instagram) fighting.’ They always had some drama.”84 Meanwhile, Brian likely wondered when Gabby 99. @gabspetito As someone who lit up a room, Gabby inspired would post a picture of him. For the entire trip, (Instagram) envy wherever she went. Her female friends from he’d been taking portraits of Gabby, which she 100. @bizarre_design_ high school were more like enemies. At best, they posted on Instagram. But Gabby would not upload 101. ibid. wanted to be her, and at worst, they sneered at any photos of Brian until March 17, 2020, nearly 102. New York Post Gabby, pushing her away when she came to them eight months into their relationship. High school 103. @bizarre_design_ with problems.85 “Why can’t I have a relation- acquaintances who followed their 2019 cross- “Hand painted piano ship like that?” they wondered whenever things country trip online were likely surprised to learn done by my fiance between Gabby and Brian seemed to be going that Brian had been on the journey at all. and me.” well—but when the relationship was rocky, the 104. Property Shark, same girls ridiculed, “Oh, my God, just break up At times, Brian might have felt uncertain about 5100 Linksman Place, and spare yourself from the drama and everyone whether he was Gabby’s boyfriend or her photog- North Port, Florida else from having to hear about it.”86 rapher. He surveyed the dirty, polluted streets of 34287 No one doubted that Brian, in his own suffo- Los Angeles and decided, “LA sucks.”100 105. @hereweare.3 cating way, loved Gabby.87 But his insecurities (Rose Davis’s TikTok); warped his idea of what counted as “roman- But on the windy beach in Santa Monica, Gab- @bizarre_design_ tic.”88 When Gabby visited Brian at the garden by’s hair tickled his face. The blue sky reflected (Brian’s Instagram); center and chatted with Michael, Brian would in her sunglasses—and it hit Brian that he’d never @NomadicStatik (Brian come up behind her, draping one of his conspic- loved anyone so much in his entire life.101 and Gabby’s TikTok) uously clean hands over Gabby’s shoulder, and photos of windows and pull her in for a kiss that left everyone but him Almost as soon as they arrived back to Long floors match interiors feeling awkward.89 Island, Brian convinced Gabby to move with him from property listing It likely upset Brian that Gabby’s parents still to Florida. They could stay at one of his parents’ for 5100 Linksman thought the two were friends. Why was Gabby properties, rent-free, and spend all their time Place, North Port, keeping him a secret? together, like an extension of their road trip. Florida 34287, sold in Brian wanted everyone to know that Gabby March 2021. At the belonged to him. AT FIRST IT was fun. Gabby and Brian hung ham- time of their road trip That fall, a decision was made: Brian and Gab- mocks on the beach,102 and painted flowers on an later that July, Brian and by would quit their jobs and travel full-time for a old piano they found on the street.103 But not long Gabby were living few months. after they relocated south, Brian’s parents sold with Brian’s parents on the condo104 where Gabby and Brian had been Wabasso Avenue, staying105 for free,106 forcing them to move in with according to Gabby’s Brian’s parents, who lived in a small yellow house and Brian’s respective families, as reported in multiple news outlets. 106. Rose Davis TikTok Live, as reported in The Sun. J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 101

surrounded by lawn ornaments.107 To secure his to work; he wanted her to spend all her time hold on Gabby, Brian proposed marriage. Gabby with him. said yes.108 But Brian had no way to support his fiancée. He sold bookmarks online for $4,109 Then Gabby and her new friend Rose, whom and hadn’t had a real job in months.110 While Gabby had met online,121 made plans to attend researching alternative living arrangements, he ladies’ night at a local line-dancing joint. Brian briefly considered moving with Gabby into a stor- pleaded with Gabby to stay home. When that age container,111 but even that option turned out didn’t work, he screamed at her. But Gabby to be prohibitively expensive.112 grabbed her purse and left anyway. Luckily, there was a solution to Brian’s prob- When Gabby was on her way to pick up Rose, lem: a new craze called Van Life. Couples across she discovered that Brian had taken her ID. Gabby drove home to confront him.122 Visitors to Bridger-Teton were NOT SUPPOSED TO CAMP outside view of the surrounding mountains. And there was the globe were making the decision to downsize The fight escalated; Brian pushed her; she 107. Photos of 4343 their lives, trailblazing across countries in vans slapped him.123 To Brian’s frustration, Gabby fled Wabasso Ave., North Port, and filming the adventure for their followers on to Rose’s house. Florida 34287, posted social media. by various news outlets There, Gabby confided in Rose that Brian 108. @gabspetito Surely, Brian could convince Gabby to take the suffered from what Gabby called “episodes,” in (Instagram) “Brian asked leap with him. She was an aspiring travel blogger. which he heard voices and couldn’t fall asleep me to marry him and It was a win-win situation. because they were so distracting. She told Rose I said yes!” that she and Brian fought a lot and that the fights 109. “Bizarre Designs” I N DECEMBER 2020,113 Gabby, who’d been sometimes turned physical—but never anything (Brian’s Depop account) working consistently since her 2017 res- outright violent, Gabby said, and she blamed her- 110. People taurant job in North Carolina, purchased self for the altercations.124 111. Fifteen pins on Brian’s a Ford Transit Connect van in her own Pinterest board, “Our name.114 Over the next few months, she and Brian Sensing Gabby was holding something back, House,” are of converted worked hard to convert it into something resem- Rose said, “You need to tell me the deep of what storage containers. bling what they’d seen online.115 The popular happened.” When Gabby wouldn’t, Rose gently 112. TinyHouseListings.com Van Life vans had bathrooms and butcher-block coaxed Gabby to reconsider her engagement 113. Gabby and Brian countertops. to Brian. posted pictures from Santa Monica (their first But it soon became clear that Brian and Gab- “You’re young and Brian is a little controlling,” road trip) in March by’s van was too tiny for the “tiny home” they had Rose said, hastening to add, “But do whatever 2020. They became envisioned. It had an extraneous row of seats in makes you happy, and I’m here to support you.” engaged in July 2020. the middle.116 The remaining space in the back 114. The New York Times was too small even for Gabby, who was five feet Meanwhile, Brian stewed. Luring Gabby away 115. Nancy Grace, five,117 to stand up or lie down.118 from Long Island, into a house where she would Fox Nation not need to pay rent, had likely ensured in his mind 116. Ford.com listing for Even if they gutted the middle seats, an expen- that he would finally have Gabby to himself, with Ford Transit Connect. The sive process, a single mattress would fill up the no outside obligations like family, friends, or work van has two rows of entire vehicle.119 Where would they stuff their to divide her attention. Later, a longtime criminal seats—five seats total. bags and their camping stove? Maybe they could profiler would say he suspected that Brian’s “entire Gabby and Brian needed build custom storage under the bed…but that cost self-worth” was rooted in the relationship with only two seats. money too. Gabby, and that without her, “he’s got nothing.”125 117. Missing persons flier, NPS.gov Reality hit hard: They had sunk Gabby’s sav- Then, in June 2021, Gabby’s dad moved from 118. YouTube “Nomadic ings into a van that was essentially the same as New York to Vero Beach, Florida, in part to be closer Statik,” Gabby and Gabby’s Nissan Sentra, only with a bigger trunk. to Gabby.126 Gabby’s family didn’t know about the Brian’s one and only Van There would be no kitchenette or toilet. They screaming and shoving, but Gabby had confided Life video, shows Gabby would need to cook and poop outside. in her mom, Nichole, that she felt like things were enjoying a snack in the moving too fast—Gabby had been excited at first, back of the van. To fit, she Gabby was happy to invest more in the trip. she said, when Brian had initially proposed to sat down, with little leg But when she started working 50 hours a week her, but now she was starting to think, “We’re very room to spare. at Taco Bell, Brian was furious.120 The idea of young.”127 Gabby even told Nichole that she and 119. EatSleepWild.com her ringing up burritos and jumbo Sprites for Brian weren’t engaged anymore—they were back to 120. People other men likely irked him. He didn’t want Gabby being boyfriend and girlfriend—though whether or 121. Daily Mail not Gabby ever shared this with Brian is unknown. 122. ibid. 123. ibid. 124. ibid. 125. Fox News 126. Daily Mail 127. ibid. 102 VA NI TY FA I R

That same month, Brian decided that he trailing the van for about a mile. He wondered and Gabby would start the road trip early. They aloud if the driver was intoxicated. embarked on July 2, 2021.128 Once Brian pulled onto the shoulder of the ONE MONTH LATER, blistering heat, stinging flies, road, Robbins parked behind him and approached and unrelenting wildfire smoke were conspir- on foot. ing to drive Brian insane.129 Sleeping in a tent, on account of the van’s cramped quarters, offered Gabby rolled down the passenger window, her little protection from smoke inhalation, which face red and wet with tears, and apologized pro- is known to cause neurological issues, like stress fusely. Brian smiled as if nothing was wrong. and confusion.130 Worse, Gabby’s attention was “How come you’re crying?” Robbins asked Gabby. Brian eyed Gabby warily from the driver’s seat. designated areas. But Gabby and Brian’s LOCATION BOASTED a scenic NO ONE AROUND to hear them fighting. divided between him and her phone, as she gen- “Some personal issues,” she said. erated content for Instagram, YouTube, and 128. The New York Times TikTok. That she’d finally started posting “It was a long day,” Brian interjected, talking so 129. timeanddate.com; pictures of him, along with loving captions, did little Fox News; Brian’s to lessen Brian’s anger. The whole point of the road fast that Robbins would later ponder whether he statements to police on trip, in his mind, was to isolate Gabby, but thanks to body cam video on the internet, she was connected to the world. might be on drugs. “Flies and stuff.” August 12 130. “The Negative The tension between them first snapped Robbins invited Gabby to talk to him in private. Impact of Wildfire on August 12, when Gabby retreated to an air- Smoke on Mental conditioned coffee shop in Moab for six hours She stood hunched near Robbins’s squad car, Health,” an aggregate to toil on their Van Life website while Brian of studies on seethed across the table, pissed off at how “OCD” unable to stop crying, already blaming herself VeryWellMind.com Gabby was being.131 Finally, he 131. The ensuing account snatched Gabby’s phone and for the altercation. “It’s just…some days, I have comes from the Moab keys, and made for the van, Police Department body threatening to abandon her. really bad OCD.” It was unclear whether a doctor cam videos unless When Gabby caught up with otherwise noted. him on Main Street and lunged or Brian had diagnosed her with the disease. 132. Statement on for her phone, Brian slapped Investigative Review of her in the face. Sounding kind and patient, Robbins asked Aug. 12 Petito-Laundrie Incident A passing driver saw the slap about the road trip. CONTINUED ON PAGE 117 and called 911, watching as Bri- an slid into the van and started the engine. Somehow, before he could drive away, Gabby managed to wriggle across his lap into the vehicle. Who knows what they talked about, speeding out of Moab. Brian was driving at 45 mph in a 15-mph zone. It wasn’t long before police lights flashed in their rearview mirror. AS A RESULT of the 911 call, police were on the lookout for a white van with Florida plates. Officer Daniel Scott Robbins, who was nearing the end of his police training,132 had been J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 103

FOR JASON BRASSARD, GAMES WERE LIFE— A THRIVING BUSINESS AND A TRANSPORTIVE HOBBY, O N E H E’D M A N I F E ST E D I N TO A FA M E D PR I VAT E COLLECTION. UNTIL THE NIGHT HE GOT GAMED 104 VA N I TY FA I R

Place Invaders BY JUSTIN HECKERT ILLUSTRATIONS BY QUICKHONEY J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 105

HE TRIES HIS best to forget about the safe. Other collectors had rare games, sure, commute that usually allowed an oppor- But when he has a few free minutes and but in the back room of his store, and tunity for his thoughts to drift, work with is cleaning the pins of old Nintendo car- especially in the safe, he was proud to video games never being something tridges with rubbing alcohol and Q-tips, own 10,000 of what he described as to cause him stress. But he was terrified a little piece of him dies every time he “cherry” copies—his preferred term for now, his hand pressed into the car horn to thinks about how he could’ve been so virgin condition. The cardboard on his warn other drivers to stay away. A phone naive. When he ran the place, he would Super Nintendo games was still crispy, call had startled him awake, the Jefferson man the counter from a swivel chair next as collectors like to say. His Sega Gen- County alarm company telling him the to the cash register, a can of Diet Coke by esis and Master System games were as front door of the store was open. He knew the keyboard of his desktop computer, pristine in their clamshells as if they had he would beat the police there. his palms at the edge of a Super Mario been hanging from the racks at KB Toys. World mouse pad. He’d lined his shelves And he knew it’d be the newer games, with Pokémon and PAC-MAN figurines, Nothing about the store’s appearance he could feel it, straight through three Sonic the Hedgehog plushies, T-shirts and alluded to the miracle of his collection. consecutive red lights, barely easing off stickers with the store’s logo, dog-eared It was just a single-story former laun- the pedal. It’d be the games arranged stacks of GamePro and Nintendo Power, dromat with a workaday sign. He’d had on the most prominent rows inside the and a feng shui of other games. Drawers the idea to paint Mario and Luigi so big, store. They’d take the PlayStation 4s, nested all sorts of controllers smoth- anyone could see them from the main and the used Nintendo Switch consoles, ered in black cords. Until he was forced road beyond the parking lot in an anti- and popular games like Skyrim (dragons to sully the store by putting jail bars on quated strip mall, the Dye Hard Salon versus glitches, 2016), like Breath of the the windows and installing security cam- on one side and Murphy’s GOOD EATS Wild (Link of Zelda fame versus his own eras out front, Trade-N-Games had been Diner on the other. Trade-N-Games, sense of curiosity, 2017) and Mario Kart lighthearted in spirit and charming in its this pixelated utopia in a suburb of St. 8 (go-karts versus go-karts, 2014). Who accentuations. He’d wanted customers Louis, had turned out exactly how he’d would want to take anything else? to experience what it had been like imagined it more than 20 years ago. The to be part of the video game genera- exception to his vision took the form of He had an insurance policy, and he tion that had discovered Nintendo the scarred tracks of dolly wheels lead- kept the register open and empty at night. and Sega. He had wished to replicate ing from the back of the store across the And though the value of retro games had for people that feeling that usually blue carpet, crushed into permanence by exploded in the past few years, he’d never disappears as they settle into adult- a 700-pound safe dragged out the door been concerned about the safety of the hood. There’s a “great buys” bargain in the middle of the night. thousands of games from his legendary bin and a giant glass collector’s case. collection—some of the most valuable J ASON BRASSARD was racing video games on earth. A placard above the employee 100 miles per hour to Trade- gate by the desk reads NINTEN- N-Games around 4:30 in the He’d kept this museum of his own mak- DO REPAIR AVAILABLE HERE. morning on August 16, 2019, ing behind a metal vault door taped over The AS SEEN ON YOUTUBE sign a .38 caliber pistol by the cup with a Samus Aran poster from Metroid he’d taken down. He’d had a kind holder in his truck. The trip was three (intergalactic bounty hunter versus of philanthropic hubris as an owner miles from his condo in High Ridge, a pirates, 1986–2021). The contents of the and collector, someone who never vault and the safe within it had made him gave a second thought to keeping PACK MAN famous to certain collectors, who would his legendary game collection a Jason Brassard has geek out about him and want to see those secret. He’d gladly let YouTubers spent his life film in the back; he would even amassing a collection YouTube video tours of everything he open the safe back there and show of rare video games. had—games like Air Raid (save the them, item by item, his Louvre. city from aliens, 1982) and Little Sam- son (impish warrior versus world, 1992) and The Amazing Spider-Man: Web of Fire (guy you know versus terrorists, 1996) on the 32X, pieces of what he considered history that collectors might describe as grails. Though the vault door didn’t work then and was mainly for show, that anything behind it could be, would be, stolen seemed unimaginable. Generations of games had been lost to attics, yard sales, and garbage bins, and enthusiasts like Brassard had become sentimental about find- ing and possessing them. A culture, and then a market, had bloomed around such wistful longings. It’s fair to assume most humans have 106 VA N I TY FA I R

played a video game—the emotional capi- The cash register was on the floor, wonder what his deal was. He imagined tal of playing and loving a game 30 years though. And the dolly tracks went all the himself slipping into the collector’s per- ago is one of the reasons games that old way to the vault door and into the back. fectionism of detail, offering an origin have become desirable. In the summer The shelves seemed undisturbed, but his story for every single game, but nothing of 2021, a sealed copy of the first print of work desk was pushed aside, papers and that could ever tell the half of why he’d Super Mario Bros. for the NES sold for documents strewn. There were unfamil- acquired them. $2 million at auction. A copy of The Leg- iar tools on the desk—someone else’s. end of Zelda went for nearly $900,000. It took him a moment to process an empty Two officers arrived soon enough and A pristine, never-opened copy of Super space by the wall, to figure out what the cordoned off the shop in yellow tape. One Mario 64 sold for $1.56 million. People crowbar would have been used for—or of them noted in the initial report that started buying pieces of games, shares what someone had tried, unsuccessfully, Brassard asked, “What do you think of them, one hundredth of a title, as an to use it for, before they hauled off the about this whole thing?” When the investment. The zone is much less like the safe anyway, still locked. detective got there, he admitted, “Those techno-hype surrounding NFTs (Chris- games were my retirement plan.” The tie’s sold one of those last year for $69 The contents of that safe had taken police report takes three pages to list the him nearly 30 years to acquire, a few titles of every game, monetary values as “Bubble Bath Babes. That’s really one that stuck out in my head. I thought it was a kid game. Apparently, it’s Nintendo porn.” million) and far more akin to fine art. But titles only a handful of people had ever assigned by Brassard next to each one. Brassard’s collection was, in its own way, seen. The safe itself he’d bought second- Some are misspelled, Chubby Cherub deeply non-fungible. hand from a local real estate agent who (winged baby versus canines, 1986), was going out of business. Inside the missing its second u, and the “Jr.” cut “When you look at Super Mario Bros., safe, he had 120 games on three shelves, from the rarest NES original “black box” you can say, ‘Man, I sunk 200 hours into along with $19,000 in silver coins and game, Donkey Kong Jr. Math (famous this game as a kid,’ ” says Chris Kohler, bars and $10,000 in cash. He would only apes versus an education, 1986). longtime game journalist and author and be able to claim around $100,000 as the now editorial director at Digital Eclipse, value of the stolen games, because the W HEN HOLLIE Luns- a game developer. “Look at The Legend insurance adjuster would only use com- ford hears video of Zelda. To people, emotionally, that’s a parison prices from other sales. Hardly games, she thinks whole world that they escaped to. You can any of the games in the safe ever came Nintendo, like have really deep emotional connections up for sale in the decades he’d been col- someone who to stuff like this.” lecting. The reality had him choking out hears soda thinks Coke. She thinks tears into the dark. Super Mario Bros., green sewer pipes, That was Brassard. He could see the pixelated clouds in the vast blue sky, store as he came down the hill of Gra- “Every single game that was in the the little mushroom thingie, the Goom- vois Road, the faded bricks, Mario and safe was very deliberate,” Brassard says. bas, the death march toward Mario and Luigi and the large Goomba sticker. The “I had the ultimate copies of those games, Luigi. She thinks about playing it with door was open. He parked the truck per- I had really sought them out over the her mother on the basement floor 30 pendicular to the front window, leaving years. They were in there for a reason. I years ago, using a Game Genie to try to the headlights shining into the store. identified with those games. Like…people finish world eight. A kick rest held the door in place. His know Jason owns those games that no work dolly, he noticed, was on the con- one else has. And I shared them. I had “That’s the game I grew up on,” the crete, its wheels flattened and its metal archived them, preserved them.” It felt, detective says now. “We also had Cali- arms bent, two gouges in the asphalt he said, “like a tragedy for the video game fornia Games. I like the girl that skates.” from where it was pulled out of the store, community more than anything.” raked several feet, and then discarded. Brassard had been wrong—Lunsford The front window was broken, a cinder How would he explain his hobby to a was not exactly an outsider. She admit- block marooned on the carpet inside. He detective? Not everyone was sympathetic ted to him that a few years ago, she’d got out of the truck, waving his gun, and to a middle-aged man who collected vid- bought a refurbished NES and at age yelled “Police!,” the word echoing as he eo games for a profession. The detective 33 still played her childhood SMB car- crossed the doorway, his shoes crunching would be a stranger to his world, would tridge. Lunsford, with 11 years of law on the glass. No one was in the store. The see the stuffed animals, the doodads, enforcement experience at the time, shelves looked fine. The collector’s case his collection of PAC-MAN ashtrays had brought her tackle box with finger- was locked, and the contents still looked and drinking glasses, his FuncoLand print powder and evidence bags, a steno neatly arranged, priced to sell. cartridge-sleeves artwork, and probably J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 107

pad for notes. She dusted the back desk break-in, and the new guy, Alex Nevad, appeared, every so often then, from as and the laundry bag of power tools the whom Brassard had hired away from far away as Memphis, to buy a game, perpetrator, or perpetrators, left behind. GameStop. Nevad, then 20, was “the telling him they’d come just wanting to She watched Brassard watch her, follow- new dude,” words that came out of him help. Brassard had trouble answering ing her around the store as she worked. in a defeated sigh. As Brassard assured the one question everyone kept asking: None of the prints turned up hits. Lunsford, Nevad had been nothing but a How are you doing? The dolly tread and diligent employee with a healthy interest the story had made the local news. “I know that he spent so long collect- in older consoles, some released before The front window got replaced. But ing these, that it made me feel terrible he was born. When the store wasn’t busy, Brassard, 46 years old the month of the for him. Just to have that all wiped out,” Brassard taught him how to use the CD theft, wouldn’t come right out and say Lunsford says. “If he ever wanted to sell, buffer to clean used game discs. that he could hardly bear to leave the he’d have a ton of money.” store, or that he slept on an air mattress “At first I was thinking people would there for days after the robbery. She’d never heard of any of the sto- point fingers at me,” Nevad says. “But len games. Brassard talked her through Jason was totally understanding, and he A FEW MONTHS after the the list: Chase the Chuck Wagon for even joked when I came in the next day: heist, in November, some- the Atari 2600, made by Purina in the ‘Hey, he stole all my games!’ ” thing weirder than usual early 1980s, only available by mail-in happened at Grumpy proof of purchase from packages of dog Brassard learned that Nevad had been Bob’s Emporium, which, food. Johnson & Johnson’s Tooth Pro- sensitive to even this harmless ribbing. like Trade-N-Games, was one of a dwin- tectors, really just an advertisement for “I’m the most gullible person you’ll ever dling number of used-video-game stores the company’s toothbrushes. Captain meet,” Nevad said, adding that he didn’t in the greater metro St. Louis area (unlike Novolin, along with the impossible-to- know anything about the games in the Trade-N-Games, it also used to offer lawn get packaging sleeve, the only Super back. “I was like, ‘No, you don’t need to mower repair). Only to get to Grumpy Nintendo game about living with dia- look at Alex,’ ” Brassard told me he told Bob’s, in Maryville, Illinois, a gamer betes. The complete boxed Atari 2600 Lunsford. “I told the detective, ‘He’s only editions of Bounty Bob Strikes Back! been here a few weeks, and I don’t even (mutants versus land mines, 1984) and think he knows I own a safe.’ ” One of the owners told him, “You have insurance, don’t involve me, fuck off,” when Brassard called after seeing his stolen games for sale online. Qbert’s Qubes (cussing orange creature Not long after the theft, Brassard hired had to cross the Mississippi River. versus snakes, 1983). One of the only Chris Guilbault, a former customer and Grumpy Bob’s looks like someone’s dozen or so blue T-handle cartridges of his friend and confidant, who had an house, if they decided to paint the siding Air Raid known to exist. Bonk’s Adven- archivist’s knowledge of video game his- bright yellow and the front door blue, and ture (giant-headed caveboy versus tory (“I spend more time on that than any put a collage of video game posters on the dinosaurs, 1994) for the NES—cherry— 35-year-old man should, probably….”) windows. The mascot is a cartoon portrait sealed in the original plastic, certified and the authority to make a deal on his of an old man wearing an orange cap and 9.6 out of 10 by the game-grading service boss’s behalf. The theft had forced all a frown so exaggerated that his lower lip WATA, and conceivably worth a hundred four men to start thinking about games touches his nose and wrinkles his fore- grand by itself, according to Brassard. in ways that polluted their childhood head—Grumpy Bob Voegele himself. endearments, in ways they’d either never Mandi Voegele, his daughter-in-law, has “I was in awe,” Lunsford admits. considered or taken seriously as enthu- helped run the store since Bob passed, “I didn’t know about this stuff. That siasts, as fans. They recognized a new and she designed the logo with great something would be worth that much in vulnerability in the opportunity someone affection. Mandi was the one to call Bras- cherry condition or not,” says the detec- had taken, and maybe even the personal sard to tell him about the incident at their tive. “But he had it all documented, and danger of working at such a store. store, having seen his Facebook post two there was no reason for me to question months earlier. it. If I did, I could look it up if I wanted to. The customers at Trade-N-Games And some games, I did! Like Bubble Bath offered condolences in the period that On the rainy evening of November 6, Babes. That’s really one that stuck out in followed. They commented with com- a man and a woman arrived in a beat- my head. I thought it was a kid game. fort emoji on the Facebook post Brassard up car. The man was wearing a Nike Apparently, it’s Nintendo porn.” wrote, an emotional description of how baseball cap, the bill obscuring his face. his games were gone. They brought He held a large fountain soda in his left Lunsford began her investigation him cupcakes and chocolate chip cook- hand, frustratingly disregarding the sign with the employees at the store. Tom ies and get-well cards and flowers. They asking visitors not to bring food or drink Spitz, who’d been in Japan during the 108 VA NI TY FA I R

inside. The woman seemed younger, in of the rarest NES games, worth thou- T AUNYA ENGLISH and her jeans and some kind of poncho, with a sands in good condition, which this one angry companion oper- wet grocery bag in her hand. The two was. Also Mr. Do!’s Castle (clown versus ated without inhibition of them walked to the register, where unicorns, 1983) for the Atari 2600, still in that what they were doing the woman opened the bag to reveal the box. One of the young women who might be suspicious. A few some of the rarest games the staff had works at the store noticed Mr. Do!’s had days after their Grumpy Bob’s antics, ever seen, then arranged them on the a blemish at the top of the box filled in they arrived at Game Over in Union, glass checkout counter, hoping to make with red marker, a tiny flaw—one that Missouri, this time perhaps slightly wiser a deal. One of the clerks, Spidey sense Brassard had mentioned in his Facebook about getting paid. Again, they tried to triggered, called the Voegeles at home. post. Voegele called Trade-N-Games the sell The Flintstones game, rumored and Mandi came in. next day. And that was how Hollie Luns- debunked by collectors to have been a ford got the first decent security footage rental exclusive at Blockbuster Video. The man seemed to get frustrated of the face of a thief. The owner of Game Over, listed in police when Voegele asked them to wait documents as Matthew Maynard, even- while she checked the prices. She also Brassard thought a better word was tually made a deal. He shelled out cash asked for ID, a result of the sheriff ’s crook. In his nightmares, he tried to for Flintstones and also Contra Force mandates that anyone who deals in imagine this person. Who would bring a (military versus terrorists, 1992), the secondhand items with serial numbers gas-station Big Gulp into Grumpy Bob’s rarest and final game in the NES Con- provide identification for customers. and cause a scene? Who would stuff tra trilogy, both complete in box. But The man declined to provide any, but copies of the rarest games on earth into Maynard only spent $450—thousands the woman showed her driver’s license, a grocery bag and then carry them in the less than market price. When a Trade- which said her name was Taunya Eng- rain? Because Brassard had no cameras N-Games regular saw the new merch, he lish. The guy seemed impelled to share outside the store before the robbery, the recognized those titles. Brassard drove a story about the games; he’d had them only recording police had managed to to Game Over to talk to Maynard—who forever, he found them in the garage, find was security footage from nearby said, according to Brassard (and which and was now trying to see if they had businesses, like Fenton Play & Learn Day- Brassard repeated to the police), some- currency—he needed to get his son out care and Slingers restaurant, but nothing thing to the effect of, “A little old lady of jail. He was fidgety and insistent. How solid. Trade-N-Games was barely in view, sold him the games from her closet.” long will this take? Voegele suspected that but around the time of the robbery, a Lunsford also went to the store and whoever this was didn’t have any knowl- single-cab two-door pickup truck pulls in spoke to Maynard, then took the games edge of or love for games at all. toward Trade-N-Games from the main back to the station. road, and, as Lunsford notes, a person Grumpy Bob’s had its share of weir- approaches the store. But there was still Between the accounts from Grumpy dos, and Voegele had trained her staff nothing concrete, no hefting the safe into Bob’s and Game Over, Lunsford had to be cautious. “We’ve had stalker a truck bed, no mid-1980s model Toyota a decent idea of who she was looking guys,” Voegele says. “But 90 percent of making its getaway. Brassard could only for. English’s Facebook page was pub- our customers are on the normal side imagine it, which kept him in nocturnal lic and revealed her relationship with a of geek. Ten percent are very weird, distress; the horrors of someone else with man named Damon Jackson. That man very shifty, though. They are frustrated the games, touching, squeezing them, seemed to match the description of a with pricing, everything is upsetting to bumping them around. white male who’d tried to sell games them. They don’t want us to do our due diligence. We’ve always been more ASSAULT MODE to yet another used-game store, a than 50 percent female, and I’ve had The thief failed regional chain called Slackers, on moms reach out to me, their young to crack the safe, more than one occasion at two differ- gamer girls can go in and talk to but that didn’t stop ent stores. In the first incident at the them versus these other game stores him from taking it. South County Center store, Jackson, where it’s all guys.” partially hidden under a baseball cap, stopped at the threshold of the When Voegele began to tell this store’s entrance while a female com- man she didn’t have enough cash on panion (not English) approached the hand and couldn’t make a deal with- counter, looking over her shoulder out knowing his name anyway, he at Jackson as though he was her got pissed and began to shout. I just coach. She had so many rare games want my stuff back and we’re gonna in her bag, really old games, with the go! This is stupid! We’re leaving! They manual and box, that it startled the didn’t break anything on their way manager, Matt Hrevus. Atari 2600 out, which she had feared. games like Tapper (bartender versus patrons, 1983) and Mr. Do!’s. No one The games that Voegele’s staff- ever brought in one of those games, ers had still been trying to find trade much less a purseful. prices for included a boxed copy of The Flintstones: The Surprise at According to Hrevus, she said Dinosaur Peak! (the family you know they were her son’s games. Hrevus versus all of prehistory, 1994), one J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 109

offered her a couple hundred bucks, a any ID. While Young pretended to look up As Jackson was leaving the counter, the lowball figure she accepted. After she prices—he had no intention of purchasing officers descended. and the man by the door left together, any of the games—he told a colleague to he googled the name of each game he’d take a picture of Jackson’s license plate. “He began cursing,” Merz says. “These purchased plus “St. Louis” and eventu- Young remembered reading about Trade- are mine! I’ve had them forever, this is fuck- ally found Brassard’s Facebook post. N-Games, and he called Brassard. That ing bullshit!” Then: “I have to go to the Hrevus’s boss, the owner of Slackers, was December 13, 2019. bathroom!” Jackson clutched his chest realized he was in possession of stolen when they were putting on handcuffs; the property, and soon Lunsford had taken J ACKSON’S STORY ABOUT the officers had to call an ambulance to the those games into evidence. By this point games wasn’t that unusual, store. Brassard was sitting just outside, in the detective had reclaimed about half of and he told the various clerks his truck, biting his fingernails. the 120 stolen games. that he’d never played them, which rang true. “Because he Jackson was arrested for possession of But none of the games could be called didn’t know shit about them,” says John stolen property, taken to a local hospital, cherry anymore. No, these games had the Merz, the owner of Bodach’s Games in and released. After the stakeout, Bras- same titles as the ones Brassard lost, but St. Louis, another stop on Jackson’s list. sard went to the police station with the they had been mauled or in some cases “It didn’t flip a switch in my head. It undercover officers. The men couldn’t destroyed, as though the perpetrator real- didn’t trigger that it was the stuff from get over any of it; the ordinary break-in ized the only way he could actually sell Jason’s heist.” Jackson had a box copy of that was also historic and kind of hilari- them without being caught was to cut Bubble Bobble Part 2 (Bob and Bub versus ous. And, there were NES porn games, their value. Brassard’s Air Raid cartridge skulls, 1993), and a copy of the NES game really? And so Brassard pulled up videos and his complete-in-box Little Samson WURM: Journey to the Center of the of Peek-a-Boo Poker on YouTube to show turned up damaged at two different game Earth (combat chick versus subterranean them that it was true. stores in Las Vegas, but Brassard didn’t humanoids, 1991) that had also been in get them back—one of the owners told the safe, but this one was ripped out of Jackson was arrested again in Febru- him, “You have insurance, don’t involve its plastic WATA-graded case. What Merz ary 2020 for driving a car with expired me, fuck off,” when Brassard called after didn’t know at the time was that Brassard plates, and then charged with one count seeing his games for sale online. was staking Jackson out. of burglary, and three counts of stealing, one for over $25,000, two for amounts Others were more helpful. “When “I paid [Jackson] in cash,” Merz says. over $750. By then Lunsford had enough it comes to the bigger collections, and “We posted the games on Facebook, and evidence to pinpoint him at Trade-N- when something gets stolen, we [collec- Jason came in with a police officer and Games at the time of the theft, using his tors] are like individual fingers, and when said, ‘This stuff is mine.’ ” So when Jack- phone data from a GPS warrant request. connected we can form a fist,” says John son called Merz and said he was going to Hancock, a retro game enthusiast with his return with more games, this time three For what is likely the most valuable own significant collection. “When some- undercover agents were waiting, dressed video game theft in history, Jackson was thing shitty like this happens, collectors like civilians, idly rifling through Magic: sentenced to 17 years in prison, deferred work with one another.” The Gathering cards and NES cartridges. on felony probation. Part of his probation agreement depended upon his provid- When Jackson went to establishments RAIDED ing information on the rest of the games closer to home, like Prestige Electronics Among the collection and paying around $24,000 in restitu- and Arch City Gaming Company were Nintendo, Sega, tion. (Charges were never filed against in Bridgeton, Missouri, he didn’t and Atari games. bother to disguise himself. And he’d English, or the other woman, in apparently never truly considered connection with the case.) the proximity of the stores to each other—or that the owners could B RASSARD USED towalk possibly know one another. This to the back room of was no criminal mastermind. He the store in the morn- always had “some bullshit story,” ing, just so he could says Brassard. His caper extended in see his games. To scope, but the lack of creativity ulti- behold them was to breathe a little mately did him in. Jackson drove to easier, never mind the paperwork Denver in a pickup truck, and the growing on his desk, the bathroom clerk working at Level 7 Games saw trash can overflowing with wadded- it in the parking lot. up paper towels, the mini fridge in need of more Diet Cokes. Walking “He told me, ‘I just…had them,’ ” slowly into the mass of his collection, says Jon Young, the Level 7 clerk. he could gaze on the colorful spines “He had some crazy rare stuff, of the boxes, alphabetized in con- like Bubble Bath Babes in the box. gruency on shelves that stretched Games that we’d never seen before, the walls. Nothing else ever made and he didn’t give a shit at all.” him feel such ambition, the years Again, Jackson declined to provide required, the dedication—how 110 VA N I TY FA I R

he’d sought to find not only the games Atari 2600 game Boing! (bubble versus T HE FIRST VIDEO game Bras- but the ones in the very best condition. squares, 1983), complete in box, was now sard ever got was called He’d brought his fiancée, Hope, to the flattened, the cardboard furrowed. His Megamania (spaceship store one evening, held her hand, and copy of Guardian (planet versus ship, versus hamburgers, 1982), took her into the vault. 1982) gashed where an old price sticker for the Atari 2600. It was a had been on the top right, untouched Christmas present, the year he was 10. “Everything lit up…and he showed from whoever purchased it long ago. Jack- He’d torn the cartridge out of the box, me around, and it was overwhelming,” son had eradicated the serial numbers forever diminishing the game’s value, says Hope, now his wife. This is how she off the Panesian “porn” trinity—Bubble of course not knowing the collector first understood the pride of the man she Bath Babes (bubbles versus gravity, plus he’d become. Then, the rudimentary was going to marry—the type of collec- a naked woman), Hot Slots (slot machine piece of media impressed upon him the tor who’d gone after it all. He showed versus lust, plus, eventually, a naked vaguest notion of his future life. Games her R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy), woman), Peek-a-Boo Poker (the hand would turn out to be connections to the the 1986 NES robot console in its sought- you’re dealt versus a naked woman’s)— past, to iterations of himself at different after box, esoterica like a clean copy of with what Brassard imagined had to be points—the 20-something who toted the Outback Joey exercise game for the steel wool or a belt sander. around a Nintendo 64 working for a Genesis (kangaroo versus calories, 1993) plane-cleaning company, the dad play- and his cherry Rampage 2: Universal Tour “He’s still trying to get back to where ing Wii with his daughter and son who for Nintendo 64 (giant animals versus he was before,” says Hope. “It’s like look- would grow up hanging around at the buildings, 1999) that came with a plush ing at a piece of art for him. You wouldn’t store. “People remember doing certain rat key chain. He drove her to Tennessee want to see a Picasso have a scratch on A few months after the heist, something weirder than usual happened at Grumpy Bob’s Emporium. to pick up an Atari 2600 mall kiosk from it. And basically, that’s how I would things with friends and family,” he says. the late 1970s, to conventions like the describe these to him. As his Picasso.” “I think that’s what video games do. And Midwest Gaming Classic in Wisconsin; that’s what makes them what they are.” he knew all the vendors and toured her “I’d rather not have them back at all,” The first game he purchased on eBay to through the booths full of games. When he told Hope. start his collection, back in his early 20s, he asked her to marry him and she said was Megamania, cherry, for $10. yes, his friend presented them with a Brassard hid the list of the games custom NES painted bridal white, with he’d made for insurance—$92,000 in When Brassard left Missouri this past his and hers controllers. Did she know the end—at the bottom of a drawer. He fall and moved to Florida, he didn’t take about the games in the safe? Duh—Chee- placed the Huggies box with about 40 of that game with him. Or any of the others. tahmen II, Final Fight Guy, Hagane for the games he’d gotten back on the floor of He couldn’t find the energy to alphabeti- Super Nintendo. Not only his work, but the vault room, away from view. cally display cartridges on the walls of his life’s work, which had become a part the new condo. There’s not a single game of her own; their kids, from different mar- Brassard has thought about trying to visible in the place. He still owns Trade- riages, played at the store, at home. market his tragedy, he confesses. Even N-Games, but Guilbault has the keys. It’s damaged, maybe they have value. The a sort of semiretirement, Brassard jokes. After he received some of the stolen heist’s aftermath coincided with the pan- He’s got a job in gaming, at a company games from police evidence in three demic; two years of having way too much called CGC that has made its name in batches—the last of which had come in a time by himself to obsess about it. He’d comics and coins, and he’ll spearhead Huggies box—he set them out on the table created a world of games to exist every- the public launch of its game-grading with a white photo backdrop where he where he could set his eyes, and now, in arm late this year. He and Hope are car usually took pictures of the store’s games lockdown, he was constantly trying to enthusiasts, and so they drive their Jeep before putting them online to sell, so he avert them. He had never collected for to car shows, and to the flea market in could see them better. The copy of Tapper money. He wanted to own the games as Fort Myers. Someone manning a retro that had been sold to Slackers, cherry in a grown-up because he played them as game booth even recognized him once— the safe, looked like a car had backed over a child. But money was one of the only “Aren’t you the guy from the robbery?” it. Stuntman (guy versus laws of physics, things he saw now when he went into the That was the iteration of Brassard now: 1983), a rare game by the Panda compa- back room. How could he see anything the collector who had his favorite prizes ny, and Quadrun (runts versus captors, else? It at least quantified his emotional stolen, the mother of all game collec- 1983)—Jackson had unsealed those from loss. He sat down at his desk and wrote tions, in the safe he was now just trying the ancient factory shrink-wrap. The about how much he thought his entire col- to forget. ■ lection would bring. $2 million? Three? Maybe it’s time to sell, he said to Guilbault. J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 111

The Undertow told him to show us “ ‘how to have power.’ ” has come from Trump to lead us will restore He says he leads a secret team under Melania to us, We the People, command of our own C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 8 9 “COVID’s like that just arrested 95 child traffickers. ships, our vessels, our bodies. We learn that snakes or strychnine,” he says. “ ‘No plague by signing our birth certificates, our moth- shall take you,’ ” a gloss on Psalm 91’s 10th The congregation cheers. “Booyah!” ers unwittingly made us slaves. Yes, slaves. It verse. He gestures across the sanctuary. somebody hollers. goes back to the 14th Amendment. You may Capacity 900, nobody masked. think that’s the one that ensured the rights “Under President Trump,” he continues, of formerly enslaved people—“equal protec- An associate pastor takes the stage to tell “we arrested 15,000.” tion of the laws.” That’s what they want you to us about upcoming events, women’s groups, think. “It’s not your fault,” Straight says. You and “the militia new recruit meeting.” Then “Glory to God!” were fed fake news. Critical race theory. You Pastor Dave introduces the special guest with “Dominoes are falling,” stays Straight. don’t know that the 14th Amendment made a confession. “I have tried to be faithful,” “C’mon!” shouts Pastor Dave, urging you—true American “you”—a slave. Dave says, but he’s strayed. From Trump. It them to topple. wasn’t supposed to be like this. He means the “Word up, Lord!” calls a believer. What Straight’s doing isn’t so simple prophecies: Within conservative Pentecostal Hillary, we learn, has secretly already as rhetorically waving a Confederate flag, circles, Trump’s 2020 victory was widely fore- been executed. You’ve seen her since? Green even if it amounts to much the same. Straight told. Its theft was not. But God helps those screens. There are, we learn, two United swaddles the myth of the Lost Cause in who help themselves. On January 6, God’s States: the one that “lives in our hearts” and universalism. For the modern right, Recon- people did just that. “We were able to take the the wicked one in Washington. Trump’s not struction, the uneven attempt to enforce castle,” Pastor Dave says—the Capitol—and only still president of the real one, he’s the those equal protections, is the root of “big yet that glory too melted into air. “And then 19th president, because most of the others government.” People you can’t see, in places suddenly it is, well, quiet.” He seems embar- since Lincoln, including Honest Abe, were you haven’t been, having a say in how you rassed. “Frustrated.” His buttered-toast voice illegal. Will Straight lose them here? No— live your life. sounds like it’s going to crumble. The election Straight’s in the Word, which is like speaking was stolen and then the revolution defeated in tongues, based not on reason but on the “See,” preaches Straight, “in Genesis 1:26 with just the one shot that killed Ashli. “Why faith that there’s meaning even in—especially through 28 God gave me, man, dominion over the heck,” he wonders, “would we ever vote in—that which at first seems strange. Trump, the land, the air, and the water, and every- again for anybody?” But Pastor Dave brought Straight coos, “is the commander in chief of thing therein. And this is law.” Amens ripple his dark questions to the Lord, and the Lord the military right now.” Yes, Lord! “He has not through the sanctuary. The law, says Straight, answered, through tonight’s speaker, David turned over the football.” The nuclear codes. tells us we’re not “citizens” but kings. “God Straight. “He goes from deep rabbit hole That’s right, says the congregation. Amen! is our king of kings,” says Straight, “he ain’t to deep rabbit hole to”—there are no other Such are the spiritual truths of the the king of slaves.” words for the depths illuminated by David Trumpocene, which didn’t end January 20, Straight, so Pastor Dave triples down on the 2021. A “fringe” that surrounds the center There’s world building here, much like ones he has—“deep rabbit hole.” and moves inward, until suddenly there it is, the imaginary past summed up in Ashli the fringe, at the heart of things: the QAnon Babbitt’s use of a date, 1776, the year itself Down we go. Straight’s no ordinary evan- Shaman in the Senate chamber, or Represen- like the Holy Ghost. There was the gospel gelist. He wears a denim shirt and black tative Marjorie Taylor Greene; Ashli Babbitt, of the Father, which Christians call the Old slacks, a large-shouldered man at ease in the who died empty-handed, or Representative Testament, and the gospel of the Son, which space among others his broad back affords. Lauren Boebert, who open-carries; the “zip they call the New, and now comes a gospel He slicks his graying hair back, but he’s not tie guy” or Ginni Thomas, who helped plan of 1776, apotheosis of revenge and redemp- slick. He doesn’t so much take the stage as that awful day in Washington. tion. “We chant 1776 because it reminds us drift toward its center. He has no notes. He’ll Straight doesn’t mention Ashli, but I of revolting against our government,” said speak, or not speak, as the spirit leads. He understand now why Richard at the rally another insurrectionist, naming the date as paces, not speaking, one hand in a pocket. urged me to come this evening. I really am a kind of kairos, a New Testament word for “I’m one of those guys you probably don’t learning what Ashli knew. The Trump dream. time out of time, God’s appointed hour. As know,” he murmurs. “I’ve always worked in “All I dream about and pray for,” she wrote; history it’s bunk; as politics, fascist kitsch. the shadows, and”—a pause, long enough “it is all connected,” “the pedos” and the But as desire? Longing? The wish to live in to let us know he doesn’t care if we believe “enslaved.” “You can’t sell your soul to the the moment, to enter the myth as the hero him—“I’ve done a lot of things. I travel all devil without a price.” She retweeted the of your own story? over the world and”—pause—“I’ve done a price deep-state traitors will pay: “DEATH lot of missions.” He says he’s served Trump BY FIRING SQUAD.” She’d come to care “Mask Free Autonomous Zone,” read a under three executive orders, that Trump deeply for the 800,000 children she incor- poster on the front door of Ashli’s pool clean- “looked at me right in the eye and said, ‘I’ve rectly believed are stolen every year. She ing business, “Better known as AMERICA.” done everything I can. It’s up to you to be hard spoke with hurtling indignation about immi- A place of “men” who “smile, laugh, shout, on your people.’ ” Us. Straight says Trump gration and drugs. She experienced her anger and have a damn good time!” as love: channeled it into belief; embraced the authority of her president-redeemer. She “You can either be a 100 percent citi- embraced authority, full stop, as the funda- zen being protected by your ‘civil rights,’ ” mental frame for knowing the world. Straight proposes—a “slave”—“or you can Straight preaches at length on maritime be 100 percent sovereign, protected by law, about how legally we are all “vessels,” your unalienable rights given you by God” subject to the same regulations as ports (a white man, in spirit if not in fact). and pursers, the ship’s officer in charge of money. Purser; person. It’s all right there for Straight’s a partisan of the growing “sov- those with ears to hear. With each term he ereign citizen” movement, which holds that reveals secret etymologies—“deep rabbit federal government has no authority. He holes.” The winding path on which Straight replaces “citizen” with “national,” but the concept’s the same—just as in essence is the broader ideology of “states’ rights” expressed by governors in Texas and Florida when they 112 VA N I T Y FA I R

JEFF SHARLET. stand in the door to block federal laws. So too How to say then, that Ashli Babbitt is not wave,” says the radio. The sky darkens. does this ethos animate those who stormed a martyr? There’s the word itself, martyr, Smoke, not rain. I’m driving through fire, the Capitol. “If you guys get indicted, like which means “witness,” one’s life given as detoured onto leaner roads. I pause to watch some of us did on January 6,” says Straight— testament to some larger truth. The story for flames lick over a ridge, flickering down to then he interrupts himself, because in his which she put herself in front of the gun, that the black ribbon on which I stand. The smoke mind he is sovereign. “Not me, of course—I’m the election was stolen? Verifiably false. But isn’t just black and orange but green, some- a king. I’m free. You can’t touch me.” what if she died as a witness not to fact but to times purple. The sun peers through, copper, dream? Through a glass darkly: the comfort like a faraway penny. After Straight’s sermon, I meet Pastor of chaos, the relief of “issues” falling away, Dave. What are the odds, I ask, that I’d fly like a body letting go, falling backward, into “It was an incredible thing,” a Nevada J6er across the country to attend a rally for Ashli conflict itself as the cause, never ending? named Matt Virden tells me. He means the and find myself at this church in the country, How do you disprove that? moment that Ashli was killed. He was out- learning the theology of her cause? side when a man who said he’d been inside From Yuba City, I turn inward. Toward staggered from the building. Virden says he Dave laughs. “Did you know that in the the center. I drive over Donner Pass the could see it, the death, the meaning: “the language of scripture there’s no word for next night, listening to talk radio rise and fall ghost on his face.” Outside the Capitol, the coincidence in either the Old Testament or according to the ridgeline. “First-time call- news “spread like wildfire. Before you knew the New? Coincidence is just a spectacular er,” defending the AR-15. “It’s our heritage.” it, everybody was aware of it. This is a differ- thing, that God remains anonymous.” Take Flip the dial. Kenny Loggins, “Danger Zone.” ent situation.” Virden says that on the Capitol COVID-19. Dave says scripture teaches that “Be safe,” Aaron Babbitt, Ashli’s husband, steps, 500 circled and held hands. (Consider what your enemies—China, Fauci—intend as texted her as she prepared to fly to Washing- these spiritual numbers: Virden says he saw evil, God makes good. Isn’t that the meaning ton the day before the insurrection. “I cannot more than a million souls. Law enforcement of Christ, murdered by the deep state of his lose you.” Ashli was headed toward the front put it in the thousands.) They prayed. “Every- day, then risen to conquer it? The meaning lines. She responded from the plane not as body bowed their heads and had incredible of every martyr? wife or lover but as soldier: “Tons of trump reverence for what had happened and what supporters on my plane!!!!” was going on.” The shooting, the blood, the But what about the dead who don’t rise? battle. To Virden, it was peaceful. The love. I ask. Not Jesus, not Ashli. The million lost She was posting a lot of selfie videos by Hand in hand. The spirit. 1776. The dead girl. to COVID? then. In her kitchen, driving to work. “There’s riots, there’s arrests, there’s rapes,” she says. My friend Phil has given me a book to read COVID is real and the dead are many, “I-I-am-so-tired-of-it!” she says. She’s 15 as I travel, a novel by his daughter, Ivy Pocho- Dave allows, but there’s a “good part.” God minutes from the border. “Thousands of da, called These Women. It keeps me company has spoken: “ ‘Those who truly want to rep- people on the other side,” she warns. They’re in the desert, at night, when I’m not driving. A resent me, please stand up!’ ” Dave says coming. She’s ready. She’s a digital soldier. California story. About how women are killed there will be trials and hangings for those She’s a real soldier. She’s going to take it IRL. and how we tell stories about these killings. who don’t. Straight’s testimony of Hillary’s “Here are the ways a body can come apart,” execution gives him hope, he says. Now we She wasn’t crazy. Her ideas were, but she writes Pochoda. “It can drown or be drowned know who’s standing, who’s not, and who, in wasn’t insane; she was mad. So what? White and turn the color of a deep-sea creature that the coming war, will dangle. rage is close cousin to “white tears.” To which has never seen the light of day. It can get many quite reasonably say, Get over yourself. trapped between the dirty, barnacled rocks 4. INLAND And yet, if sorrow and anger are shaped by and bang on them for a day or more before race, they’re not products of it alone. How someone takes it away. By then it will barely OR MAYBE HERE’S the good part: There is a much of Ashli’s anger was rooted in her expe- seem a body at all, but rather an obscene word for coincidence in the Bible, Seth Sand- rience as a woman? As, seemingly, queer in organism, a swollen alien form.” ers, author of The Invention of Hebrew, tells me. practice if not in name? How much had been “The root ‫ הרק‬and associated noun ‫ הרקמ‬are formed by her frustrated Air Force career? But what are the bodies in this story? Ashli. fairly frequently used, and mean to encounter Did her failed first marriage play a role? How The body of Christ. The body politic. The by chance.” He adds a dig at Dave: “This is much was linked to her struggling business’s body of “the nation.” How does that body not something that someone well versed in debt, a court judgment against it for $71,000, “come apart”? The answer is in the question Hebrew would say.” an ill-considered short-term loan charging I’ve learned to ask the believers: “Do you interest she calculated at 169 percent? She think there’ll be a civil war?” They say “yes.” It’s satisfying when an expert flattens a liked to say she was living the American Some say Ashli Babbitt was the first casu- false claim. That’s how so many of us believe dream, but her anger dislodged her from alty; others note January 6 as one more date we’ll resist the undertow of civil war, fact- one dream and propelled her into another. in a calendar crowded with the death days of checking our way back to solid ground. But A red dream, cascading into the Capitol, modern martyrs. All the blonde daughters of much like the cross for Pastor Dave, such cor- and—almost—through that window. the Angel Families, the term used by the right rections miss the point. You can’t fact-check a myth. Her death itself became the dream of others. Consider Garrett Miller of Dallas. When the FBI came to his door, they found him wearing a T-shirt that declared, “I Was There, Washington, D.C., January 6, 2021.” It was Ashli who led to his arrest: “A beauti- ful soul,” he wrote online. “They murdered a child.” Then he found out about Lieuten- ant Michael Byrd, the Black officer who shot her. Miller debated execution methods. He settled on a noose. “She fought fir me,” he wrote, “now I fight fir her.” Sic. It feels drier here, inland. “Record heat J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 113

The Undertow grow red in the cheek. “The spirit of 1776,” I had a name an hour south. Scott Sned- for those whose loved ones have been mur- they say. You can hear the blood throb faster don, an Air Force veteran and the founder of dered by “illegals”; every cop ever killed even in their veins. a local militia called American Patriot III%, close to the line of duty (except at the Capitol); as in the three percent of the population patri- Vicki Weaver, shot to death at Ruby Ridge by In Logan, Utah, I stop to visit an old friend, ots believe fought in the Revolutionary War, a an FBI sniper as she cradled her 10-month- Andrew. We hadn’t seen each other in 17 number to them not dispiriting but inspiring: old baby when the feds came to take her white years. He is a present-centered man. “I don’t If true, which it is not, it would mean it only supremacist husband, Randy Weaver, away really do the past,” he says. He’s a scientist, takes three percent of a people to overthrow for selling sawed-off shotguns. he studies soil, the actual land; also a cyclist, a regime. I found Sneddon’s number online extreme. As I’m driving cross-country west because he’s also a Realtor. He advertises with Most of the believers express some form to east, he’s preparing to participate in a race a big dough-faced smile, pointing at you, the of sorrow for what has become, in their imag- up its spine, border to border, 2,700 miles in customer, with hands like happy six-shooters. inations, the fact of this coming war; some the same two weeks it’ll take me to drive. I’m on the horizontal, he’s on the vertical. “How When I called, he said, sure, he’d be glad do you do it?” I ask, trying to imagine pedal- to meet. After the bad press around January ing 18 hours. “Focus,” he says. “I don’t try 6, he felt it important to show the bright side to think.” Thoughts come in the form of flo- of the militia movement. In Utah, he said, it’s ra—at Utah State he teaches a course in plant “nice. Community.” I asked what community identification, on a hike into the canyon by meant to him. Community, said Sneddon, is his home he shows me a bright yellow flower, about being prepared to take care of your own. dyer’s woad, from which a blue dye can be extracted, once so valuable it sparked wars. “Prepared?” I asked. Or fauna. “Antelope,” he says, “wild horses. “For whatever happens.” Bears. Too many bears.” Sometimes he car- “Preppers?” ries bear spray in place of a water bottle. “Yeah!” he said, pleased that I followed. Once, up north, a grizzly charged. A trucker “Doomsday?” offered him shelter in his cab. “You have to Could be, he allowed. He liked “nicer” take care,” Andrew says. terms. “Love,” he said, “is about being ready.” n Trouble in Paradise Flack’s colleague says ITV agreed that if she frequently brought to tears by the distress of P H O TO BY U . S . M A R S H A L S E R V I C E / C O U R T F I L E S , U . S . V W E AV E R I N WA LT E R “ R U BY R I D G E ” R E GA N 2002 . were found not guilty, she would be back for her castmates, the move was viewed as cyni- C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 9 5 in her blood. the summer series. But Flack was flailing. She cal game-play by some viewers, who started Flack’s boyfriend, six-foot-four-inch tennis was replaced as host of Love Island by Laura aggressively attacking Gradon online. “No player Lewis Burton, had a minor scratch on Whitmore, a beautiful 34-year-old presenter one anticipated [Love Island’s] success,” Gra- his head. Flack, a full foot shorter, was dis- who was friends with Flack and dated (and don said in March 2018, nearly two years after traught, with a large, self-inflicted arm wound eventually married) Stirling, with whom her departure. “We became public property that would require stitches. Burton request- Flack was also close. By court order, Flack overnight, and everyone had an opinion, ed that prosecutors not move forward with wasn’t allowed to see Burton. both good and bad. On leaving the show, I assault charges against Flack. Her colleague descended into quite a dark, dark place owing says the host was “clinging” to the hope that The tabloid headlines were brutal. to the amount of negativity focused towards she would be able to go to South Africa. “Flack’s Bedroom Bloodbath.” “ ‘SHE me. There were positives and some lovely TRIED TO KILL ME.’ ” “Flack Sack & Whack people, but I would always let the negatives “It would never have worked,” the for ITV.” Though Flack had warned islanders outweigh the positives. I started to believe colleague ventures, even if the case was not to read negative things about themselves what these people were saying about me was dismissed. “Probably they wouldn’t have online, she was obsessed with her own del- true.” Months later, on June 20, 2018, Gradon put her back on, because how can you put uge of terrible news coverage. “She couldn’t died by suicide. Her boyfriend, Aaron Arm- her back on? It would have made the show follow her own advice,” her colleague says. strong, killed himself 20 days later. all about Caroline Flack. Also she wouldn’t “Worst advice ever is, ‘Just tell Caroline not have actually been in the right place to fuck- to pay attention to what people are saying.’ Before joining season three of Love Island ing do it, to be honest with you.” This girl is half woman, half phone. I mean, in 2017, Mike Thalassitis was a professional there is no way she’s not going to look at it, footballer. While on the show, he earned the The charges weren’t dropped after officers because it’s human nature.” nickname “Muggy Mike” after committing testified at an inquest that Flack showed no the behavioral misdemeanor of flirting with remorse at the scene and admitted, “I hit When she died, Flack had no role on the another islander’s partner. (To “mug some- him.” She said she believed “he was cheat- show she had become synonymous with, no one off ” is to be disrespectful; the result was ing on me.” Within 48 hours, Flack agreed to producing credits to pave a new way forward, akin to being called “Jerky Jerry” in nearly step down from Love Island for the season. no contact with the man she loved, no con- every press mention.) Shortly after he left the fidence that she would escape what she felt villa, the supermarket chain Tesco released a were unjust criminal charges, and no press line of mugs that brandished the name along- but bad press. side his face; Thalassitis, while seemingly sanguine about it at the time, hadn’t trade- Sophie Gradon also found the public’s marked the phrase and made no money from intrusions impossible to escape. On Love the cups’ sale. His postshow aspirations were Island season two, the model and former implied by brand-tagged Instagrammed Miss Great Britain was partnered with Tom posts and the announcement of an Essex res- Powell before coupling with Katie Salmon in taurant he planned to open with a friend. But the show’s first same-sex pairing. Though Gradon was a sensitive presence in the villa, 114 VA N I T Y F A I R

Thalassitis killed himself in a London park Curtis Pritchard, who also gave her fanny the villa. Producers often encourage a con- on March 16, 2019, after writing in a journal flutters. Attwood, meanwhile, shrugs at her frontation to be delayed so that there are “his intention that his life should come to an mixed reception in season three. “I’ve always dramatic foreshadowing talks with other end,” according to the coroner; to announce been quite a Marmite personality,” she says, castmates, or so the islander can get more his death, some headlines even used the Love comparing herself to the divisive umami toast worked up. “It’s building up throughout the Island nickname he couldn’t escape. A few spread. Attwood was in the bottom of several day,” Somerville says. “So when you do have weeks later, Thalassitis’s business partner public votes before becoming a finalist and those conversations, they are probably going debuted The Skillet without him, though getting a spin-off series. “People either get to end up being a lot different [than] they the restaurant didn’t last the year. it and they like my delivery and my attitude, would have been earlier.” or they don’t. I’d definitely pushed some When I ask Thalassitis’s castmate Marcel boundaries, like having multiple relation- Producers also intervene with voice-of- Somerville whether contestants have respon- ships in there.” God intercom objections if contestants are sibility for the reputation they help shape discussing the show in a meta way, including with their onscreen role, or whether the show The producers’ job is to facilitate this dra- musing about how they might be perceived by has culpability for making that persona into a ma. One of the challenges, and rare peeks the audience. Mark Schaller, PhD, a profes- story line, he tells me it’s the wrong question. into the outside, is the headline challenge, sor of psychology at the University of British Each decision on Love Island precipitates where tabloid display is read out loud and Columbia, tells me that fame creates “objec- the next, but it’s less the divine intricacy of contestants must guess which one of them tive self-awareness”: When someone knows a Rube Goldberg machine than the random those awful things are being said about. others are watching them, they become spatter of chaos theory. For Thalassitis, finan- “The headline challenge is very artificial,” focused on what those people are seeing— cial difficulty and diminished social status executive producer Tom Gould says. All the whether the observed party isn’t as good as may have followed the relentless negative challenges are. But they’re rooted in lived they thought they were or as good as their press prompted by the nickname coined by experience. “People in their relationships in observers think they should be. To escape a fellow islander and adapted by a narrator. the outside world have to deal with rumors the objective self-awareness of celebrity, one But what has consequence is up to chance. and gossip and friends saying things about might engage in self-destructive behavior like As Somerville says, “It’s a conversation that them behind each other’s backs. And then drinking or suicide. On Love Island, the newly happened, and the show aired it, and then it that becomes about, ‘Well, do I trust this famous are subject to judgments they aren’t just spun off into its own thing.” other person?’ ” Cowles describes the central even allowed to acknowledge. question of interpersonal faith by bringing If the relationships on Love Island make up Casa Amor, a multiday set piece in which V. us believe the performance of love leads to the islanders, without being able to com- the real deal, the losses—it feels shameful municate with their partners, must calculate BEFORE EACH ISLANDER packs their swim- to say—seem to authenticate the depth of whether to stay in their original coupling or wear and leaves the villa, they sit down with human experience. Karen Hornick, PhD, a enter a new one. While they wait to see if their the publicity team and finally learn what the clinical associate professor at New York Uni- partner returns alone or holding hands with world thinks of them. versity who teaches culture, literature, and another person, contestants visibly tremble, philosophy, puts it this way: “There’s nothing hearts thudding so loudly they can be heard “If you do stuff that people talk about, more real than dying.” on their microphones. even if it’s negative, they’re still talking about you,” Attwood says with the agnostic prag- I V. “Casa Amor came from a notion of, matism of a professional person of interest. What’s the worst thing that can happen in “And then that multiplies your chances of PLANNING HOW YOU will be received on Love your new relationship?” Cowles says. “Oh, having other work off the back of it, because Island is out of the question; it’s impossible when they go away on a lads or a girls trip, TV producers will see that and say, ‘Okay, to even map out how you will behave. “If because you don’t know what they’re up to. well, she’s good entertainment. She’s fun. you did have a game plan,” Barton-Hanson, And then you’ll see an Instagram post and We’re going to book her. We’re not gonna the season four finalist, says, “the produc- they’re talking to another person, and that book the girl that would sit back twiddling ers are going to try and throw a spanner in sends you off on sort of an anxiety trip. We’re her thumbs for six weeks.’ The worst thing I the works.” trying to replicate real life.” could do is go on this show and be forgotten.” These derailments include the widely This surreal, condensed approximation Somerville was called a “national treasure” understood reality tools of selective editing of the traumas of the real world is obviously during the third season. But when he cheated and offscreen encouragement to engage stressful for cast members. Eliminations are on his Love Island partner, Gabby Allen, after in conflict, along with efforts to break up unexpectedly timed and follow no set rules: leaving the villa, the U.K. media turned on couples with cast changes. (One reality Viewers might vote out an entire couple or him. “You almost feel like the whole world production trick that Love Island is mostly an individual man and woman. The choice is, like, judging you and judging your char- immune to is frankenbiting, the practice might be left to the islanders, who may or may acter,” Somerville says. “It was in the papers. of stitching together out-of-context quotes not be able to confer about it beforehand. It I didn’t want to walk down the street. You’re to fabricate a narrative. While most dating is highly organized tumult. “I think that’s the like, ‘How am I even going to come through shows fold disparate moments into a coher- skinniest I’ve ever been, purely because I just this?’ You know to yourself you’re not a hor- ent romantic arc, Love Island’s real-time couldn’t relax,” Barton-Hanson says of her rible person; you’ve not killed someone. But shooting schedule means action unfolds at time on the show. everyone else has kind of villainized you.” a granularly natural pace.) Though the producers describe their role Hornick posits that the relationship of A sexually confident woman is some- as “reacting” to what happens in the villa the audience to contestants on Love Island is times rewarded by viewers for making big, rather than instigating it, their interven- so basic as to be biblical; at every “dumping game-breaking moves. Higgins came in tions heighten the proceedings in a closed ceremony,” the public gets to deliver judg- midway through season five talking about environment they designed. Sometimes ment day. Viewers have the opportunity how coupled boxer Tommy Fury gave her runners sit between people to pause a con- to reward those who seek true connection “fanny flutters” before successfully making versation because there are already too (“ ‘Anyone who does not love does not know her way to the finale with ballroom dancer many dynamic interactions taking place at God, because God is love,’ ” quotes Hornick) J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 115

Trouble in Paradise “When you start talking about your follower- two months has an accelerated life cycle ship on social media, then it becomes a little after the show. ITV steers cast members and to punish those who want the attention icky. I think that’s where the audience really toward representation that can advance of the public and the Boohoo fast-fashion got upset. And it’s understandable because their goals and interests. Couples who stay conglomerate. “There’s a difference between it’s something that’s so unrelatable: 99.97 together might be able to prolong their spot- ‘I want a partner who’s going to love me and percent of the people that watch the show light; Barton-Hanson says that her Love Island be my soul mate through life,’ ” Hornick says, have 500 followers and don’t sell diarrhea tea partner’s “manager actually said to me, ‘Oh, versus a desire for wholesale adoration. The for thousands of dollars,” he says about the if you don’t break up, you can make X, Y, and public can be brutal in exacting a distinction not-always-aspirational products influencers Z money together.’ ” But like Jon Clark, who where there may not be one. aspire to hock. Rather than landing a miracle- became hugely, briefly famous and went on to diet endorsement deal, Morais lost a third of star on the reality series The Only Way Is Essex, On last summer’s seventh season of Love his 330,000 Instagram followers, and James most islanders eventually have to move on Island, Jake Cornish became an immediate lost more than 15,000 of her original 88,000. from reality to real life. “There’s a big, wide fan favorite by launching into a nearly season- world out there, and it doesn’t revolve around long partnership with Liberty Poole, whose “[Social media] is such a febrile atmo- reality television, having everything done for “little white toes” he very vocally admired. sphere,” Jain said in 2019, not long after you, and having story lines,” he says of his But doubt of Cornish’s motives circulated Thalassitis’s and Gradon’s suicides. “Some- decision to start companies specializing in among the cast and audience when he qui- times it’s quite good to take a break from it.” meal kits and car-window tinting. “It takes etly suggested to Poole that she congratulate She didn’t mention how you might avoid you a bit of time to find your feet.” a friend one-on-one, rather than with the the platforms if your livelihood depends other islanders, with the apparent intention on them. Nor did she bring up Love Island’s “For some of these contestants, nothing of creating a scene that would yield more now-defunct Twitter game, which, like the could have prepared them,” Flack’s colleague screen time—in other words, a television headline challenge, forced islanders to hear says. “You get those people that just are like, character was doing something specifically often-cruel posts with their names blanked ‘What? Am I going to be known as the per- to generate more entertaining television. He out and guess which of them was the subject. son who went on Love Island when I’m 60 and was also under scrutiny for the timeline on working in a pub and somebody’s going to ask which he meted out relationship milestones, This past September, two weeks after me to take a selfie?’ It’s a conundrum because which conveniently aligned with the show’s Love Island’s season seven finale, the Digi- there’s a huge amount of people who want to narrative progression. Poole ended the rela- tal, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee do shows like this because they’re the experi- tionship and the pair left the villa three days of Parliament met with former islander ence of a lifetime. You can’t totally know if before the finale. Cornish was savaged in Amy Hart about how to prevent bullying somebody is going to be equipped for it.” the press and shunned after filming by the on social media. (Cast members had previ- women of the house. He did not attend the ously testified before the committee in the When I ask who has the resilience to with- cast reunion, saying, “It isn’t nice I’ve been fall of 2019, during an inquiry about reality stand negative feedback, the source close to painted this way, as a pantomime villain.” TV; Somerville told lawmakers that “the production says, “I suppose people need to be Through a representative, Cornish declined worst period of doing Love Island” was the sort of aware that things pass very quickly. You to speak with Vanity Fair for this story because subsequent exposure to real-world scrutiny.) can be in the moment with something, and he is “only accepting paid interviews.” (ITV’s “One of my death threats was traced back to it can feel like it’s probably never going to go support for outgoing cast members includes a 13-year-old,” Hart said, suggesting all social away.” Everything changes eventually, wheth- guidance on financial responsibility and media accounts be linked to an identification er you’re in the villa or watching at home. securing management.) number so that people can’t anonymously hurl virtual abuse. Paige Turley, the season six winner in At virtually the same time in America, South Africa, never met Flack. When she two couples on Bachelor in Paradise were “You don’t leave your morality at the received her postshow press briefing, instead evicted from the house by their castmates door when you’re producing a show,” of hearing negative stories about herself, she for not following the golden rule of Para- Cowles says, when asked about the show’s says, “a lot of their news was with the pass- dise: being fully receptive to “finding” love. responsibility to the celebrities it creates. ing of Caroline.” Turley got out of the villa, One couple, Brendan Morais and Pieper “But it’s not that we make decisions in a enjoyed several weeks of positive media cov- James, was flagellated on social media after morally calculated way. We do approach erage and fan interactions, and immediately discussing on camera how the show would it in the same way that you would with a went with her boyfriend into COVID lock- impact their follower count, and for Morais drama, where you’d want viewers to get the down. People, she says, were interested in seeming to lead another woman on so that satisfaction of seeing a story line wrapped “the boringest things that we’d done.” When he could maintain his place in Paradise up and ended.” On Love Island, the only way Turley shared those boringest things, it was while he waited for James to arrive. Bachelor to seem authentic is to submit to the artifice. all on her terms. in Paradise’s Wells Adams says that many You can do whatever you want in the villa, contestants, who all know each other from but what machinations are constructed to Reentry during the early pandemic, Bachelor Nation (and are paid to appear on test you and what appears on television are with the world distracted by more the show), come to the beach with potential entirely up to the producers. The levers of paradigm-altering events than who had partners or nascent crushes. It’s a process power are in their hands. sex under the comforter, made for a gen- that’s built into the production of Bachelor tler landing. Two and a half years later, with in Paradise. “We need a gauge of everyone’s Upon leaving, it would be tempting to this summer’s season soon to start, there is interest in people,” Adams says. However, hand over those levers to a new set of han- a fresh crop of islanders to bare their hearts when a relationship cements before film- dlers—agents, reporters, and social media and asses, for ITV and for us. When they are ing starts, there’s little use in appearing on followers—with the hope that they continue done with the villa and back on the outside, a matchmaking series; the pageantry makes to deliver monetary gain and external vali- they will reunite with the people they were the agreed-upon contrivances of a love game dation. But for all but a tiny fraction of Love marooned from, return to old lives that are show feel phony. On top of that, adds Adams, Island stars, significant public interest, posi- forever changed. They will be left to figure tive or negative, dissipates. Just as the show’s out how to use what they learned on Love intensity distills the timeline of love, the Island—and how to keep, for as long as they dense form of celebrity created over those can, more than they gave up. n 116 VA N I T Y FA I R

Virtual Reality and one underneath his right eye, the size TV,” Robbins congratulated Brian. “It’s prob- of a pinprick. ably been a few months since you actually got C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1 0 3 Gabby stood to sit down and relax.” up a little straighter. She gestured at the van “She gets really worked up sometimes,” with both hands, like a presenter on Wheel Brian said. “What happened this morning BEFORE DRIVING INTO the wilderness by her- of Fortune. “I quit my job to travel across was that, she was trying to set up a little self, Gabby asked Robbins if she could know the country.” Suddenly, her face crumpled, website blog”—he mimed typing—“so I gave where Brian would be staying that night, since as if she might cry again, as if overwhelmed her time. We really had a nice morning…but she would need to collect him in the morn- by the prospect of what she said next. “I’m she just got worked up as we were trying to ing. When Robbins said he couldn’t reveal trying to start a blog—so I’ve been building get going—she had a cell phone in her hand, the location of the hotel, Gabby began crying. websites and I’ve just been really stressed.” that’s why I was pushing her away.” She gazed up at the sky, as if to keep the tears “I just don’t usually drive the van so I wan- back with gravity. “But he doesn’t really Robbins didn’t ask why Gabby’s cell na make sure it’s not, like, far,” she said. Brian believe that I could do any of it.” Her voice phone provoked pushing, or why Brian would had been making Gabby feel dependent on quavered. “He really stresses me out.” lock Gabby out of a van that was registered him. The van was registered in her name, but in her name. in her mind, she could not safely drive her “Well,” Robbins interjected. “Why don’t own vehicle. we do this: Why don’t I sit you down in the “I know I shouldn’t push her,” Brian said. backseat of my car.” A male park ranger had joined them Robbins walked Gabby to her van, taking by this point, and Brian turned to him a meandering route so that she and Brian Tears filled Gabby’s eyes. The prospect beseechingly. would not interact. In her arms, Gabby of getting into a squad car terrified her. She “I was just trying to push her away to cradled the bottled waters that police had seemed to think she was in trouble. go, ‘Let’s just take a minute, step back, and given her. breathe.’ ” He pointed to the scratches on “You’re not in any trouble,” Robbins his face. “She got me.” “Something I want you to know,” Robbins promised—then he amended himself. “I’m said, telling Gabby the location of someplace not going to be putting handcuffs on you.” WHEN ROBBINS HEADED back to his vehicle, she could shower, “for like, four or five he found Officer Eric Pratt, a big man with a bucks—it does my wife wonders when she The mention of handcuffs made it seem beard, talking to Gabby. gets stressed out.” He pantomimed yelling at as if Gabby were, in fact, in trouble—not his wife: “It’s like, ‘Get in the shower. Come enough trouble to require handcuffs, but “Did he hit you, though?” Pratt was asking. on, get in the shower!’ ” trouble nonetheless. Gabby cried, indicating that he had— but she had hit him first, she claimed. Her What was Gabby supposed to say to this? As more squad cars pulled up behind account didn’t match the 911 caller’s. But the Her face was red. She looked thirsty and them, Robbins shut her in the back of his men had not listened to the 911 call.133 They scared. Perhaps she was remembering that police cruiser, the same place where crimi- decided that Gabby had been the “primary the bottled waters she carried were forbid- nals sat. aggressor” in her altercation with Brian. den. Brian hated plastic.134 Pratt joined Brian at the van, pointed a Staring through the unbreakable divider, jaunty finger at him, and announced, “You AS ROBBINS DROVE Brian to the hotel, the Gabby would not have been able to open are the victim of domestic assault,” causing two agreed that women can be difficult. the door from the inside. The notion that she Brian to laugh out loud. Robbins told Brian about being on the road was “not in any trouble” was, understand- Pratt, citing the importance of being with his wife, back when he was still a truck- ably, in question for her, as she watched anti-sexist (because women can victim- er—how as time went on, the humongous Robbins approach her beloved white van to ize men too), quickly enlisted Robbins, an semi had started to feel like “an eight-by- talk to Brian. inferior ranking officer, to get Brian a hotel eight cage.” for the night. His room would be paid for by BRIAN LEANED FORWARD nervously in his Seekhaven, the local women’s shelter. Gabby Brian commiserated: Gabby got up on his seat, talking to Robbins through the passen- could sleep outside. nuts sometimes too. “Like, I’m trying to paint, ger window. Before leaving Gabby alone in the wilder- or something, or make myself a snack—” ness, Robbins asked whether she had any “You talked to Gabby, right?” Brian asked, messages of love to convey to Brian, coaxing, “Well, that was one of the major advan- one of his thick eyebrows vaulted above the “Want me to let him know that you love him tages of having her with me,” Robbins other. He wrung his fingers in knots, look- and that you’ll see him tomorrow?” interrupted, returning to his wife, “because ing afraid. Gabby didn’t answer. In a squeaky voice, I was driving and she wasn’t, she was able to rusty from tears, she said, “Make sure he go back, get into the cooler, make us lunch, Robbins left him hanging. “Let’s go ahead doesn’t forget a phone charger.” or whatever, you know? So. There was that and get you to step out of the vehicle, all Back at the van, Brian seemed psyched as an advantage!” righty?” about the hotel, gushing to a male park ranger, “Thank you, thank you!” THE BOWEN MOTEL offered creature com- Moments later, Robbins questioned Brian “She does have a couple messages for forts like cable television and an outdoor on the roadside. “You wanna tell me about you,” Robbins said, putting words in Gabby’s heated pool. Brian’s stay there would cost those scratches on your face?” mouth. “One: She says she loves you, she’s the local women’s shelter around $150.135 looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. According to its website, Seekhaven refused Brian had two tiny red cuts, one on his Two: Don’t forget a cell phone charger.” to house men at its physical location and only right temple, about a centimeter in length, Brian grinned at this, and laughed to him- provided financial resources to men in what self. The subtext seemed clear: Women are the shelter called “emergency situations.”136 nags, but what would we do without them? During his questioning of Gabby, Pratt We’d never remember the stupid little things. recorded himself saying to Gabby, “There Our homes, or vans, would be a mess. is two people saying they saw him punch “You’re gonna be in a hotel room watching you.”137 Prior to blaming herself (a common occurrence among victims of abuse), Gabby confirmed that Brian hit her. J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 117

Virtual Reality gave Gabby something to look forward to.146 Back in Florida, she’d slapped and shoved She just needed to get through a few more her way past Brian to ladies’ night. But she But when Pratt filed paperwork about the nights with Brian—increasingly cold nights, was only 110 pounds, and once Brian got on incident, he explicitly wrote, “No one report- it turned out,147 spent playing tug-of-war over top of her, it was game over. He wrapped his ed that the male struck the female.”138 An the only blanket they’d packed.148 hands around her neck and squeezed until investigation would later confirm that Pratt the whites of her eyes turned red. filed an erroneous report.139 He identified Nina Angelo and Matthew England, a Gabby as the primary aggressor and blamed couple seated next to Gabby and Brian at The tightness around Gabby’s throat lit the altercation on her “serious anxiety.”140 Merry Piglets, noticed that Gabby seemed up her brain’s panic centers.156 As her amyg- sad that day and Brian seemed pissed off.149 dala kicked into high gear,157 pain flooded “She was struggling with her mental At one point Brian stormed out of the restau- her body.158 Her head felt like it was going to health,” Robbins agreed in his report. “At no rant and Gabby trailed after him, crying. Brian explode.159 Black and white circles peppered point in my investigation did Gabrielle stop charged back inside, directing his aggression her vision, making it difficult to see Brian’s crying, breathing heavily, or compose a sen- at the all-woman staff. He and Gabby then left face or discern his state of mind—what was tence without needing to wipe away tears.” the restaurant without paying. Their server he feeling as he choked her? Fury? Nothing at Perhaps another cop would stop to wonder followed them outside. Finally, they settled all? Gabby couldn’t talk him down this time. whether getting slapped, then interrogated their bill on the sidewalk. Afterward, Brian The words caught in her throat—she couldn’t about it—and eventually labeled “the aggres- walked in and out of the restaurant several breathe, or speak, or scream. sor”—might have caused Gabby’s distress. more times, apparently seething. But Robbins proceeded to diagnose Gabby as The campsite stayed eerily quiet. Gabby being in “a manic state,”141 when in reality it “This guy is freaking me out,” Nina said kicked her bare feet. Her lips began to swell. was Brian who’d been so excitable that Rob- to Matthew. Blood vessels burst in and around her eyes bins had commented on it, asking if Brian like tiny red fireworks. was always so “hyper” and whether he took Gabby followed Brian back into the restau- any medications. rant and reluctantly asked for a refund. When Brian tightened his grip, slamming Gab- the manager refused, Gabby apologized on by’s head against the rocky ground over and Ultimately, Robbins seemed to discredit Brian’s behalf before turning to Brian and over. It was a long, deliberate process. Death Gabby’s statements solely because they con- pleading, “Please, let’s just go!”150 by strangulation, one of the most lethal forms flicted with Brian’s, writing, at one point, that of intimate partner violence,160 can take up Brian’s version of events “was not consistent Finally, they did. to four or five minutes.161 with Gabrielle’s statement, further suggest- ing her confused and emotional state…. After L ATER THAT NIGHT,151 Brian and Gabby For roughly the same duration as her evaluating the totality of the circumstances, locked up the van in Wyoming’s Bridger- favorite Beatles song, “Let It Be,”162 Gabby I do not believe the situation escalated to the Teton National Forest and crossed one of suffered in silence, and knew what was hap- level of a domestic assault as much as that of the streams that ran along the one-way dirt pening to her. a mental health crisis.” road.152 A crude footbridge had been con- structed out of tree limbs.153 They walked five She died afraid. “Thank you so much, for everything!” more minutes to their campsite, where they’d Brian gushed to Robbins in the hotel lobby. built a firepit encircled by large, smooth WHEN IT WAS over, Brian moved Gabby’s stones from the surrounding creeks.154 Visi- body to a more secluded part of the camp- “No problem, nice to meet you, Brian, tors to Bridger-Teton were not supposed to site.163 A necklace of bruises circled her have a good one,” Robbins said. camp outside designated areas. But Gabby throat. Her pupils were dilated. Her muscles and Brian’s location boasted a scenic view were starting to stiffen.164 It was easy to pic- TWO WEEKS LATER, on August 27, Gabby of the surrounding mountains.155 There was ture Brian crouched over her, wondering, as and Brian drove an hour142 south from their no one around to hear them fighting. Nobody he often did, “Did I do something wrong? next campsite to eat lunch at Merry Pig- for Gabby to befriend, or to come to her aid Why won’t you talk to me? Did I mess up? lets,143 a Wyoming Tex-Mex restaurant that when Brian inevitably lost his temper. Where’d you go? Should I apologize? Am I served spicy margaritas144 and prided itself bothering you? Sorry? What did I do? Are on servers’ ability to carry four large drinks Some would later wonder if he did it while you busy? Is it my fault? Are you okay? What at once in only two hands.145 In a few days, Gabby was sleeping. She was small but scrap- happened?”165 Rose would be flying out to see Gabby, which py, the kind of kid that fought back—when Brian had tried to steal her van, Gabby had Eventually, he covered her in a blanket. catapulted herself into the car like a ninja. “An effort was made,”166 Brian had decid- ed. “It hurt itself in its confusion.”167 133. ibid. 134. @bizarre_design_, combined with Brian’s cold rain hit your tent and fight @bizarre_design_ for reports, Gabby’s body was found on the declined slope statements on the Moab police body cam video the blanket” 149. Newsweek 150. WABC, The Sun, of a creek bed. But there were no signs of a struggle 135. Bowen Motel website 136. Seekhaven.org NewsNation YouTube “Retracing Gabby Petito’s Steps” on the ground itself, indicating that Gabby was likely 137. Statements made by Officer Eric Pratt on his own 151. Merry Piglets occurred on August 27, 2021. On the not murdered at the site where her body was found, body cam video 138. Moab police report 139. Statement 29th, Brian began hitchhiking alone—acting strangely, and suggesting that Gabby might have been killed inside on Investigative Review of Aug. 12 Petito-Laundrie according to those who picked him up, not wanting the tent, then carried out and placed on the creek bed. Incident. The investigative report ultimately concluded anyone to get too close to the campsite where Gabby’s (The tent was then packed up and carried away, taking that Pratt and Robbins made multiple unintentional body was later found. Based on his September 1 arrival any signs of struggle with it.) Furthermore, Gabby’s mistakes, including failing to listen to the 911 call back in North Port, Florida, Brian would have needed corpse was barefoot; her shoes were found near her before the stop. They photographed Brian’s injuries, to leave Wyoming by August 30 at the latest. Gabby’s body, indicating she might have been in the tent at but none of Gabby’s, and lost the photos they did take. remains were found on September 19. The coroner the time of her death, since campers will often take off They questioned Gabby about hitting Brian, but never determined that Gabby’s corpse had lain in the wild for their shoes and leave them outside the tent door. questioned him about hitting her. Their biggest mistake, three to four weeks, pinpointing her time of death 164. VeryWellHealth.com. “What Physically Happens to according to the investigative report, was not citing sometime between August 27 and 29. 152. NewsNation Your Body Right After Death” 165. @blaundrie1197 Gabby for domestic violence assault. 140. Moab YouTube “Retracing Gabby Petito’s Steps” 153. Daily Mail (Brian’s Pinterest) 166. ibid. 167. ibid. 168. WTSP.com police report 141. “Mania” is a medical diagnosis. 154. ibid. 155. CrimeOnline.com 156. Ranker.com 169. The Sun 170. Google Maps 171. @mirandabaker medicalnewstoday.com 142. Google Maps 143. WABC, 157. ibid. 158. ibid. 159. Quora. “Have you ever been (TikTok) 172. ibid. 173. ibid. 174. ibid. 175. Insider New York 144. merrypiglets.com 145. Merry Piglets strangled” 160. New Jersey Domestic Violence Fatality 176. Nomadic Statik (Brian’s Spotify) 177. Genius Facebook 146. Mirror 147. timeanddate.com and Near Fatality Review Board, NJ.gov 161. Ranker.com 178. @blaundrie1197 179. @gabspetito (Pinterest) 180. ibid. 148. @gabspetito “…it’s nice to lay listening to the 162. “Let It Be” on YouTube 163. According to news 181. ibid. 182. ibid. 183. ibid. 184. ibid. 185. ibid. 186. ibid. 118 VA N I T Y FA I R

BRIAN GRABBED GABBY’S keys, ATM card, a total of $1,000 from Gabby’s checking her head, a thin but welcome barrier against and phone.168 To create the impression that account.175 He followed the highway signs the cold night air. Moonlight filtered through Gabby was still alive, he sent text messages to Florida, periodically swiping through Spo- the open weave. Stars freckled her cheeks. back and forth between their two phones169 tify to add breakup songs to his “Mtn Tops” The Grand Teton Mountains surrounded her, and proceeded to hike 27 miles north to Col- playlist.176 containing more than 200 trails that she had ter Bay,170 occasionally sleeping on a tarp he yet to hike. brought with him, intent on creating an alibi Perhaps, like many people his age, Brian that he’d been nowhere near Gabby at the pictured his life as a movie, and as he left his By then, Gabby’s precious Ford Transit time of her death. On August 29, around 5:45 fiancée to rot, he wanted the right soundtrack was long gone. But even if she’d been aware p.m., Brian flagged down a passing driver, for that strange and distinguishing moment. of its absence, Gabby might have felt relief. Miranda Baker, and offered her $200 to drive He settled on soaring songs about broken Unlike Brian, she didn’t want to live in a van him 30 minutes south to Jackson Hole. Brian dreams, holding hands, and tomorrows that forever. Someday, Gabby wanted a big house told Miranda he’d left his wife at Spread Creek will never come.177 that was at least two stories tall,179 with a vol- to do a little camping by himself and wanted leyball net strung across the backyard180 and to get back as soon as possible. As they drove “Your future self is watching you right now an outdoor projector screen, so that she and to Jackson,171 Miranda texted her mom to say through your memories,” he thought.178 Rose and all the other friends Gabby had yet that she’d picked up a hitchhiker.172 Miranda’s to meet could sit under the stars and watch mom texted back, asking if Miranda had lost The songs about lost love suggest that Netflix together.181 A pool would be nice.182 her mind. She demanded that Miranda share maybe Gabby had, in fact, dumped Brian at her location in case Brian killed her.173 Merry Piglets. Perhaps he was fixated on that Once Gabby started thinking about it, angle of the story, relishing the moody music there were so many things she had yet to But Miranda wasn’t scared; Brian seemed about getting dumped to remind himself that do.183 She would learn to knot her hair in calm. The two made pleasant small talk. “I’m he was the victim in this situation, just like an easy chignon.184 She would tattoo “so it alive,” Miranda texted back after Brian left the Moab police had said. goes” on the inside of her elbow.185 She would the car. “Don’t worry—he was very nice.”174 dress her future children in tiny shirts that LATER, GABBY LAY on the rocky embankment said “Happy,” and take them to the beach at AFTER RETURNING TO the van, Brian began that sloped toward a crystal blue creek. In a sunset, and hold them against her chest to driving, stopping now and then to spend sense, she’d finally won her tug-of-war with keep them warm.186 She was only 22 years old. Brian; the gray, crocheted coverlet they’d been fighting over lately was pulled up over Her life was just getting started. n Londongrad Is Falling Down the U.K. arm of the organization. “This whole duplex next to Dormition Cathedral, seat of anonymous-ownership problem would have the U.K.’s Russian Orthodox diocese. “He C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 5 7 can’t sell them fundamentally undermined the sanctions was trying to endear himself by saying that to English people,’ ” she recalls. Wealthy over- which the foreign secretary is particularly his firm deals with Russians all the time,” seas buyers wanted “brand-new, absolutely proud of.” Various data leaks in recent years Borisovich recalls of the broker, who told him virgin” residential properties and had the cash have been crucial for NGOs seeking to shine they had recently sold a $32 million property to put down immediately, Borwick explains. a light. And while admittedly British busi- to one of Russia’s regional governors. “That’s “As a developer, why not take the money.” nesses that serviced Russian wealth—banks, when I looked at him: ‘Would you be saying accountants, lawyers, and real estate agents— the same if this was a Mexican drug dealer? Proving Russian ownership of a London seemed for a long time to have jettisoned Would you be telling people with the same home is not always easy, never mind taking their scruples, without better public informa- sort of pride that you’ve done it?’ ” The bro- the legally binding action to seize such assets. tion it will be difficult for such London service ker went quiet as Borisovich railed about how The advocacy group Transparency Interna- firms to avoid inadvertently falling afoul of local officials in Russia were not paid nearly tional U.K. recently published an analysis of sanctions in future. And that may in turn rely enough—at least not by honest means—to open-source data—including property own- on those that understand such bad behavior buy an apartment in Knightsbridge, where ership and court records, leaked information best—other outraged Russians. the most recent data puts average real estate and journalists’ investigations—that shows transactions around $4 million. Since that around $2 billion worth of U.K. property has Like Roman Borisovich, a blond, barrel- encounter he has lobbied for transparency. been purchased by Russians who either have chested Columbia University grad who’s Corruption, Borisovich says, is “the cement, links to the Kremlin or are accused of corrup- worked as a senior trader at Merrill Lynch and this is the concrete of the foundation” of tion. The majority of the properties are in just and an investment banker at Deutsche Bank. Russia’s current government. “There is noth- three central London neighborhoods, includ- Raised in Moscow by Russian and Ukrainian ing else that holds it together.” ing the Royal Borough of Kensington and parents, he returned to the Russian capital Chelsea. “When people talk about it as being to help run a struggling Soviet-era insurance It has the power to metastasize. “The less one of the world’s major money-laundering behemoth and became an early supporter of probity or propriety we have in our system, hubs, I think that’s quite right,” says Duncan Alexey Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Founda- the more open we are to manipulation and Hames, who heads policy and programs for tion. Around the time Borisovich’s wife was exploitation by ruthless or authoritarian held for an extended period at a Moscow regimes like the one we see in the Krem- airport while returning from a European lin,” says Kinnock, who spent several years vacation in 2012, Navalny cautioned him that living in Russia during the mid-2000s. New he might face Kremlin accusations of spying rules he and others are advocating for would for Western governments. The banker moved follow a U.S.-style registry of foreign agents his family right back to London, where they and empower independent forensic accoun- subsequently lived for several years. tants to perform due diligence on all party donors. “We can actually then start to clean On their hunt for a new apartment there, up our politics, and to protect the integrity a “young punk” of a real estate broker pro- of our democracy.” n voked his ire during a tour of a penthouse J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 119

Open Road run against DeSantis, a defeat she called James Carville has called Demings’s fight “devastating” because it “underscored to unseat Rubio one to watch, saying “her h a sC O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 6 5 g o t t o that no voter can be left behind, and there momentum is building.” counter that attack early on—defining her- is always a need to reach one more person.” self before they define her.” Especially with Because Florida remains a microcosm of PERSPECTIVE IS WHAT Demings says she’d the pervasiveness of Trumpism, Biden’s America, James has advised Demings not bring to the Senate. She likened it to abysmal approval rating, and history not to overlook crafting distinct approaches the weight borne by recently appointed being on the Dems’ side as the incumbent for communities that tend to be viewed Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jack- party. On the trail, Demings has already as monolithic, like the Latino and Black son. “When I heard that she was the first been playing some fierce offense. Besides communities, while forming strategies to Supreme Court justice who had served as Rubio’s history of flip-flopping on policy get young voters engaged on issues they a public defender—so none of the others and numerous scandals, she’s been calling care about, such as student loans and know what it’s like to represent poor people out some of his delinquencies, like letting fair policing. and hear their experiences?” Demings ques- Floridians know he voted against COVID tioned. “The perspective that she brings assistance for families and that he supports James’s strategy for Demings to tar- [to] the bench is so desperately needed.” overturning Roe v. Wade—he introduced a get the Latino electorate, a demographic It’s not one limited to race, either, she said, bill to penalize companies like Amazon with which she’s most vulnerable against calling out Justice Clarence Thomas: “He’s and Apple that have promised to reimburse Rubio and one where Biden’s popularity not looking out for me and my children and employees’ abortion travel in a post-Roe keeps dropping, is to distinguish herself grandchildren. It’s bigger than color, it’s big- world—though recent polls show most of the from the current Democratic brand tied to ger than party. [In Jackson,] we have another state’s constituents oppose abortion bans. socialism with an issues-first approach that Thurgood Marshall—this is important.” Demings has also been pointing to Rubio’s resonates with the diverse community. That neglect, telling voters he doesn’t show up means immigration reform, access to health One afternoon, our conversation on rep- for them, in the literal sense: “Marco Rubio care—including reproductive rights—child resentation drifted to Harris, who has since has one of the worst attendance records in care, paid family leave, and educational become a public incarnation of the hurdles the United States.” Of roll call votes in the and career opportunities “where you don’t women of color must still overcome even Senate, he has missed more than 330 out have to work three or four jobs in order to when they get to the proverbial table. “That of roughly 3,650—the fewest appearances pay your bills,” James said. Also, they’ve you can be the smartest, the brightest, but of any Florida senator in more than 50 been pushing the fact that Demings has when you walk in a room, people got to get years. (The median among lifetime voting championed criminal justice reform in a past your Black face,” she said. “Because, absences for currently serving senators is way that is real and inclusive of community just by that, there are certain beliefs about 2.2 percent; Rubio comes close to 10 per- engagement. And although it’s stalled, let- who you are.” And though Demings doesn’t cent.) He was also absent from Biden’s first ting voters know she has been one of the invoke race much, she understands first- State of the Union address, citing COVID biggest supporters of the Build Back Better hand how stereotypes stacked against Black testing requirements. plan, Biden’s signature bill that Rubio voted women influence presumptions of what we against, calling it “Build Back Socialist”— can and cannot do. Those perceptions win But Floridians know Rubio. Demings has relying on a talking point that particularly and lose elections. less than half of his “95 percent name ID resonates with Cuban Americans who are record in the state,” she told me. Despite more conservative and susceptible to GOP “In Val there’s hope,” Representative that, polling—like February’s Mason-Dixon anti-socialist messaging, while leaning into Robin Kelly said of her longtime friend and survey—has the two-term senator’s support the Republican tactic of a tried-and-tested colleague’s campaign, “that we can move under 50 percent. To Demings, that’s a sign path to victory that revolves around hot- closer to that promise of America.” Dem- “people are open to an alternative. I’ve just button issues (critical race theory, Disney, ings’s life is also “a story of success,” her got to make sure I have the resources to book bans, the Big Lie, etc.), stoking it every Delta sorority sister, Representative Joyce be able to communicate in a state with 67 which way to incite panic among their base. Beatty, told me. “She understands multiple counties and 21 million people.” Foreman, systems and how to work through them the political scientist, sees that as precisely Then there’s the matter of money. His- without ever forgoing on her principles… her weakness. “She needs to be doing more torically, Black women “are three times it’s the power within her.” If successful, in South Florida to be known,” he said, more likely to be out-raised than any Demings will become the only active Black because “the people who watch cable TV, other demographic that they may run female senator and third ever in its 233 they know her, but like the regular voters, against, especially white women,” James years, behind Carol Moseley Braun and primary voters, I don’t think know her.” said from her experience on various cam- Harris. (It took 24 years from Braun’s elec- paigns, including Stacey Abrams’s current tion to Harris’s win.) She will also be the Stefanie Brown James of the Collective gubernatorial run in Georgia and Charles second woman elected to the Senate from PAC said it would take grassroots efforts Booker’s bid to unseat Kentucky senator Florida since Paula Hawkins in 1980. to boost voter awareness of Demings. Her Rand Paul. But Demings and her team told team backed Gillum’s 2018 gubernatorial me she has donors statewide and from the Records aside, this run is a most con- other 49 states averaging $26 in contribu- sequential assignment Demings has been tions. After announcing her run last June, ready to complete. “Oprah talks a lot about Demings raised $4.6 million to Rubio’s that aha moment,” she said, “when we think $4 million in the first quarter, a statewide about that, we think it’s like really big and record of $8.4 million by the third quar- powerful, but it’s usually not. It’s just that ter, followed by a shattering $10 million quiet moment that tugs at the heart. And (to Rubio’s $5.8 million) at the top of this John Lewis, his legislation, now he’s gone, year. All said, her campaign has averaged $8 but now we are the guardians of what he died million a quarter, cementing her as Rubio’s for, risked his life for. So, we got to continue foremost challenger ahead of the August to do that. If not us, then who? primaries. Veteran Democratic strategist “When I make it to the U.S. Senate, it will not be the same.” n 120 VA N I TY FA I R

Scene Stealer the women entered to find a pigsty, strewn Facebook, “The more I get to know [Finchie], with empty alcohol bottles. Beyer was the more I realize she is actually a superhero CONTINUED FROM PAGE 79 people an upset—she had made clear to Finch that she masquerading as a regular person.” emergency had come up and she needed hated alcohol, that the smell of it was trig- two tickets back to Kansas, immediately. gering for her. Finch came up with a quick On Thanksgiving, Finch proposed. They Finch returned to Kansas with Beyer and explanation: Eric must have broken in and wanted to get married as soon as possible so stayed while Beyer processed the news with trashed the place. At this point, Beyer pan- that they could set the wheels in motion for her children. Finch was meeting them for the icked about their romantic involvement. legal adoption. If something ever happened first time. Brendan had trashed every inch of Getting her kids back was her number one to Beyer, Finch said, she wanted to make the house that Beyer would soon be moving goal. After Brendan, she couldn’t afford to be sure the kids would never end up back in back into. with a person who had someone so danger- foster care. After all Beyer had been through, ous in her life. Sometime later, Finch assured the thought soothed her. Finch consulted Two weeks after the suicide, still in Tope- her that everything was going to be okay. Eric Rhimes about her adoption lawyer. The kids ka, Finch—unbeknownst to Beyer—wrote the had gone to the Philippines, and per a legal started calling Finch Jo Mama. following email to the writing staff at Grey’s order, he could not return without her being Anatomy: notified. Beyer accepted this explanation and Soon after their engagement, Beyer went on. After all, she needed Finchie, and had her first doubt about Finch’s veracity. Hey all, Finchie loved her. Beyer’s oldest son had landed a role in The I’ve been absent and coming back Nutcracker, to be performed over Christmas tomorrow…I just don’t know who’s looped Then, Finch, in a curious move, brought at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. It was into what and I’d rather put it out there so her worlds together. In November 2019, a momentous occasion for Beyer, who hadn’t no one is in the dark or feeling egg-shelly. Finch was to receive a Sentinel Award—an seen him dance in a year. She’d planned a I’ve gone bc my brother died by suicide. award for television that educates viewers to party with family and friends to celebrate He was on life support for a short while but make safer choices for their lives—for her first his accomplishment. During the party, Finch ultimately did not survive. I say this not bc Jo episode, “Silent All These Years,” and she said she was having excruciating pain. It’s I need or want anything from anyone, I’m invited Beyer to come out. Beyer was reluc- probably kidney stones, she said. Beyer said not a delicate flower or whatever, I just tant—a red-carpet Hollywood awards thing she should go to the hospital and that she’d want people to know I’m still here, still was beyond intimidating. But Finch said she go with her. Finch vehemently resisted the part of the team. (I intended to just power wanted her to have a dazzling evening and idea, but Beyer insisted. through my episode shoot, but I recognized to get all pretty. She bought Beyer heels and I needed to just take a bit of time away to took her to the hairdresser. A friend let her When they were face-to-face with the process.) …Missed y’all. borrow a dress. Going into the event,Finch doctor at the hospital, Finch, to Beyer’s Finchie. led the way. Beyer noted how she breezed exasperation, wasn’t saying anything about them in quickly, so quickly they didn’t talk her medical history. Beyer stepped in to say She later elaborated to her Grey’s Anatomy to anyone, and went straight to their seats. that Finch had cancer, and only one work- friends that because Eric was a doctor, he On their way home, they shared a car with ing kidney. The doctor said, “Let’s go into knew exactly how to shoot himself without Debbie Allen, who sat between them. Finch the doughnut of truth,” referring to the killing himself, forcing her to be the one to breathlessly controlled the conversation, doughnut-shaped CT machine. When the pull the plug. It was his final act of vindictive- asking Beyer to show Allen pictures of her results came back, he looked at Beyer and ness—like trashing a house. “We cried with children and their talents. The television asked, pointedly, “Are you married?” Beyer her,” one recalls. star oohed and aahed over them—a surreal said no, but that they planned to be soon. moment for Beyer. Looking squarely at Beyer, the doctor said, Finch was now fully committed to two “Her kidneys look fine,” stressing the plural. divergent realities—one with her girlfriend Later that month in Kansas, in preparation After they were discharged, Finch dismissed and another with her Grey’s Anatomy fam- for the kids coming out of foster care, Beyer his wording. “He probably just meant that ily. Keeping both realities intact required a led the cleanup of the house Brendan had my one working kidney looked fine,” she bold sleight of hand. Shortly after Brendan’s trashed. The act had become a ceremonial, said. Finch later groused, “They don’t care suicide, Finch took Beyer on a trip to Hawaii, communal affair. A dumpster was delivered. about my pain.” where they stayed at the fanciest hotel she’d Many people, including nurses from the ever seen. Finch told Beyer it was a work hospital, helped fix doors and faucets, and Beyer pushed the strange incident to the trip. Meanwhile, she told work she was scrubbed every inch. Finch, in her yellow rub- back of her head, and in February 2020, they going to Hawaii because she had to reunite ber gloves, took a starring role. A friend had got married on the beach in Palos Verdes. It her dead brother’s illegitimate Filipino baby brought a chain saw, which Beyer used to cut was just them and two sparkly Hollywood with the baby’s mother in Hawaii. up her bed, the site of marital rape. Finch took names. Mickey Rapkin, who wrote the book the video of it all, which they discussed send- on which Pitch Perfect was based, and Rap- Back in the Beyer reality, Finch’s brother ing to Carly. Like that day in court, Beyer’s kin’s husband, the actor Jason Butler Harner, was very much alive—but dangerous. On one friends couldn’t believe how generous Finch who performed the ceremony. Soon, the visit to Finch’s apartment in Santa Monica, had been to fly in from Hollywood like that… women would start looking for a house in especially after she told them that she was Los Angeles big enough for the whole family. missing the Emmys that night, and she had Rhimes excitedly shared with Finch informa- been nominated for one. An Emmy? They all tion about which Los Angeles schools would knew this was a huge deal, although no one be a good fit. bothered to check the internet—the Emmys had already taken place two months earlier. Those first months of marriage coincided Beyer’s daughter, her oldest child, was so with the arrival of COVID. Finch’s cancer touched that she made up an Emmy victory took center stage. Grey’s Anatomy produc- dance for Finchie in front of the dumpster. As ers talked about getting her a hotel room in one Kansas friend who was there posted on Topeka to protect her from being around the kids—her colleagues were “perpetually wor- ried” about Finch and COVID, according to one. Meanwhile, Beyer’s kids took pains J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 121

Scene Stealer it. Beyer knew the drug to be extremely tox- friends, she had now taken her therapist, the ic, especially to one’s kidney function, and person Beyer had trusted most in the world. to protect her. Her daughter chose to stop that any doctor prescribing it would need to In fact, Finch was about to set off for a four- attending school in person for her benefit. be supervising that patient regularly; Finch week stint with Carly in Arizona. When one of Beyer’s sons came down with wasn’t under such care. It was getting tense. COVID, the boy’s main fear was for Finch, With the kids getting up, Beyer suggested There was an extra dark twist. Although that he might cause her death. The summer they take a drive and continue the conversa- Beyer physically had her kids, she still and fall of 2020 brought more stress. The tion in the car. legally shared custody with DCF. In order anniversary of her brother’s suicide was to regain full custody, she relied on Carly’s so traumatic that Finch wouldn’t be able They parked by the mall. Beyer, holding reports to show the court that she was stable to meet deadlines, she told coworkers. As back on all she knew, listened patiently as and fit. Now Finch, out in Arizona, was in the National Guard rolled into cities, and Finch made a confession—well, a partial her ear. Who knows what she was telling George Floyd protests turned violent, Finch one. Finch “admitted” that she had at one her? While that nightmare played out in her found fresh triggers for the Pittsburgh time had cancer, but that she got chemo and imagination, another played out on the tele- trauma. Firecrackers, loud sounds from recovered. She explained how she loved the vision screen. Beyer called up an episode of movies, a rainy night—all could bring her attention so much that she continued to Grey’s Anatomy written by Finch after she’d crime scene back. A dream catcher with a pretend she had it. Beyer upped the ante. left treatment, one she watched in horror: In tree of life design that Beyer had on the wall So if you had chemo once, then where’s your flashback scenes, Jo works with her beloved was too upsetting for Finch. She made Beyer port scar? There was nowhere for Finch to therapist, a new character named Carly, at take it down for a period. On one occasion, go with this one. Beyer said, “I think there’s a mental health facility. “I had a husband Beyer’s daughter’s school suddenly went more that you need to tell me.” They were who beat me, but he’s dead now,” Jo tells on lockdown when a suspicious charac- leaving the next day for Los Angeles to look Carly. Jo is “a runner,” Carly declares in ter was spotted on school grounds. While at houses. Beyer demanded that while they one scene, referring to someone who bolts Beyer and other parents descended on the were in California, Finch tell her everything. under stress. They do EMDR (eye move- school, confused and panicked about their ment desensitization and reprocessing) children’s safety, Finch stayed home, citing While looking for the perfect house to therapy together. Beyer had used EMDR her Pittsburgh trauma. spend the rest of their lives in, Beyer private- tappers—handheld paddles that vibrate ly agonized. Later, at Finch’s Santa Monica and buzz—not the device in the episode. One day, with a tinge of suspicion, Beyer apartment, she unloaded with what she knew Aside from that detail, so much seemed to began scrolling through Finch’s Facebook. as well as what she suspected: I know you were be Beyer’s story. (Finch gave an interview She scrolled all the way back to the day of the targeting me, mirroring me. I think you yourself to Self in which Finch claimed she, too, used shooting, October 27, 2018, and found that wrote that threatening letter from Eric. I don’t EMDR therapy after Pittsburgh.) Another Finch had been out with Rapkin. The next think the details about the shooting were real. person might have hollered the injustice day—the day she was supposedly cleaning up Finch replied, “Yes. Yes.” (According to the from the rooftops. her dead friend’s body—she was again out coordinators of the two Chevra Kadisha with friends. A chill went through Beyer’s burial societies that conducted the cleanup Feeling utterly defeated, Beyer got a sitter body. She continued scrolling, more franti- in Pittsburgh, nobody named Elisabeth Finch for her kids, checked herself into the Cyrus cally now. Here were pictures of Finch when was involved.) As Beyer recalls, there was no Hotel, and planned to take her own life. But she had a bald head—yet her eyebrows and emotion, no tears. Finch maintained that she she couldn’t go through with it. Instead, she eyelashes were still full. As a nurse, she knew was a victim of her brother’s childhood cru- got in the car and drove—three days straight that chemo patients who lose their hair often elty—the one piece she held on to, as if this to the same Arizona facility where she’d met experience the loss of other body hair, like fact somehow explained the rest. Beyer told Finch. She called Finch on the way to tell her brows and lashes. She found pictures that Finch she couldn’t live like this, keeping all that she, Finch, had won—that she should go showed the bandage over what was presum- this to herself, and that she needed to confide back and take care of the kids, that’s what ably a port scar. A port scar? Finch didn’t have in someone else. everyone wants anyway, and the kids loved one; Beyer knew her body as intimately as her. She asked only that she not post pictures a person could. The bandage itself looked Upon their return to Kansas, they began making herself to be the hero, rescuing the shoddy—wrinkled, and open at the edge in telling a few key friends—the same support children from her sick wife. When Finch places, which would allow for infections. group who’d been there for court and the returned to Topeka, Beyer’s daughter, still She’d put such bandages on patients many house cleanup. But the whole thing took a coping with the suicide of her father, now times and knew the correct way to do it. This chilling turn. The friends accepted that Finch feared the worst about her mother. Would was not it. A hideous fear began sinking in. lied, but it all seemed to roll right off. In the she ever get better? According to Beyer’s scheme of things, they still considered her to daughter, Finch subtly nursed these fears and Beyer gathered herself as she prepared be Beyer’s dazzling savior, a misapprehen- led her to believe that she, Jo Mama, was the for a confrontation. She had a plan in mind— sion that made Beyer spiral further. Finchie only one she could count on. to love Finch harder in the weeks leading up, meanwhile told them that Beyer was falling to let Finch know she could trust her, and to apart because of her own past trauma, that Beyer reentered treatment in March 2021 take baby steps. They were in the Topeka Beyer was conflating her, Finch, with Bren- with a single goal: to be wherever the kids house, having just woken up. Beyer said, as dan. And they seemed to believe it. were going to be. She felt she had to make gently as she could: “It would be good to it work with Finch, who could legally retain know what medications you’re on.” Beyer Beyer was desperate for someone to talk visitation rights or petition for guardianship. had asked the question before, but Finch to. Her longtime local therapist had just Her therapists advised that if she was to had found the query too triggering as it retired after an injury. She reached out to remain in this marriage, she needed to explic- reminded her of her brother. But that morn- Carly—dearest, devoted Carly—who told itly say what she could and couldn’t tolerate. ing, Finch listed them off. In response to one her she’d provide some referrals. Then Finch With this plan in mind, she went with Finch of the drugs, Beyer said she highly doubted dropped a bomb: She had hired Carly as her to a weeklong marriage intensive therapy, she was taking it, even if she had a bottle of own therapist; Carly had started a private a last-ditch effort to save the relationship. practice, Finch explained, separate from the Beyer told Finch that she could not tolerate treatment center. Not only had Finch stolen living a lie and made a list of everyone Finch details of Beyer’s life, stolen the trust of her 122 VA N I TY FA I R

had to tell the truth to—Finch’s parents, and asked for one final thing before they part- As Finch and Beyer’s divorce negotiations her core people from childhood, and L.A. ed—that Finch tell the kids the truth and say got underway, Beyer started seeing similarly friends. Finch wasn’t happy about it, but she goodbye. Finch went through with the con- cryptic posts—including one that seemed promised to do it. fessionals, in two sessions with therapists straight out of Brendan’s taunting playbook. In present. She did not seem contrite, says March, Finch posted a picture of the bed at the Finch dragged out confessing for months Beyer. Rather, at the conclusion of one of the Cyrus Hotel, with #onelasttime, an allusion to and months. When Yom Kippur rolled sessions, she stomped around angrily and the Ariana Grande song that begins with the around, Beyer suggested this would be an later accused Beyer of leaving her stranded. lyric, “I was a liar, I gave in to the fire.” She still appropriate time. Finch pushed back, saying Beyer continued to fear that Finch would sue fears that Finch will somehow jeopardize her Beyer shouldn’t be calling the shots, that she for custody or visitation rights. rights to her own children. “You took those had to do it on her timeline. Eventually Finch kids from me,” Finch wrote in a recent text. ran out of excuses. Beyer held her feet to the In February, Beyer received a forwarded fire to confess to a small group of friends, one email from someone in Finch’s inner circle Finch has hired Andrew Brettler, a by one—a confessional tour. In each conver- that was making the rounds. It was the email high-powered L.A. litigator who has rep- sation, she owned up to her lies—there was from Finch to her coworkers telling them resented Prince Andrew, Chris Noth, and no cancer, no friend killed in Pittsburgh, no about her brother’s suicide—weeks after Armie Hammer. Though the network con- lifesaving abortion. But she held on to the Brendan’s. As bad as Beyer believed Finch’s sidered an investigation into Finch, it did bit about Eric’s alleged abuse as the original machinations had been, only now did she not proceed with one after Finch said she sin. None took it in the way she apparently grasp how completely Finch had siphoned off would take a leave of absence. On March hoped. According to a source, Finch demon- her life. She found Rhimes’s email address 31, she said in a statement to Hollywood strated what seemed like practiced remorse, and composed a message: Please stop letting trade outlets: “ ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is one big- but when asked more questions in detail, Finch tell “her stories” anymore, because they’re hearted, brilliant family. As hard as it is to shut down. News of her confessions started other survivors’ stories. When she didn’t hear take some time away right now, I know it is spreading to a wider circle of friends. Accord- back, she texted showrunner Krista Vernoff more important that I focus on my own fam- ing to one, “We all went through this really the same message. Shortly thereafter, Beyer ily and my health. I’m immensely grateful to traumatic thing for 10 years, thinking our got a call from Disney H.R. Disney, ABC, and Shondaland for allowing friend was going to die. And then in a way me to do so and for supporting me through she did. But we lost her in a way we surely With rumors about Beyer’s claims swirl- this very difficult time.” did not expect.” ing, the folks at Grey’s Anatomy went Criminal Minds. Her colleagues quickly learned that People who loved and cared for Finch Finally, Finch had to face her parents. Bey- Eric Finch was alive and working as a doctor are grappling with the why of it all, and the er sat beside her in the car for a FaceTime call in Florida. They reevaluated everything—like fact that dozens of people were damaged in with them. When she felt Finch dodging, she her wild laughter in the room when she said Finch’s wake. But as a former coworker of spoke up. “I have something to say.” She gave something tragic: Was she laughing at them Finch’s puts it, “Searching for the why puts the play-by-play about how Finch had mir- for believing her? And the title she gave to her at the center of our thinking, instead of rored Beyer, with Eric taking on some of the her first cancer episode: “Anybody Have a the people who have been hurt.” That person monstrous acts of Brendan. Finch sat there Map?” It was from a song in Dear Evan Han- recently had a cataclysmic dream in which quietly and confirmed it. They were in utter sen, a musical about a compulsive liar. In late a therapist then showed up and said, Some shock and demanded that she rectify it with March, on the day before her 44th birthday, behaviors you’ll never make sense of. Eric, somewhere, somehow. she posted on Instagram the album cover of The Greatest Showman, about huckster P.T. “I felt like it was my subconscious telling Finch did not rectify anything with Eric, Barnum. As the post showed, she was lis- me, ‘If I go down the road of trying to under- according to Beyer. She did not come clean tening to the song “From Now On,” about stand her, I will only be in a circle and I will to her coworkers, and according to numer- the end of the showman’s glory days. Was never get a satisfactory answer.’ Whatever ous sources I spoke with, never seemed all this to be taken at innocent face value, or her motivation, whatever her Rosebud sled to grapple with what she had done. When had she been dropping clues along the way is, if we find it, even if she tells us, how could Beyer refused to let up the pressure, Finch this whole time? we believe it?” the source says. “At this point, announced she was divorcing her. Beyer she may just be a shell.” n VANITY FAIR IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ADVANCE MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS INC. IN BOTH THE U.S. AND THE U.K. THE U.K. EDITION IS PUBLISHED BY THE CONDÉ NAST PUBLICATIONS LTD. UNDER LICENSE. COPYRIGHT © 2022 BY THE CONDÉ NAST PUBLICATIONS LTD., VOGUE HOUSE, HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON W1S IJU. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. PRINTED AT WALSTEAD ROCHE. Vanity Fair July/August 2022 No. 740. The magazine is published monthly (except a combined issue in July/August and December/Holiday) by The Condé Nast Publications Ltd., Vogue House, Hanover Square, London W1S 1JU (telephone: 020 7499 9080). SUBSCRIPTIONS rates include delivery and digital editions. Full rates are £49.90 for one year in the UK, £79 for the rest of the world. To place your order, call +44 (0)1858 438 819. Special offers and exclusive promotions are published in this issue or online at vanityfair.co.uk. To manage your subscription, log onto www.magazineboutique.co.uk/solo. For enquiries, email [email protected] or mail to Vanity Fair, Subscriptions Department, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, LE16 9EF, UK. VANITY FAIR is not responsible for loss, damage, or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork (including, but not limited to, drawings, photographs, or transparencies), or any other unsolicited materials. Those submitting manuscripts, photographs, artwork, or other materials for consideration should not send originals, unless specifically requested to do so by Vanity Fair in writing. Manuscripts, photographs, and other materials submitted must be accompanied by a self-addressed overnight-delivery return envelope, postage prepaid. The paper used for this publication is based on renewable wood fibre. The wood these fibres are derived from is sourced from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. The producing mills are EMAS registered and operate according to highest environmental and health and safety standards. This magazine is fully recyclable—please log on to www.recyclenow.com for your local recycling options for paper and board. TO FIND CONDÉ NAST MAGAZINES ONLINE, VISIT www.condenet.co.uk; TO FIND VANITY FAIR, VISIT www.vanityfair.co.uk. J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2 123

VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE The Lookbook LA MICHAUX ALICIA VICTORIA Alicia Victoria aims to reduce raw leather waste and establish a new definition of beauty. Designer, Alicia Linz, has dedicated herself to creating bags with unloved leather skins which otherwise would be discarded; mainly focusing on accessories. She believes that true beauty does not lie in pristine perfection but in the uniqueness that characterises each leather and thus each product. Photographer: Bastian Bochinski. Visit aliciavictoria.de IG: @aliciavictoria.leather BELLA BRETT AIRLEA Sustainable and Get inspired by LA MICHAUX’s latest FREEDOM minimalistic Collection. A collection and campaign inspired collections, by everyday luxury - time and experience, using dedicated to the the highest quality fabrics. Comfortable, modern woman. luxurious and sustainable designs are at the Airlea is a recently forefront of the brand and their swimwear is founded swimwear designed to accentuate the female body. brand inspired by Greek summertime. Visit lamichaux.com and IG: @lamichaux The brand’s mission is to praise the simple yet rebellious act of being yourself, embracing every woman’s right to feel good about their body. Visit airleaswim.com IG: airlea_swimwear RACHEL WALTERS COLLECTION The desire for a kinder and more authentic approach to fashion led to the creation of Bella Brett; an imaginative brand that inspires expression and fosters harmony between clothing, people and the planet. Sustainability is core to the brand, informing every decision. Their pieces are handmade to order in Scotland and will fit seamlessly into your wardrobe, transitioning from season to season. Treading the line between signature elegance and vintage-style cool. Visit bellabrett.com IG: @bella.brett AUGEO PUELLA P Y L I N TA R O Rachel Walters Collection is a luxury contemporary collection cut from natural fibres Augeo Puella translates Designed and in flattering and unique silhouettes. Their pieces to “grow little girl” in produced in Latin, which is exactly Melbourne, are both current and timeless, speaking to a how the designers felt Australia, Pylintaro streamlined, romantically elegant woman. The when they had their designs and collection includes ethically produced ready-to- firstborn daughter meticulously (Nazly) who is the creates timeless wear, and pieces that can be customised to inspiration behind the and staple pieces clients’ preferences. Visit rachel-walters.com brand. They wanted for your wardrobe. to create something Their pieces offer a IG: @rachelwalterscollection beautiful and meaningful, fresh combination that’s exclusive and of comfort and innovative, and that style, and can be also has a sense of infantile playfulness. Augeo worn wherever, Puella’s products are made of high-quality whenever – perfect materials that are designed to last and become for any occasion. ageless pieces in your wardrobe. Visit: pylintaro.com Visit augeopuella.com IG: @augeopuella IG: @pylintaro

VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE EREVAN OLARSGRACE ARA OlarsGrace is an ArA is a slow all-inclusive fashion brand who womenswear brand designs durable that appeals to the garments made on classy, stylish and demand. Their contemporary collections are woman. They pride made of organic, themselves on using dead-stock and the highest quality recycled materials. material for Every piece is affordable prices, handmade in while combining Europe and in the alluring, bold UK. ArA embraces colours to create femininity and does timeless and unique not believe in any pieces. OlarsGrace isn’t just any brand, but a gender bias. ArA is brand that inspires people through fashion. for people who love Visit olarsgrace.com IG: @olarsgrace people. Visit ara-at.com IG: @ara__atelier MOLINA SUAZ L AV E AU Molina Suaz is an Australian based leather goods brand letting you carry a touch of elegance wherever you go. Their products are made with top quality, vegan and genuine leather and designed with practicality, simplicity and elegance in mind. Visit molinasuaz.com IG: @molinasuaz Since 2020, erEvan creates timeless pieces LIAN BY LIAN Laveau is a sustainably-minded brand unafraid TO APPEAR ON THESE PAGES, CONTACT [email protected] OR CALL 020 7152 3705 that are calling for travel. Flowing cuts and to be confidently lost, helping people see beauty light colours are combined with high-end Based in Australia, within imperfection. The prints are pieces from LIAN BY LIAN is a materials including Japanese denim to new and upcoming drawings that are recreated into the create a poetic and ethereal allure. A brand for the adventurous, whimsical, and ethereal prints to collection of fragrances will soon complete effortlessly chic commemorate and appreciate the hurdles one the brand’s inspiring synaesthesia. woman that everyone is. Founded has to go through in life. They feature Visit erevanofficiel.com and meticulously womenswear, sportswear, and home collections. IG: @erevanofficiel designed by Rachelle Gosden, her pieces Visit laveaucollection.com and are created with the IG: @laveauofficial finest quality materials in limited quantities, giving your wardrobe a luxurious edge. Visit: lianbylian.com.au IG: @lian.by.lian ASHLEY STAMBOULI LEIZI Ashley Stambouli is Embrace the spirit a high-end of summer with the womenswear brand freshest haute by a Venezuelan garments that bring fashion designer. the spirited ode of Focused on Mediterranean designing for the days and nights woman who filled with embraces cosmopolitan sophistication and elegance and elegance, the brand glamour. Offering strives for unique Portuguese chicness. All pieces craftsmanship and are exclusively innovative fabric, handmade in the the ‘Orange Silky Miami Atelier. Visit Dreams’ collection ashleystambouli.com IG: @ashleystambouli is ready to embark on a trip to any destination. Visit leizicollection.com IG: @leizicollection

VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE The Lookbook L O O M I N AT E YAZ THE LABEL AMA THE LABEL In pursuit of redefining wardrobe essentials, Yasmin Glasgow created YAZ The Label in 2021, a British fashion brand which combines timeless design with effortless individuality. Their debut collection, ‘Evening Essentials’ encapsulates the brand’s core values: quality, uniqueness and affordability. Each piece is unorthodox yet classic. Visit yazthelabel.com IG: @yaz.label Loominate was created from a belief that the SELFISH SWIMWEAR modern lifestyle deserves comfortable and Selfish swimwear is versatile clothes to suit everyday needs. a sustainable and Advocating innovation with a sustainable ethical designer mindset, they release limited quantities to brand. All their pieces are handmade minimise environmental impact. This from the design to eco-friendly kapok dress has a unique and the last stitch by flattering silhouette, perfect for transitioning their own team in Montreal, Canada. from work to drinks. They take pride in creating Visit loominategroup.com comfortable, elegant, IG: @loominate.designs and timeless swimsuits for women of every age, flattering her best asset, her curves. Visit selfishswimwear.com and follow @selfishswimwear on IG. BONGIORNO NOMAD London-based AMA THE LABEL’s SS 22 Collection ‘Gloriae’ is a reflection on Bongiorno is a Founded in Dubai, leader in design NOMAD is a female transcendental visions which aim to connect and custom-made owned, home-grown, shapes and colours in a symbiotic relationship. headwear, often locally designed and collaborating with manufactured brand With experimental direction being the label’s iconic brands and from the UAE. From foundation, the brand commits itself to ethical local institutions. fabrics to trims, labour practices and sourcing natural materials Mister Softee sustainability is at Bucket hats are the core of the brand to produce conscious garments. With each back in stock, just and they use collection, AMA showcases its eclectic instinct. in time for the recycled, reusable Spring/Summer and naturally sourced Visit amathelabel.studio season. Visit materials. The brand IG: @amathelabel.studio bongiornobrand.com also devotes and IG: @bongiorno donates $2 from every item sold to its charity partners. Visit fromnomad.com IG: @from.nomad EIGHT SWIMWEAR WALKER & BING J OY E M PAT H Y The best of both Soft summer days lounging around under trees, Australian sustainable worlds, Eight with the sun gently filtering through. Walker & petite fashion label, Swimwear embodies Bing sarongs in silk cotton are hand-rolled and JOYEMPATHY designs an elegant yet bold beautifully soft to touch. They can be worn over and ethically take on beach-to- swimwear or as a vibrant pop of colour when manufactures petite town swimwear. styled as a scarf or wrap, in any season. Visit: garments in bold and With versatile pieces walkerandbing.com IG: @walker_and_bing joyful prints that you that range from will adore season after refined and minimal season. Combining to luscious and Earth-aware materials vibrant, each piece and digital printing honours the pursuit with meticulous of evolving makers and femininity with empowering messages, elegance and their collection is edge. Photography designed to fit you and by Sebastian Romero. Visit your love for our Earth. Visit joyempathy.com eightswimwear.com IG: @eightswimwear IG: @joyempathy

VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE 7 AND ELEVEN ARCTIC AFFAIR LXRY APPAREL 7 AND ELEVEN is an Arctic Affair creates LXRY Apparel is a upcoming unisex luxury knitwear, fashion house based clothing brand that perfect for the working out of Atlanta supports mental woman. Born from a redefining the idea of health. Inspiration need to look elegant luxury. Specialising behind the brand whilst also wanting to in outerwear, the comes from the feel warm and cosy brand intentionally numbers 7 and 11 – when sitting in contrasts high-end they are power business meetings. All garments with numbers. Simple garments are produced nostalgic vintage designs but nothing in Italy using high- touches, providing simple about the quality, luxurious yarn your wardrobe with quality. Make it a 7 while respecting an authentic yet AND ELEVEN kind of environmental and stylish edge. day and add these ethical standards. Photography by essentials to your Photo by Olga Makina. Taylor Moore. Visit everyday collection. Visit 7andeleven.com Visit arcticaffair.com lxryapparel.com IG: @7andeleven_ IG: @arctic_affair IG: @lxryappvrel_ NAFARI MODA VIVIENNE PASH ORZA Based in Seattle, With this collection, USA, Nafari Moda Aurélie Alezeraa is a luxury shoe expresses her vision of brand founded by designer swimwear: chic two art lovers. The glamour conveyed Iranian-born through various founders combine ambiances. The new unique designs with collection includes fine Italian leathers, ultra-chic models for creating evening wear, and very outstanding shoes glamorous swimwear that embrace made of precious fabrics individuality. Each embellished with shoe is sustainably hand-embroidered beads. made and hand- Swimwear becomes painted with leather jewellery. Photography paints. Nafari Moda accepts custom orders. by Marc Richet. Visit: orzaboutique.com Visit nafarimoda.com IG: @nafarimoda IG: @orza_luxury_swimwear_paris PROMESA LINDA MEYER-HENTSCHEL TO APPEAR ON THESE PAGES, CONTACT [email protected] OR CALL 020 7152 3705 Originally from Jamaica, New York based Linda Meyer- fashion designer Vivienne Pash started her Hentschel is your career from an early age. With a true passion at go-to brand for a heart and a natural skill for design, Vivienne perfectly curated fueled her imagination and was able to visualise wardrobe. On her a series of new collections which she brings to quest for the perfect white t-shirt, life each season. Linda fell in love Visit: viviennepash.com IG: @viviennepash with Sea Island Cotton. This rare and precious cotton, together with grade A cashmere, became the core elements of her unique collection of luxury essentials. Visit lindameyerhentschel.com IG: @lindameyerhentschel For LA-born brand Promesa, true style and LOWPROFILE OLIVETTE beauty are more than skin (or fabric) deep. On a mission to inspire and empower women to look A minimalist style A women-owned and feel their very best inside and out, you’ll love embodies the and founded LOWPROFILE brand, multi-brand Promesa’s stylish yet wearable clothes made consisting of simple boutique that from quality fabrics and craftsmanship with pieces with a brings global, flattering shapes for your body. Photography by statement element. sustainable and With a focus on ethical brands to Jared Fix. Visit shoppromesa.com versatility, each piece one platform. IG: @shoppromesa pairs perfectly with Aiming to give your one another to wardrobe a higher achieve a Lowprofile, sense of purpose, high statement look. they have curated a Visit lowprofile.co.uk cutting edge IG: @lowprofilelabel selection of pieces that elevate your style by doing more, with less. Photography by Cierra Porter. International shipping available. Visit: olivette.shop IG: @shop_olivette

VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE Hot Picks 12 1. GAIA HOMEWARE, a mother and daughter venture based in Kent will 4 3 help you create a luxurious and stylish space with their beautiful 56 eco-friendly furniture and homeware. All designed and produced to 89 10 11 protect the planet and bring a touch of nature to your home. Alex, 13 14 co-founder, creator and furniture maker offers a bespoke service 15 for her handcrafted furniture and wooden wares. Appointments can be made through the website or Instagram. Visit gaia-homeware.com IG: @gaiahomewareuk 2. HIGHER STATES ceramics are designed by artist and designer, Chloe Park. Each piece is inspired to bring in elements of organic beauty with an avant-garde edge to invoke freedom. All truly unique pieces and handmade in the spirit of quiet luxury. Visit higherstates.live Email [email protected] IG: @higherstatess 3. From Canada to the World, MILLION YEARS CANDLES offer the perfect gift in a box. Their candles are made of coconut soy wax infused with natural fragrance oils. Their elegant scents will make a statement in your inner space while enhancing the mood in your surroundings. Visit millionyearscandles.com IG: @millionyearscandles 4. ARTISSANOS pieces are designed by Mari Tefel and crafted by Nicaraguan artisans. Their impeccable craftsmanship and traditions come together to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Their handmade goods will be subtle reminders of wonderful moments spent at home 7 and a sense of goodness given to the artisan communities. Visit artissanos.com IG: @artissanos 5. TRACEY COOPER designs contemporary homeware and gifts. Her work is vibrant and joyful, bringing colour and originality into the home. Celebrating British manufacturing ensures the highest quality fabrics and craftsmanship for all her products. For unique quality homeware visit traceycooper.co.uk IG: @tracey.cooper.artist 6. Inspired by clean, genuine living, CULTURE OF GOOD offers handmade, sustainable scented candles. They use wooden wicks for added texture and sound, alongside curated scents that create moments of nostalgia that transcend you back to your favourite memory. Visit shopcultureofgood.com Email [email protected] IG: @shop_cultureofgood 7. BOBBIE WATCHES is a London-based, independent watch brand. 12 The company’s first collection is named after three inspirational women and the founders are committed to empowering every woman to be bold and live life colourfully. Bobbie has donated 10% of their first collection to Smart Works. Visit bobbiewatches.com IG: @bobbie_watches 8. LA MÈCHE - Home of one of the largest ranges of sculptural candles. Exquisitely handcrafted in Sydney, Australia, using a natural soy wax blended with the most opulent fragrances. Discover the La Mèche range online. Visit lameche.com.au IG: @lamechecandles 9. FISCH INC is a bespoke design company helmed by Ash Fischer and located in Marrickville, Sydney. With a design focus on interior lighting and recycled homewares, Fisch strives to explore beauty in the mundane. Ash’s products sit at the intersection of environmental consciousness and functional design, drawing on aesthetic tropes from the 60s and 70s. Visit fisch.com.au IG: @fischinc 10. DOLLY ‘N’ STAN is a British-based, luxury dog grooming brand specialising in fragrance sprays to keep dogs smelling and feeling fresh. All of their fragrances are vegan, cruelty-free and packed with vitamins B3, B5, B6, C and E. Visit dollynstan.co.uk IG: @dollynstan 11. ELEGANTLY BOXED offer a unique range of carefully curated gift boxes. Their focus is supporting Black owned and small British businesses to offer customers a beautifully presented gift for a friend, colleague or loved one. Use code VanityFair30 to get 30% off (expires 30/10/22). Visit 16 elegantlyboxed.co.uk IG: @elegantlyboxed 12. LOOK DOLLICIOUS is a nineties inspired, accessories haven for the eccentric twentysomethings. Everything is handmade with love, with the highest of quality. Shop their eclectic range of luxurious handmade gold Tarot decks, scented candles, snazzy keychains, bags and more. Visit mylookdollicious.com IG: @lookdollicious 13. IQUAR, founded by Paris-born and London-based designer Matilda de Lageneste, creates a range of hand-sewn silk scarves. Manufactured in the UK, the colourful designs aim to bring a versatile addition to everyday styling. Visit iquarparis.com IG: @iquar__ 14. Quality meets craftsmanship at ANTONI BARCELONA. They offer a luxurious range of hand-blown and painted artisan glassware, embellished with mesmerising colours and patterns. Visit antonibarcelonaglass.com IG: @antonibarcelonaglass 15. WOLF’s effortlessly sophisticated jewellery cases combine the finest materials with over five generations of handmade tradition. Interiors are treated with Lusterloc™ to keep your jewellery sparkling and ready-to-wear. Made for home and travel with designs for every taste. They have the perfect jewellery box for everyone. Visit wolf1834.com IG: @wolf1834 16. LOLA & FLUFF is a curated collection of luxury goods for the modern pet. They offer beautiful, modern, and high-quality designs for the posh pawdience that want to match their parent’s contemporary aesthetic. From vegan leads to artisan-made apparel, 5% of all sales are donated to animal rescues. Visit: lolaandfluff.com IG: @lolaandfluff

17. Everyone’s going wild for KORRFLEX. Their lush faux suede workout 17 VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE mats are made from sixteen recycled plastic bottles and natural tree 20 rubber. Featuring six luxe colours that match with any home decor, or roll 23 18 19 up for the gym and yoga. Designed in Australia. Visit korrflex.com.au 21 22 IG: @korrflex 24 25 27 18. Enjoy the pleasure of sharing moments with luxury and unique tableware pieces with ALEGORIA CASA. Based in Brazil, their products 30 are made with unique watercolours and artisanal techniques. Visit alegoriacasa.com.br IG: @alegoria.casa 19. VORN creates timeless wardrobe staples for a discerning buyer. Specialising in knitwear, this Colombian brand appreciates comfort whilst providing a sophisticated edge to their clothing. That’s why their collection is made with natural fabrics. Visit vorndesign.com IG: @vorndesign 20. NOT JUST A JOURNAL is a mindfulness journal and planner in one. Consciously designed to promote happiness, self-awareness, organisation, creativity, and productivity. The undated pages prompt daily gratitude, appointment and task times, goal setting, positive habit tracker, self-affirmations, and end of day self-reflections. Visit notjustajournal.com.au IG: @notjustajournal 21. ARAW is an artisanal ice cream company inspired by vibrant cultures and authenticity from around the world. Their ice cream aims to deliver a sense of childhood nostalgia with every scoop. Their unique and unexpected flavour combinations help give that vibrant feeling. All their ice creams are made with natural, thoughtfully sourced ingredients – no shortcuts, preservatives, artificial flavours or nasties. Visit arawlondon.com IG: @arawlondon 22. A personal masseuse to target your cramps. NOMISK’s Maia is a warm, relaxing massage that hits all the right spots. The combination of heat and massage therapy helps to soothe the feeling of cramps and reduce the appearance of bloating. Visit nomisk.com IG: @nomisklife 23. LOVE LANE LONDON offers prêt-à-porter evening wear and bridal accessories for eco-conscious fashionistas. Mix and match elegant dresses with trendy capes and exquisite hair accessories, including their Swarovski Pearl String which can be worn as a headband, necklace, or bracelet. Items are sustainably made with love in London. Visit lovelanelondon.com IG: @lovelanebridal 24. Beautiful, high-quality minimalist workout equipment ready to compliment your home decor and atmospheric vibe. BERRYDOE’s design and performance-driven training gear 26 wants you to succeed in style and simply feel better when working out. Visit berrydoe.com IG: @berrydoestudio 25. BLUE CYPRESS CERAMICS creates hand-built and TO APPEAR ON THESE PAGES, CONTACT [email protected] OR CALL 020 7152 3705 wheel-thrown porcelain vessels that serve as both utilitarian and heirloom. Potter, Jane McGee, draws inspiration from the nature she was immersed in as a child, growing up on the East Coast of the United States. Visit bluecypressceramics.com IG: @blue.cypress.ceramics 26. At SELF-CARE SUNDAYS, they believe in routine practices that make us feel peaceful and serene. Their natural soy candles are blended with a mix of essential oils and made with 100% domestically grown soy wax, each one individually handcrafted to assist you in your personal self-care routine. Visit: shopselfcaresundays.com IG: @shopselfcaresundays 27. Elly founded ELLY HOME DECOR to help others 28 de-stress and bring peace and wellbeing into their homes. Her soy and coconut wax scented candles and pillows are handcrafted with love and beautifully packaged in her studio in Trinidad and Tobago. Her candles are available in four sizes and nearly 40 scents. Use code VanityFair15 for 15% off (expires 31/08/22). Photographer: Alicia Pierre. Visit ellyhomedecor.com IG: @ellyhomedecor 28. BAILIES COFFEE ROASTERS, based in Belfast, 29 sources some of the best coffees from around the world. Crafting world-class coffee experiences; from Espresso Blends, Single Origins and Microlot coffees that showcase the skilled labour of their farming partners. Visit bailiescoffee.com IG: @bailiescoffee 29. FORT are a brand new men’s skincare brand, based in 31 the UK. All of their products are 100% natural, certified vegan and cruelty-free. This is the new generation of high-performance skincare for men, without the guilt. Visit fort-men.co.uk IG: @fortmenscare 30. BUNNIE CADDIE has reinvented organisation when it comes to your little one! Stylish yet functional, seen here is a beautifully neutral caddie with thoughtfully designed compartments to ensure you have everything you need at arms reach. Visit bunniecaddie.com IG: @bunniecaddie 31. EDMUNDS COCKTAILS, delicious full strength cocktails, hand crafted using local, premium ingredients and delivered right to your door! Sustainability is a key focus for the brand and for every box sold they plant a tree. Visit edmundscocktails.co.uk IG: @edmunds_uk

VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE Putting On The Glitz 1 1. PRAIRIE SKY JEWELRY CO is an Oklahoma based jewellery brand focused on 2 handcrafting heirloom quality and bespoke pieces using traditional silversmithing 5 3 techniques. Inspired by the American West, they are pieces designed to be 4 passed down for generations. Featured is the ‘Bad Moon Rising’ pendant in sterling silver and American turquoise. Visit prairieskyjewelryco.com 8 IG: @prairieskyjewelryco 10 11 2. AMORCITO is an ever-evolving jewellery brand on a mission to create fun and 13 playful designs while retaining a high-quality standard to help your pieces last a 14 lifetime. San Diego-based designer, Vanessa Murnane, gains inspiration from the beauty that exists throughout the landscapes of the California coast. For the bold, 16 colourful, and outspoken. Visit amorcito.us IG: @amorcito_jewelry 6 3. ZOE HOOP. The ‘Fear Not’ hoops are a contemporary meaningful pair of hoops with a high quality solid finish. Designed to remind you not to be afraid. Crafted by artisans in developing countries with good working conditions. Visit zoehoopjewelry.com and follow @zoehoopjewelry on IG. 4. ADAE JEWELRY strives to be the ultimate shop for hypo-allergenic, tarnish resistant, high-quality, everyday jewellery. They believe jewellery is diverse and inclusive; just like people. With 18-carat PVD gold plating, unique stones, and freshwater pearls, they only introduce pieces they are proud to put their name on. Visit adaejewelry.com IG: @adaejewelry 5. Australian brand CVLCHA designs unique, eye-catching, and elegant pieces which are contemporary, yet timeless. They are distinctive everyday statement pieces that 7 embody the beauty of culture and empower confidence in expression. Each design is lovingly and flawlessly crafted by global artisans. Visit cvlcha.com IG: @cvlcha 6. ILAYA JEWELRY offers beautiful, extravagant, and statement jewellery. Designed in Miami and handmade in India by artisans, each piece is made using natural semi-precious stones, baroque pearls, and 22K gold plated brass. Ilaya is all about enhancing your true natural beauty by shining through with one of their feminine contemporary pieces. Visit: Ilayashop.com IG: @ilayajewelry 9 7. ADARAYA JEWELLERY designs bring different materials together in perfect harmony with high-quality materials. Inspired by women, every piece aims to find perfect interceptions between craftsmanship, materials, countries and people. Visit adaraya-jewellery.com IG: @adaraya_jewellery 8. NOSTALGII JEWELRY is a fine jewellery brand focused on creating elegant, minimalist 14k solid gold and natural diamond jewellery for the modern woman. Their feminine pieces are perfect for everyday wear and can also be dressed up for an evening out, whether worn alone or layered. Visit: nostalgiijewelry.com IG: @nostalgiijewelry 9. DELILAH COLLECTIVE is a Canadian brand that creates handcrafted, delicate jewellery statements. Inspired by simple beauty and joy, Delilah uses ethically sourced freshwater pearls, glass beads, sterling silver, 18ct gold-filled findings and clay 12 to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Visit delilahcollective.com IG: @delilahcollective 10. Las Vegas-based brand EARTH SAGE JEWELRY was created to honour spirituality. They have three stunning collections: Talisman, Secret Garden, and Earth Stone, each created using the lost wax casting method. Visit earthsagejewelry.com IG: @earthsagejewelry 11. TIPSY HYPSIE offers a range of handmade jewellery, preserving mother nature’s beauty by using dried and pressed botanicals, paper butterflies, suncatcher glass, sea findings, crystals, gemstones and more in their creations. See more online at tipsyhypsie.ie and @tipsyhypsie on IG. 12. Inspired by the art of fragrance, JOSÉPHINE DE STAËL revives Parisian Art Nouveau fine jewellery techniques to reveal the polysensory wonders of the natural world. Paris, London and Milan-trained designer and jeweller, Joséphine has created a summer collection featuring strawberries, cherries, lemons and the featured Ukrainian sunflower - available online and at 15 Flying Solo in Soho, New York City. Each jewel is hand-sculpted in wax, cast in silver and 18k gold and/or enamelled by Joséphine and features Japanese hand-woven silver/gold thread. Visit josephinedestael.com IG: @josephinedestaeljewellery 13. Every bracelet by CANDY BEADS is handmade to order. Made with Healing Crystals or 14K Gold Filled Beads, these bracelets are strung on flexible elastic and personalised to bring individual meaning to the wearer – a modern take on nostalgia for friendship bracelets. Visit: candybeads.co.uk IG: @candy_beads1 14. GEMELLA JEWELS. As third-generation jewellers, Anna and Rachel were always surrounded by their family’s extravagant one-of-a-kind pieces, which have become 17 their greatest source of inspiration. The Dancing Queen bracelet is 18k gold with pink sapphire 23.1ctw. The bracelet is 7.5 ̋ and is available in other precious stones, yellow gold and black gold. Visit gemella-jewels.myshopify.com IG: @gemellajewels 15. FIEL JEWELS merges timeless statement pieces with the gospel of God. Their tarnish-resistant vermeil jewellery is meant for the show stopper and fashion-forward. This beautiful collection is not only made to enhance your wardrobe but also to transform your life. Featured are the Meri Huggies. Visit shopfiel.co IG: @fieljewels 16. ALLISON AVERY is your new demi-fine jewellery brand designed to make every woman feel unique. Allison’s fun and edgy pieces will make you feel like a Goddess whether on vacation or in a board meeting. There’s no such thing as too much bling. 18 Visit allisonaveryco.com IG: @allisonaverycollection 17. HINE FINE JEWELRY is an NYC-based jewellery designer who creates custom jewellery and engagement rings. She specialises in antique diamonds. Hine is known for her #bringmegrandmasjewels campaign, where she repurposes stones from older jewellery and creates exquisite modern designs. Visit hinefinejewelry.com IG: @hine.nyc 18. THE KADAI is a social enterprise based in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo that engages local communities to create timeless pieces that reflect their cultural diversity. Elevating and empowering one community at a time, The Kadai strives to bring you closer to the cultural wonders of Borneo. Visit thekadai.com and IG @thekadaiofficial

19. LA DAJE encourages women to feel sexy, confident and rebellious. 19 VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE Featured is their Cavo Paperclip Charm Bracelet in 18k gold vermeil with their new Palmanova Gold and White Enamel Pendant. All their pieces 20 21 are handcrafted in Italy. Visit ladaje.com IG: @la.daje 20. BY RAE offers the perfect high-quality, affordable everyday jewellery. Their pieces are waterproof and non-tarnish meaning that they can be worn throughout summer in the sea and the shower without fear of turning green. Sustainability sits at the heart of By Rae, they plant a tree for every order placed and all their jewellery is packaged in recycled cotton pouches. Visit byraejewellery.co.uk IG: @byraejewellery 21. With great attention to detail and a deep love for colourful crystals, ERGINA JEWELS creates Greek handcrafted treasures to be passed on from mothers to daughters, from elders to youngsters. Visit erginajewels.com IG: @erginajewels 22. MARE DE VETRO introduces curated collections that showcase the 22 most definitive pieces for the modern woman. They combine traditional 23 hand craftsmanship with the finest materials, and integrate a design ethos that prioritises purity and integrity. Visit maredevetro.com.au IG: @maredevetro.seaofglass 23. ALANA MARIA is a contemporary Australian fashion label dedicated to 24 wearable luxury. Their collection combines a sophisticated range of statement and everyday pieces. All pieces are designed and handmade to a standard of perfection in Sydney, by a team of empowered young women. Visit alanamariajewellery.com IG: @alanamariajewellery 24. VINTAGE PARIS JEWELRY takes you on a journey to the past with vintage 25 26 and antique jewellery circa 1800’s-1990’s. Their pieces are crafted from semi- precious stones and precious metals, with handmade pieces inspired by and infused with vintage components. See the full collection at vintageparisjewelry.com and follow @vintageparisjewelry on IG. 25. ASH HERRERA redefines exquisite jewellery to help you make a statement. The combination of classic pearls and bold pendants creates the perfect glamorous look. Featured is their gorgeous hand-wrapped silver wire with freshwater pearls, anchoring a clear faceted quartz tear drop stone. Visit ashherrerajewelry.com IG: @ashherrerajewelry 27 26. MAYBEA is a handcrafted jewellery brand with the purpose to elevate the every day. The combination of freshwater pearls and metal chains is the epitome of modern class. These materials 28 29 paired together create the perfect balance of an everyday statement piece that is tailored to you. Visit maybea.co.uk and @maybeaofficial on IG. 27. EVERTESS is a demi-fine jewellery brand committed to 30 curating timeless, one-of-a-kind pieces to live with you through cherished memories. Inspired by California’s golden coast, each piece is handcrafted in premium-grade materials and wrapped in 14k gold to ensure longevity. Ethically manufactured and female-owned, Evertess Jewelry is the perfect addition to your everyday style. Visit evertess.com IG: @evertessjewelry 28. MY BIJOUX is a Canadian jewellery brand that believes jewellery is so much more than just an accessory – Jewellery tells stories, TO APPEAR ON THESE PAGES, CONTACT [email protected] OR CALL 020 7152 3705 evokes emotions, and enables people to express themselves. They offer a well curated collection of everyday pieces that are high quality, hypoallergenic, and durable that will last for years to come. Visit 31 mybijouxtoronto.com and follow @mybijoux.toronto on IG. 29. COSENZA NYC is an American-based, handcrafted jewellery brand founded by cousins Mia Selvaggio and Maria Gennarelli-Zaccaria. Their curated collection of gold-filled and vermeil jewellery is inspired by the beaches and castles of Cosenza in Italy. They offer international shipping. Visit cosenzanyc.com IG: @cosenzanyc 30. AVIKA is a Thai jewellery boutique founded from the passion of the 32 owner. Their pieces are classic, timeless and versatile – perfect for every 33 occasion and all ages. They meticulously select special materials, such as pearls from the Andaman Sea, when creating their jewellery. Visit a-vi-ka.com IG: @jewellery.avika 31. BENEKE JEWELLERY is a new brand which uses the natural world as 34 design inspiration. From the colours and delicacy of florals to star constellations, their aim is to capture Earth’s beauty and translate this into high-quality, affordable jewellery. Featured is their Green Diana Hoop Earrings. Visit benekejewellery.com IG: @benekejewellery 32. ILONA is a Danish jewellery brand founded by designer and creator Josephine Ilona. All designs are handmade in high quality materials with the desire to keep the production sustainable and ensure high quality. The organic designs are inspired by the textures and shapes of our surroundings. Visit josilona.com IG: @josilona 33. NOE & MANE is an inclusive jewellery brand with an aim to challenge the 35 stereotypical views surrounding the jewellery industry. They specialise in an effortless approach to compliment everybody’s individual style. Pieces can be layered or worn individually without having to overthink the styling process. Visit noeandmane.com and follow @noe_and_mane on IG. 34. At the intersection of affordability and quality is ANNIE AUSTEN, a brand focused on tarnish-resistant, hypoallergenic, and size-inclusive pieces. From intricate pendants to adjustable rings, they believe that every day is a special enough occasion to wear something you love. Visit annieausten.com IG: @shop_annie_austen 35. FLUX STUDIO creates classic, feminine pieces that’ll be sure to grab everyone’s attention. Each design is uniquely crafted by hand, incorporating gold filled, stainless steel and sterling silver materials to ensure a long-lasting piece of jewellery you won’t find elsewhere. More at shopfluxstudio.com and @shopfluxstudio on IG.

VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE Putting On The Glitz 36. Based in Canada, CAROLILY FINERY designs and meticulously creates 36 37 38 stunning handcrafted statement jewellery that embodies a sense of self-expression and the notion that we should celebrate life at every stage. 39 40 They use sterling silver, hypoallergenic stainless steel, pearls and gemstones to craft pieces that are beautiful in appearance and versatile in use. The brand is mother-daughter owned and inspired by female empowerment. Featured is their Kim Necklace – the sparkling combination of silvers, platinum and crystal makes this a truly glamorous necklace. Visit carolily.com IG: @carolily_finery 37. FULLORD Enkai Necklace in 18k white gold and diamonds. Inspired by the traditional MASAI spear, a childhood memory of the Founder and Creative Director Sandrine Thibaud who was born and raised in Africa. Visit fullord.com IG: @fullord_geneva 38. GILDED GIRL ACCESSORIES designs light weight, sculptural jewellery by hand in 14K gold and sterling silver. Specialising in vegan leather and pearl designs, each piece is a limited-edition work of art – like the individuals who wear them. Visit gildedgirlaccessories.com IG: @gildedgirlaccessories 39. AMANDA J. BUSS JEWELLERY. Amanda is a highly trained jeweller who is based near London. She creates handmade pieces using unique platinum, gold, and silver. As a Tyler School of Art Alum and years of bench experience, she knows how to make your jewellery dreams come true. Visit ajbjewellery.com IG: @amandajbussjewellery 40. ORNAMENTAL is a new jewellery and accessories brand that uses creative and sustainable finishes in an innovative way. Within their collections you can find many alternative elements, as for example in the just launched Architectural Collection that features upcycling glass mosaic tiles, elevating the concept of construction finishes to your style with maximum elegance and authenticity. Visit ornamental.co and follow @ornamental.co on IG. The Drawing Board 1 2 1. AGNES SZIRAY proposes to see the wonder in everything and everyone, to feel and enjoy life. Imagery can open the heart through symbols. For those who paint abstractly, it is not important to depict realistically, but to share their feelings and impressions of the world with others. Visit szirayagnes.penta.team and follow @sziray.agnes on IG. 2. DANIEL CHECHLACZ is a contemporary and abstract artist, based in Toronto, who typically works on large canvases using acrylic paint and mixed media. He focuses on themes of movement, growth, and fluidity. Painting brings joy and inspiration into Daniel’s life and he loves to pass that feeling on to others. Visit modernartbydaniel.com IG: @modernartbydaniel 3. CHRISTINA KERSTEN creates collages in which the political and personal are interwoven. This artist creates pieces which are multi-layered, both in technique 3 4 5 and meaning. Combined they form worlds of imagery and great intensity. Visit christinakersten.de and follow @christinakersten on IG. 4. In this series titled ‘Dancing’, Artist FENG BIN paints dancing partners that appear in an abstract and blurred composition, symbolising the relationship and perception between oneself and others. The act of dancing alludes to desire and physical intimacy yet simultaneously suggests feelings of isolation and alienation. The expression and embellishment of the figures creates an atmosphere juxtaposing simplicity with complexity. For more information about Feng Bin and his work, visit allisonthompsonstudio.com IG: @atartinteriors 5. MARCUS ESCRIBANO – Inspired by Marcus’ ignorance, driven by his curiosity; the tools that discipline his creations. Marcus uses whatever medium he chooses to express his nature. He uses not one, but all of these languages to translate his feelings and questions. The artist explodes in creation and controls his own reality. Visit highbrowblog.com IG: @mesco_photos 6. SOPHIA OSHODIN is a self-taught figurative painter based in London. She is 67 known for visual storytelling that centres around the spirit of everyday using imaginary subjects. Her work captures both the daily exuberance and joy of black life in the diaspora. Visit sophiaoshodinart.com and @sophiaoshodinart on IG. 7. AMY TODMAN is an artist from Scotland currently living between Beirut and Yerevan. Full of common objects and geometries, her paintings are close communications with the viewer. Distinctive and sensitive, her odd compositions, combined with a playful use of colour and line, brings the strange or uncanny to the surface. Visit amytodman.com and @amytodman on IG. 8. ANDY ALAIN is an international contemporary artist from Canada. Inspired by nature and texture, her style is a merge between modern abstract art and street art. Through her work of contrasts, she makes a point of transmitting emotions of love and joy in people’s daily lives. Visit andyalain.com and follow @andyalain on IG. 89 10 9. PEDRO SOUSA LOURO explores the use of geometry and architectural forms within his mixed-media compositions. Each artwork is a result of Pedro’s visual perceptions, as he creates pieces that evoke a dialogue between colour and geometry. His work has been featured in global publications and coveted internationally. Visit pedrosousalouro.co.uk IG: @psl.artstudio 10. California based contemporary artist RAMONA STELZER is fascinated and inspired by nature, its process, lifecycle and transformation. She loves to paint on a grand scale, inviting the viewer to escape into the painting. This artist paints flowers in an increasingly abstract way, with the meaning of her art extending beyond its subject. Her art symbolises the connection between humans and nature, and their abilities to not only be delicate and beautiful, but also powerful, strong, and wild. Visit ramona-stelzer-art.com and follow @ramonastelzerart on IG.

11. YIRIANE KAHN is a Dominican artist raised in Lima, 11 VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE Perú. Her artwork is a refuge where the conscious and 12 13 subconscious collide to reveal different states of matter. 15 16 The canvas embodies introspection and uses colour as the 18 19 master tool. This artist focuses on a variety of themes: 21 22 24 25 landscape – atmosphere – environment – femininity – 27 transformation – nature focusing deeply in the elements: fire, air, water, earth, void, and wind. Visit yirianekahn.com and follow @yiriane_kahn_artist on IG. 12. LAURA FROUDE explores life on our beautiful planet with her contemporary landscapes alongside the wonder of the female form. Her narrative embraces global issues from climate change to conflict, which she expresses in vivid colour and brushstrokes. See more of her unique works at froudiefineart.com or follow her on IG @laura.froude 13. LAURA SANDERS is an American painter who unabashedly addresses the vulnerability of women and nature. In this series she places women in the woods, tattooed by light, engulfed by shifting trees. Visit contemporaryartmatters.com and follow @laurasandersstudio on IG. 14. DES BROPHY takes his inspiration largely from human observation, with his signature style portraying uplifting 14 figurative scenes. Des offers a range of prints, originals and cards through his website, as well as a commission service whereby he paints to order. For more information visit desbrophy.co.uk and follow @desbrophy on IG. 15. MATT KING is an American/British London-based artist. He is a recent MA Fine Art Painting graduate from UAL Camberwell College of Arts, and was selected for the prestigious London Grads Now. 21 show at the Saatchi Gallery. Matt considers himself an expressionist, blending figuration with abstraction, painting directly from the subconscious. Visit mattkingartwork.com IG: @mattking_artist 16. South African born artist LARA LENHOFF began her career in 2014 and by 2019, became a featured artist during Art Week Art Basel. This artist creates transitional and emotional pieces intended 17 to encourage a dialogue. Lara is heavily influenced by music and the energy it invokes and is an advocate for the healing powers of art, with her work helping her to cope with her own struggles. Visit laralenhoffgallery.com and follow @laralenhoff24 on IG. 17. DESSIE SPEARS, an intuitive abstract expressionist, uses various mediums to articulate her most authentic self. She pulls inspiration from nature, personal experience, and memory to create raw, emotional, and truly unique art. Visit dezidezign23.com and follow @dezidezign23 on IG. 18. Worcester based abstract artist MANDY SINGLETON works with colours and feelings to create bespoke and original art. Clients are invited to choose colours, sizes, and discuss the ‘feel’ of the painting they are looking for. Mandy also sells her art, homeware and 20 cards in her shop. Visit mandysingletonart.co.uk IG: @mandysingletonart 19. RYA SEIFERT is a graphic designer and abstract artist from Germany, TO APPEAR ON THESE PAGES, CONTACT [email protected] OR CALL 020 7152 3705 who is inspired by the correlation between destruction and beauty. Rya uses her design expertise to explore the notion of creating order from chaos. Visit ryaseifert.com and follow @rya.s.art on IG. 20. A meditative piece by EMMA HOLLINGWORTH bringing positivity and encouragement to focus your mind on continual progress, rather than delayed perfection. Use code VF2022 for 20% off and a free print of the featured artwork (expires 31/08/22). Visit ehartprints.com IG: @emmahollingworthart 21. GREGORY LOGAN DUNN is an abstract painter from Arlington, 23 Virginia. He uses intense, transparent layers of colour to create textural layered artworks. Pictured here is his 2021 work Necropolis. Follow @gregorylogandunnart on IG and visit his website gldunnart.com 22. SOPHIE ROZE paints intuitively, reacting to each piece as it evolves. Every mark is part of the journey, drawing you in to discover the piece unfold as you look deeper into every layer. Visit sophierozestudio.com and follow @sophie.roze.studio on IG. 23. BARBRO P. BISMO. Inspired by the contrasting light and colours in the raw nature of Northern Norway. She often paints intuitively by inner images, mood, and feelings. She explores the chaos of life expressed through intense and captivating play with colours. Featured is her piece titled “Embrace your Scars”. Visit barbrobismoart.no 26 IG: @barbrobismoart 24. DECHENG CUI (b.1990) is a conceptual artist. Behind each of his works is his deep thinking. He is never limited to the medium of artistic creation, and all his works are the embodiment of his soul. Visit his website cuidecheng.com to find out more. 25. Inspired by the majesty of the natural world, American oil painter REBECCA E. MILES references Romanticism and Impressionism in her enchanting landscape paintings. Elements of fantasy and storytelling permeate her work, inviting the viewer to step into another world. Visit vraix.art Follow @vraiix on IG. 26. Internationally recognised artist LINDA HARRIS REYNOLDS has been creating memorable portraits for families and individuals for the past thirty-two years. Linda’s vibrant painting style serves to enhance the personality of her subjects, and reflects a blending of Classical Realism and Impressionism. Visit: lindaharrisreynolds.com IG: @lindaharrisreynolds 27. LIBBY HOLLAND is a California based, Toronto born contemporary artist with a vibrant, bold style. Her larger-than-life paintings of flowers and native plants have drawn international attention since bursting on the scene in 2020, after a residency with the Santa Barbara botanic garden. Visit libbyhollandart.com IG: @libbyhollandart

VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE The Drawing Board 28 29 30 28. JENNIFER KEELER-MILNE is an Australian artist renown for her evocative and atmospheric images of nature. Her work connects us with the cycles of life and the need to seek solace with the natural world. She uses traditional oil painting techniques to create rich layers of colour and is represented in important collections around the world. Visit jenniferkeelermilne.com.au and follow @jenniferkeelermilne on IG. 29. SOPHIA ROSE is a Canadian-born artist, best known for her brilliant and vibrant paintings of classic cars that capture and honour their individual personalities. She is inspired by tangible beauty and drawn to classic design, whether in art, cars or fashion. Visit sophiaroseartist.com and follow @sophiaroseartist on IG. 30. RAY DAK LAM is a designer and illustrator from Edmonton, Alberta. His work is characterised by bright colours, playful geometric shapes, and bold shading techniques. He’s worked for big players within the tech, design and creative industries. Visit: raydaklam.com IG: @raydaklam 31. MARIA PENN is a Germany-based abstract artist. Her 31 32 33 work portraits exposed human forms that strikingly permeate the painting. She depicts modern humans in a permanent clash with societal rules while accepting behavioural reconciliation and living by social norms. Available for public and private commission. Seen here is “Waiting for Tomorrow” acrylic on Canvas. Visit mariapenn.wixsite.com/mirapenn and follow @maria_pen_penn on IG. 32. MEANDER & MOSEY is the playful moniker of American abstract artist Andrecia, who is based in Los Angeles, California. Her paintings depict bright, colourful shapes brought forth by allowing her intuition and the negative space between forms to inform what comes next. View all of her vibrant pieces on IG, @meandermosey For inquiries visit meandermosey.com 33. SIMONI is a Greek artist in the zeitgeist of the contemporary art 34 35 scene, exhibiting around the world. Her art is described as a parthenogenesis in human emotions. The main themes are eros, dreams, paradise and youth. Visit: simoni.studio IG: @simoni_studio 34. Abstract painter REBEKAH FREEMAN draws inspiration from the vast Australian landscape. Her works combine depth, movement and colour to convey the contrast between the stillness of country life and the vibrancy of Australia’s capital cities. Pictured is ‘Kimberley Sunset in June’. Follow her @rebekahfreemanart on IG. 35. CARINA JÄGER creates abstract artworks on canvas from acrylic paints and strong textured pastes. Let these abstract artworks remind you to have the courage and strength to live in freedom. For more information visit carinajaegeratelier.com or follow @carinajaegeratelier on IG. 36 37 38 36. AUTUMN HUES ART produces uncommonly original abstract paintings, that explore the utility of media and the ability to elicit climbing inquisition and appreciation of fine detail. Connect with these pieces at autumnhuesart.com or follow her IG @autumnhuesart 37. COLLEEN ROSE is an artist in Red Rock on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Canada. Her landscape paintings express the rugged beauty of nature as well as its ability to soothe and heal the soul. Visit colleenrose.ca and follow @colleenkr 39 on IG. 38. CARLA COHEN is a Minnesota based mixed media artist. She finds inspiration through her exploration of colour, texture, and pattern to create a visual story. Her work is influenced by her love of paper, where she uses transparent layers providing a sense of mystery of what’s beneath. Visit carlacohenstudio.com and follow @carlacohenstudio on IG. 39. Canadian artist KYLE SORENSEN is best known for his rich portrayal of landscapes through the lens of geometric abstraction. Resonating with the Cubists, as well as the language of hard edge painting, Sorensen’s fractured acrylic landscapes are a fresh approach to traditional landscape painting. Follow 40 41 42 @ks.fineart on IG and visit kylesorensen.net 40. Contemporary artist, EVELYN RAPIN, focuses on musical themes in her painting, drawing and collage works. She produces a very limited edition of high quality archival prints from her original pop art collages. For more information, visit her website evelynrapin.com and follow her IG @evelynrapinstudios 41. Brooklyn-based artist LILY SWAB talentedly creates artwork that is propelled by her emotions. Each piece reflects an inner dialogue which mirrors Lily’s thoughts during her creation. Her ‘Pointe’ piece is amongst many of her figurative pieces, with other collections implementing mixed media, water colours and digital aspects. Visit: lilyswabart.com IG: @lilyswabart 42. Madrid based artist MANUEL HERNÁNDEZ is completely self taught, dedicating himself 100% to painting during his retirement. In his pieces, this artist references the American expressionists and is also influenced by Modernism and contemporary painting. Visit berbelart.com and follow @berbelart on IG.

Sunkissed Skin VANITY FAIR ADVERTISING FEATURE 1. Introducing LANEWAY BEAUTY’s cult BB Crème, a 1 2 3 glow-inducing skin tint that is designed to leave your skin 6 appearing smooth with a radiant look. This five in one formula is a beauty breakthrough that aims to combine 8 cosmetic and skincare benefits for a healthy-looking 10 11 complexion. Visit lanewaybeauty.com.au IG: @lanewaybeauty_ 14 2. LITHE LASHES® is a vegan, cruelty free, and sustainable lash 5 17 brand that offers ultra-natural-looking falsies and DIY lash extensions for everyday wear. Inspired by natural beauty, Lithe’s award-winning collection is designed to fit in seamlessly with your daily makeup routine. Visit lithelashes.com IG: @lithelashes 3. This best-selling Replenishing Moisturiser is loved by MAZILLO’s 4 customers for its unique dreamy texture that leaves your skin feeling silky soft. This natural refreshing formula is designed to leave your skin feeling replenished and appearing radiant. It contains Orpheus Flower Stem Cell. Visit mazillo.com IG: @mazilloskincare 4. RESTORVA’s Luminous Botanical Moisturizer is derived from desert botanicals. The formula is as natural as it is luxurious. It is designed to leave your skin feeling hydrated, smooth the appearance of impurities, and give you a radiant-looking glow. Visit restorva.com IG: @restorva 5. Meet ‘JENTL an organic hand-whipped body butter that melts into the 7 skin. With an array of scent profiles to choose from, ‘JENTL’s small-batch 9 collection of whipped body butters leave skin feeling soft and nourished with 13 moisture. Due to the nature of the product, the shop will be closed in July and August 2022. Visit jentl.com IG: @jentl.coo 6. Fall in love with your hair over and over again with FAVEN ESSENTIALS’ vegan-friendly hair care products. Their sophisticated and sustainable products are specifically formulated to help promote strong and healthy- looking hair. They aim to nourish your hair with moisture leaving it appearing shiny. Visit favenessentials.com IG: @favenessentials 7. Leave your skin feeling moisturised with CLAY AND OLIVE SKINCARE’s Deep Hydration Cream. This lightweight moisturiser is infused with natural ingredients, including licorice root, grape leaf and shea butter. Perfect for revealing a healthy looking glow. Visit clayandoliveskincare.com IG: @clayandoliveskincare 8. ARIADNE ATHENS. Inspired by the Greek islands, Cycladic Art and Mediterranean beauty, this award-winning brand combines locally sourced ingredients, cosmeceutical actives and sustainable practices to provide luxuriously clean skincare. Their new Daily Vitamin C Youth Serum leaves the skin looking brighter, feeling naturally moisturised and also helps to minimise the appearance of wrinkles. Visit ariadne-athens.com IG: @ariadneathens 9. GLOBYJADE creates all-natural, organic Body Butters with a sweet aroma of Shea Butter, infused with special oils. It leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished with moisture with an amazing glow and is perfect for any skin type. 12 Featured is their Pumpkin Spice Body Butter. Visit TO APPEAR ON THESE PAGES, CONTACT [email protected] OR CALL 020 7152 3705 globyjadec.bigcartel.com IG: @globyjade 10. AZIO BEAUTY’s Intense Lifting Eye Serum helps to target the appearance of wrinkles and puffiness. It is formulated with a potent peptides complex and seven types of hyaluronic acid. It aims to leave the skin appearing brighter. Visit aziobeauty.com IG: @azio.beauty 11. DÁRSY creates products that help give you an Aussie glow. Featured is their Sweet Facial Oil, a fast-absorbing formula which allows for an effortless application process. Designed to be simple and feel effective, making it super-easy to use on its own (or alongside your existing products) every day. Visit darsy.com.au IG: @darsyskincare 12. A true masterpiece lies in the essence of MONA LISA. Based in Los Angeles, this timeless scent created from pure amber oils attuned with Herkimer Diamonds inspires the muse from within. Visit monalisapure.com IG: @monalisapureoil 13. DIPPED IN HUNNEE inspires you to create unique looks using 16 their vegan and cruelty-free eyeshadow palettes. Be bold or subtle, perfect for everyday use. Highly pigmented with a long-lasting and easy to blend formula. Their mission is to make beauty stand out on all skin tones. Visit dippedinhunnee.co.uk IG: @dippedinhunnee 14. Cruelty-free and luxurious CYLK BEAUTY has created the 15 perfect collection of strip lashes that give the effect of individual lashes. From natural to glamorous they have it all. Super comfortable and lightweight – expect a lot of compliments. Visit cylkbeauty.com IG: @cylkbeauty 15. ‘Oil I Dream Of’ by AMARE VITA SKINCARE is a concentrated night oil that contains coenzyme Q10. Ingredients include argan, jojoba, rice bran, rosehip, borage, and evening primrose oils. This product aims to help with the appearance of skin inflammation and leaves the skin feeling moisturised. Visit amarevitaskincare.com IG: @amarevitaskincare 16. Epilixir Ingrown Oil by GAIA BARE CARE. The Epilixir Ingrown Oil Wax and Shave Aftercare is infused with oils. It is designed to be the answer to every goddess’s ingrown hairs, razor burn and bumps. Its plant-based exfoliant aims to gently remove dead skin, and reduce the appearance of blemishes and the feeling of inflammation. It leaves the skin with a goddess glow. Visit gaiabarecare.com IG: @gaiabarecare 17. Natural Radiance Elixir Serum by GLOWSAINT is formulated to help leave the skin feeling vitalised and firmer. Ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Matrixyl, Vitamin C + B3, and Organic Rosehip. Helping to give your skin a healthier and natural-looking glow. Visit glowsaintlondon.com IG: @glowsaint

 Proust Questionnaire MICHELLE YEOH Twenty-five years after Tomorrow Never Dies catapulted her to global stardom, the beloved actor talks Buddhism, Tarzan, and Stephen King What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being with my family and kids, on an island, eating and drinking. What do you dislike most about your appearance? I’d want to be proportionately much taller—no need for killer high heels. Actually—have no bunions. What is your greatest regret? Not learning how to read or write in Chinese. What is your greatest extravagance? Jewelry and watches. Which living person do you most admire? My mother. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Impatience and anger. What is the trait you most deplore Have them not be so far away. If you were to die and come in others? Lying, unreliability. What is your favorite journey? Going home. Which living person do you most despise? back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? One who wages wars! Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Tarzan. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? A rock star and a brilliant musician. What do you regard Righteousness. What is your favorite occupation? What I’m as the lowest depth of misery? Dealing with the death of doing now—being a storyteller. On what occasion do you lie? someone you love. If you could choose what to come back Do white lies count? When I don’t want to hurt someone’s as, what would it be? As a Buddhist, I’d be enlightened feelings. What or who is the greatest love of your life? My dad and not come back. What do you most value in your friends? and Jean. When and where were you happiest? Our last Love and kindness. Who are your favorite writers? holiday together in Pangkor Laut. Which talent would you Shakespeare and Stephen King. What is it that you most most like to have? An incredible singing voice. If you could dislike? Ego and cruelty. How would you like to die? With a smile. What is your current state of mind? A little change one thing about your family, what would it be? frantic but remembering to breathe. What is your motto? Be kind to self, and all be kind. n 136 VA N I TY FA I R ILLUSTRATION BY R I S KO J U LY / AU G U ST 2 02 2





Please turn the page to view Supplement













chanel .com