About this episodeBritney Romano, a childhood friend of Lindsay Clancy, discusses the intense public backlash and death threats …AI summary
Britney Romano, a childhood friend of Lindsay Clancy, discusses the intense public backlash and death threats she received after a video of her smiling in the courtroom went viral. She explains her personal motivation to write a nuanced piece on postpartum psychosis, rooted in her own family's struggle with mental illness, and details her professional interactions with defense attorney Kevin Rudolphin and Vanity Fair.
Key takeaways 4
Romano’s laughter was a coping mechanism triggered by an earlier incident where she fell out of her slip-on shoes, an inside joke with the camera operator that was misinterpreted by the public as disrespect.
The trial has become a proxy war for understanding postpartum psychosis, highlighting systemic failures where Lindsay Clancy sought help repeatedly but was not adequately supported, contrasting with Romano’s mother who refused available treatment.
Vanity Fair fired Romano and revoked her credentials without a contract or payment, using 'editorial standards' as a shield after the viral controversy, despite initially greenlighting the story.
Romano observed specific jury dynamics, noting that defense attorney Kevin Rudolphin effectively engaged the jury, causing them to laugh and react emotionally, which she believes helps humanize the defendant.
Notable quotes 4AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“A smile is not a crime. Telling a woman to slit her wrists is crazy and a woman is dramatic. Smile and she doesn't care. Stay composed and something must be wrong with her. We decide the meaning first and spend the rest of the time making her prove it.”
▶ 6:25Romano's Instagram post defending herself against the online vitriol and cancellation attempts.
“The worst hour of your life could define could change your life, but it shouldn't define your life.”
▶ 20:20A key line from Romano's letter to Kevin Rudolphin explaining her desire to tell Lindsay's story.
“I'm like, if taking it out on me makes yourself feel better, I could take it. But it's also not okay to be telling me to slit my wrist, sending knives, like that's not okay.”
▶ 12:51Romano discussing the escalation from online hate to physical threats sent to her apartment.
“Lindsay gave me girlhood. Like I learned my job in a basement playing work with her. She told me, 'I can't draw to save my life, but I know how to put pen to paper and make make wax poetry.'”
▶ 16:06Romano describing her deep childhood bond with Lindsay and how Lindsay influenced her career in writing.
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