Radhika Jones

News leaked this past weekend, so Condé Nast officially announced yesterday the appointment of Radhika Jones as the new editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine. She succeeds Graydon Carter, who will step down after 25 years.

So who is she? She’s been editorial director of books at the New York Times, since November 2016, overseeing daily and Sunday reviews. Before that, at The Paris Review and Time magazine, where she oversaw all arts and entertainment.

Jones was also the managing editor at Grand Street, an editor at Artforum and the arts editor of The Moscow Times, where she began her career. This news comes after much speculation of who would replace Carter with names like People‘s editor, Jess Cagle and my choice, Hollywood Reporter editor and owner Janice Min.

Bob Sauerberg, president and CEO of Condé Nast said in a statement,

“Radhika is an exceptionally talented editor who has the experience and insight to drive the cultural conversation—balancing distinctive journalism with culture and humor. Her experience covering news and entertainment has given her a thorough understanding of the importance of chronicling and celebrating the moments that matter. With her expansive worldview, I know she will guide Vanity Fair’s history of provocative and enduring storytelling well into its future.”

Jones says,

“There is nothing else out there quite like Vanity Fair. It doesn’t just reflect our culture—it drives our understanding of it. It can mix high and low, wit and gravitas, powerful narrative and irresistible photography. It has a legacy of influential reporting, unmatchable style and, above all, dedication to its readers. I am honored to succeed Graydon Carter as editor and excited to get to work.”

Jones has a B.A. from Harvard and a Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia, where she has also taught courses in writing and literature. (Smarty pants!) She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son.

ConDRAGulations, Radhika!

(Photos, Vanity Fair; via Fashion Week Daily)