Meet Former Fox News Anchor Shep Smith's Boyfriend, Gio Graziano

They've been together for seven years.

Who Is Former Fox News Anchor Shep Smith's Boyfriend? New Details On Gio Graziano Instagram
Advertisement

Shep Smith shocked the country when he announced on his popular Fox News show that he was stepping down. Reports say that Smith had grown tired of the politics at the network and after a war of words with Tucker Carlson, he just didn't want to do it anymore. Smith was often viewed as the sole voice of reason at the network full of right-wing, pro-Trump pundits. Because of a non-compete clause, it will be some time before Smith returns to the airwaves on another network. In the meantime, he'll hopefully enjoy some downtime with his longtime partner, boyfriend Gio Graziano. Smith referred to his boyfriend in his heartfelt farewell speech on Fox News. The two have been a couple since 2012 and in a rare glimpse into his personal life, Smith told Time in 2018: "I have a longtime boyfriend and we’re as happy as we can be. We live a very normal life and go to dinner and go to games and see his family and see my family."

Advertisement

So ... who is Shep Smith's boyfriend? Here's what we know about Gio Graziano:

1. A much younger man

Shep Smith, 55, is dating Gio Graziano, 32. Graziano's LinkedIn profile reveals he also worked at Fox News. He started as an intern at Fox5 in Washington, D.C. in 2008 after graduating from Penn State University. He moved on to Fox News as a production assistant in 2009, eventually becoming Smith's production assistant from 2011 to 2012. In October 2012, Graziano  moved on to be an  Associate Producer at Fox Business Network. He no longer works there and hasn't for quite some time, according to Julianna Mauriello, a representative from Fox Business Network.

Advertisement

RELATED: All The Dirty Deets On The Shep Smith/Tucker Carlson Feud At Fox News — And Why Shep Left

2. Conflict of interest

The timing of Graziano's move from Shep Smith's show to Fox Business Network is interesting. Gawker reported back in 2013 that Graziano was moved to his new position after he and Smith became romantically involved. As Graziano was a subordinate of Smith's, dating him would be a conflict of interest. That was avoided by moving Graziano into a new position. 

3. Their old favorite haunt

Back in 2013, multiple outlets including Gawker and Slate reported on Smith and Graziano's frequent visits to a Manhattan bar called Bathtub Gin. In fact, during in one of those visits, Smith had an epic outburst which led to Gawker outing Smith as gay. Apparently, on the night in question, Smith screamed at a waitress to "get my f*cking drink!" Gawker covered it by writing in part: "Smith had arrived earlier that night with a straight couple and his own regular date, a muscular 6-foot-2 30-something white male, whom Bathtub Gin employees refer to as “'his boyfriend.'"

Advertisement

RELATED: Kelly Dodd Bounces Back From Brian Regan Breakup With Fox News Reporter Rick Leventhal

4. When did Smith come out?

Despite Gawker's attempts to out Smith, it wasn't until a 2017 speech at the University of Mississippi, his alma mater, that Smith addressed his sexuality publicly. In April 2017, Smith said regarding his sexuality: “I don’t think about it. It’s not a thing. I go to work. I manage a lot of people. I cover the news. I deal with holy hell around me. I go home to the man I’m in love with.”

 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by shawn27927 (@shawn27927) on Oct 12, 2019 at 5:43am PDT

5. Roger Ailes homophobia

There have long been rumors that Roger Ailes was a homophobe but Smith has said he never felt that from the former Fox News chief. In fact, in his on-air eulogy for Ailes in 2017, he said: "Being in the public eye is rewarding, but comes with many challenges. Roger knew that. He would try to prepare me for that and lead me through it. When a blackmailer entered my life and the lives of my family, he held my hand and saw me to the other side. When details of my personal life became public, he supported me." 

Advertisement

RELATED: Meet Adam Wise, Who Just Married Fox News Contributor Guy Benson

6. His farewell speech

In his final episode of Shepard Smith Reporting, Shep Smith gave a heartfelt monologue about how much his show and the Fox News family meant to him. He joined the network in 1996 just before it launched. In that speech he mentioned Gio and Lucia (his dog), saying he will be “able to see more of Gio and Lucia, and our friends and family, and we will see what comes along.”

Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based writer and editor covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.

Advertisement