The Lindsay Clancy trial has become one of the most closely watched criminal cases, attracting significant media coverage as Clancy faces charges in the 2023 deaths of her three young children. Journalist Brittany Romano was among those covering the proceedings, but she has now drawn attention for her behavior, captured by a courtroom camera, which has sparked widespread criticism.
Lindsay Clancy is facing three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of her three children in 2023. The case has attracted widespread media attention due to the questions surrounding her mental state at that time.
Clancy has pleaded not guilty, with her defense team arguing that she was experiencing severe postpartum psychosis and was not capable of understanding or controlling her actions when she killed her children.
Amid the ongoing trial, a journalist has now found herself at the center of attention after her courtroom behavior went viral.
On August 24, a clip from a livestream of the trial spread online after a woman in a green dress was seen smiling at the camera and giving a small wink.
The Journalist Grew Up With Lindsay Clancy
Lindsay Clancy childhood friend pic.twitter.com/9j3AVMsHkp
— Zoë Lilou (@shortnsweetsour) August 25, 2026
The woman, referred to as “Green Dress Lady” online, was later identified as Brittany Romano, a freelance journalist who has contributed to publications such as Glamour, Teen Vogue, Elle, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, among others.
Romano has been covering the Clancy trial, and, according to reports, she was tasked with writing an essay for Vanity Fair because she knew the defendant in her younger years. They both grew up in Wallingford, Connecticut, and their homes were right down the street from each other.
In August, Romano posted a carousel of photos on Instagram, including a childhood photo with Clancy. The photo has since been removed.
Romano’s courtroom behavior sparked backlash, with many condemning her for laughing and smiling in a courtroom where the case involved the murders of three innocent children. “Her behavior was childish and unprofessional… shows immaturity and lack of awareness,” one person commented.
Vanity Fair Cuts Ties With Brittany Romano
Romano was asked about the viral moment, and she explained that her father told her she “looked bad” on Court TV, which led her to be more conscious of her appearance whenever the camera panned in her direction.
Following the viral clip, Vanity Fair released a statement saying they were no longer interested in Romano’s essay, adding that they were professionally cutting ties with the journalist.
“After clear conflicts with our editorial standards and processes, we informed Romano that we were not moving forward with her essay and informed the court that she is no longer credentialed by Vanity Fair,” a spokesperson for the publication said, as reported by the Boston Globe.
The Journalist Says ‘A Smile Is Not A Crime’
On August 25, Romano clapped back at her online haters, posting a lengthy statement on Instagram. She prefaced her message by saying, “A smile is not a crime. Telling a woman to slit her wrists is.” The journalist said she has been getting many messages telling her to slit her wrists and kill herself since the clip went viral.
Romano further explained that she tends to smile when feeling anxious or uncomfortable, describing it as a coping mechanism she relies on in certain situations. She added that other bloggers and reporters were also laughing, but for some reason, she was the only one being criticized.
“I have been told, repeatedly, to take accountability and apologize, when I have nothing to apologize for,” she stated.
Lindsay Clancy’s Trial Reaches Its Final Stages
Clancy’s defense recently requested the judge to grant a mistrial after the prosecution brought up their client’s faith and Catholic upbringing. The judge denied the request, but instructed jury members to disregard comments about the defendant’s religion, per NBC News.
Following weeks of back and forth between the prosecution and defense, Clancy’s trial is coming to a close. Closing arguments are scheduled to take place on August 27, with jury deliberations beginning the following day.
