Not your average celebrity profile
When the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes hit Hollywood this year, journalists who cover the industry entered an unprecedented era: Writers and actors who were demanding fairer contracts with studios stepped away from all promotional work, meaning they couldn't discuss projects with the media.
Press, a key part of Hollywood, ground to a halt. A typical interview with an actor about their new movie or a review of a television show wasn't possible anymore for Paste BN's entertainment journalists. But amid so much change in the industry, there were still so many stories to tell − so Senior Entertainment News & Celebrities Editor Anika Reed got creative. She pitched and developed a new series from our newsroom called The Essentials, which allows Hollywood changemakers and influencers to simply speak about what fuels their lives − without having the conversation pegged to a specific project.
👋 Nicole Fallert here, and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for Paste BN subscribers (that's you!). This week, we talk with Reed about how The Essentials responds to a moment and inspires readers.
But first, don't miss these stories made possible by your Paste BN subscription (and keep scrolling for more must-read subscriber content from our newsroom):
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How Paste BN's entertainment reporters are keeping up with the industry
Anika Reed loves to nap.
For someone who is constantly on the lookout for an opportunity to rest, she was happily surprised to learn she shared this quality with pop singer Usher.
When she interviewed him recently for the first edition of The Essentials, he told her he loves an afternoon slumber amid his hectic schedule running his Las Vegas residency "My Way," which resumes in February after he headlines the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show at Allegiant Stadium.
"I found that to be a relatable and funny moment," Reed said. Although the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are over, she said The Essentials is coming at the right time.
Not only are audiences craving more than a furnished celebrity profile, she said, it's vital that journalists stay ahead of industry shifts. The approach gears up Paste BN's journalists to cover Hollywood, no matter what may come (from pandemics to pay rise marches!).
"We realized the need to have something that can serve a lot of purposes," she said of the new content.
What are The Essentials? These exclusive weekly interviews will be published with unique video and social media content featuring the little things readers are curious about, from celebrities' favorite holiday gifts to what fuels their latest endeavors.
"We've the desire to understanding celebrity lives and how that gives us a better understanding of ourselves," Reed said. The Essentials "is a place to learn more about these stars. ... It's a place for connection."
Wanna keep up with the new series? You can follow The Essentials in the Paste BN app under "topics" (and get alerted whenever new content lands!). Readers can also follow Paste BN Life's Instagram and X accounts for all the shareable moments and breakdowns of every star's must-haves.
Check out more from The Essentials series from Paste BN:
- ''What Happens Later'' star Meg Ryan shares her favorite rom-coms.
- ''Wish'' star Ariana DeBose shares her must-watch Disney movies.
- Dove Cameron gets vulnerable on ''Alchemical.'' Here are her writing musts.
- ''Golden Bachelor'' Gerry needs cherry fudge ice cream.
Thank you
I'm so inspired by the inventive work of colleagues like Anika. Thank you for supporting our journalism with your subscription. These innovations wouldn't be possible without your help.
Best wishes,
Nicole Fallert