Michelle Varinata
As seen in:
Galore,
E! News,
VICE,
PAPER Magazine,
Her Campus,
Flaunt,
The 405,
Harper's Bazaar Singapore,
Her World,
The Los Angeles Loyolan,
ELLE Singapore
and
Covers:
Fashion, art, pop culture, music, movies, photography, health, beauty, celebrities
Doesn't Cover:
Education, politics, science, crime, sexual health, book reviews, religion, global news
SHE-O of soengsignature.com
and Jill of all trades.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Being a staff writer at The Loyolan.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Not much!
How is social media changing news?
It aggragates news, brings in less creativity and at the same time, it helps to generate new content.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Raoul Duke
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Revolutionize the way we see the world for the better, bring positive changes and encourage each other to support and love one another.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
SHEther, NoFrauds, Steve Harvey
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
E-mail's the best, baby!
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Wordpress, Mac, Microsoft Office, PC, Google Drive and Google Docs.
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram!
Who do you wish followed you?
Oprah, NYLON, Refinery 29, Hunter S. Thompson, MTV, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, PAPER, and everyone!
Why did you become a journalist?
So that I can use my voice to encourage people to accept differences whether it be in the music, arts or fashion industries.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No, I didn't. I wish I did!
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
There are way too many that I can count on!
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Think like an editor and anticipate the responses of what they will say. Have thick skin!
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any day, but the weekends.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Featuring Shelby Sells - it encouraged me to take a risk by featuring people who don't play by the rules.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Not anything that I can mention! If a pitch is out of my field, then I'll gotta pass.
What's your favorite drink?
Matcha latte with hemp milk. ;)
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On Instagram or DIY-ing my jeans. Another one would be going to museums and/or cooking up plans to be on reality TV.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
NYLON, Galore, Teen Vogue, Vogue, Purple, Refinery 29 and there's way too many undiscovered ones out there that I can count on!
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
We don't take artists seriously and perceive them as celebrities. We just want them to be human.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.