About Us
About Us
Pop culture stans, unite!
At Trendy Matters, pop culture isn’t just about trends—it's about sparking cultural conversations through a lens we all have in common.
Attention is a kind of currency, reflecting who we are through who and what we choose to watch, listen to, and talk about. And sometimes, when that reflection surprises us, we end up discovering a little more about ourselves—and each other.
Trendy Matters's mission is rooted in a passionate dedication to covering both the best and most bizarre aspects of internet culture and modern entertainment, as well as the creators behind it.
We focus on the conversations people are having, popular opinions, unpopular opinions, trends gaining momentum, stimulating social discourse, the stars making headlines, sometimes to take a little break from the demands of day-to-day life.
We're not exactly "news," here to just present what's happening. What's happening is our starting point. From there, we bring greater context, our predictions, intepretation on the latest movie, what the general consensus in the fandom is (we'll bring receipts) andpresent our thesis—and let you be the judge.
Is Keanu Reeves overrated or underrated? Did Marvel's latest film live up to the hype? Who's this social media influencer with 10 million views on a music video they posted yesterday? Those are the questions we're looking to answer. Sometimes we'll agree, and sometimes we won't. At the very least, there will be an enrichment of understanding behind what makes it entertainment and worthy—or unworthy—of our attention.
Whether it’s the latest album drop that's causing a commotion, or a Netflix sleeper climbing the ranks off the charts and into the cultural zeitgiest, we're here to celebrate, dissect, and share every moment with you.
And for the record, we don't discriminate on basis on how some rose to fame. To us, Addison Rae and Charli XCX are both A-listers, even if they found their fame in different ways. In the Age of Social Media and streaming, stars are born in many ways.
We're in the midst of a global, social and cultural Renaissance, with attention flowing freely from Moo Deng in Thailand (wasn't it awesome when the whole world turned into Moo Deng for a few days?) to fan theories about an upcoming video release, to our critique of an indie film that's gaining a cult following. And it's a fascinating, dynamic, diverse, eclectic, and textured time to be alive.
We're always on the lookout, if not on the forefront of, the attention economy and the undercurrents that influence our culture at large.
Our team of chronically writers, critics, and creators is dedicated to bringing you a unique blend of sharp insights, witty commentary, original analysis, snarky humor, and in-depth features on the latest trends in music, gaming, TV, movies, the fandoms, the industry, and the social media moments that are gobbling up our collective attention.
If you’re after thoughtful reviews, quick recaps, or just a laugh over the latest viral sensation, Trendy Matters is your go-to crew. Think of us as your friend at happy hour—ready to dish on everything pop culture.
Sometimes we'll laugh and throw peanut shells with you, sometimes we bring out our critical thinking caps and unpack the symbolism and metaphors that indie film that is too underrated. Then follow up with meme-packed “meeting notes” to keep the connection going.
But we're a friend who listens, too. In fact, we'd *love* to hear from you.
Check out our Editorial Guidelines for more information about pitching and contributing to Trendy Matters.
Stay updated by following Trendy Matters on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
CONTACT
Trendy Matters is a Chai Media Group publication operated by Chai Partners LLC.
For questions, corrections, or contributions, email hello@trendymatters.com.
Ownership and funding
Chai Partners LLC operates this publication under the Chai Media Group brand. Our advertising and affiliate disclosure explains our sources of revenue and how commercial relationships are identified.
Contributors, past and present
These profiles include current and former contributors identified in Trendy Matters’s public editorial records. Historical bylines credit the original authors and do not imply current employment.
Trendy Matters
Contributor
Trendy Matter dev team here to work out any bugs, issues, and make sure the site looks prim and ready for voracious consumption.
January Strausa
Contributor
January Strausa is a Trendy Matters contributing writer from Redondo Beach, California. She attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she acquired a bachelor's degree in English literature. January is Trendy Matters's resident reality TV aficionado and movie buff, always ready to share her take on the latest Dancing with the Stars or Bachelor episodes. Don't miss her predictions of what's to come on these shows! You can find her at the beach, in the garden, and on Instagram at @januarystrausa.
Tanja Fijalkowski
Contributor
Tanja Fijalkowski is Trendy Matters's Managing Editor. She is also a contributing writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a writing degree from University of California, San Diego. Over the course of her career, she has written and edited award-winning, Amazon-bestselling humor books on history and science. She is a contributing writer for AdWeek and was the managing editor of Fiscal Report. She is no longer with Fiscal Report. Tanja is a huge fan of horror films and pop music, which she writes about for Trendy Matters.
Alyssa Miller
Contributor
Alyssa Miller is an entertainment and film journalist with a passion for celebrity news, behind-the-scenes gossip, and breaking industry stories that shape the future of Hollywood. Her work has appeared in No Film School, ScreenCraft, Final Draft, and more.
Jadore Bailey
Contributor
J'adore Bailey is a contributing writer for Trendy Matters with a deep passion for all things entertainment and fantasy. Whether she's diving into the world of gaming, exploring the magic of animation, or binge-watching TV shows, her love for storytelling knows no bounds. When she's not spilling the tea on the latest viral trend, she's pursuing a degree in English, blending her creative spark with academic insight.
Denicki Holcomb
Contributor
Denicki Montez Mancil is a 28-year-old writer based in North Alabama. An avid reader with a passion for storytelling, Denicki enjoys crafting engaging narratives about the latest in internet culture. When not writing, she works with autistic teenagers and tends to her small hobby farm, finding inspiration in gardening and the outdoors. Her diverse interests fuel her work, blending a love for nature with an insightful approach to contemporary trends and culture.
Sonya Luedeman
Contributor
Sonya has been writing professionally for more than a decade and has degrees in New Media and Philosophy. Her work has appeared in a diverse array of sites. She enjoys writing about pop culture, TV and movies.
Rohan Montgomery
Contributor
Rohan M. is a journalist based in New York and London. His work has been published in the BBC, The Nation, Business Fights Poverty, In These Times, among other renowned publications and organizations.
Kate Row
Contributor
Kate Row is an editor for Trendy Matters and a writer from San Diego. She studied English and Psychology at Northern Arizona University. Since graduating, she has pursued a career in content creation and management. Kate is an expert in a variety of niches including business news, entertainment and lifestyle. When she isn’t busy keeping up with the ever-evolving world of digital content she spends her time at the beach, going to concerts, reading, and traveling as much as possible.
Samuel Adeyeme
Contributor
Samuel Adeyemi is a contributing writer for Trendy Matters. He has authored numerous articles and reviews on pop culture and entertainment, drawing from over seven years of experience in the field. He loves music and is always eager to listen to and share his thought on the latest album from a wide range of musicians. Outside of his professional writing, he enjoys reading nonfiction essays, continually expanding his knowledge base.
Olivia Fey
Contributor
Olivia Fey is a recent graduate of UNC Charlotte with a degree in English. When not writing, you can find Olivia at a concert of music's biggest and up-and-coming acts or drinking a cup of coffee or at the beach.
Stephen Thompson
Contributor
Stephen Thompson is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Sam Watanuki
Contributor
Sam Watanuki is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Alyssa Miller
Contributor
Alyssa Miller is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Julia Mehalko
Contributor
Julia Mehalko is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Lilli Keeve
Contributor
Lilli Keeve is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Kate Row
Contributor
Kate Row is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Solly Wise
Contributor
Solly Wise is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Emily Blackwood
Contributor
Emily Blackwood is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Travis Ward
Contributor
Travis Ward is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Shelly
Contributor
Shelly is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.
Olawale Ogunjimi
Contributor
Olawale Ogunjimi is the credited writer of archived articles republished on Trendy Matters.