Entertainment is the most powerful content in the world
(Photo: XiXi Yang photographed by Malik Daniels at her Los Angeles studio designed by LA Furniture Store.)
Diversity and representation go hand in hand, at least that’s how XiXi Yang, an entertainment journalist and the founder of next generation content powerhouse XYZ Media describes the relationship. As the first Asian-American female journalist to anchor Live From the Red Carpet solo for the Oscars and the Grammys, XiXi Yang broke barriers for minority women in media. As the first anchor to bring live coverage of some of the most prestigious events in Hollywood to millions of viewers around the world, XiXi Yang witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact of creating entertainment news for a global audience.
"Entertainment is the most powerful content in the world,” Yang says. “Having a global perspective in our coverage of entertainment news and pop culture stories is vital for us to understand our own identity, the identity of people we interact with, how our world works, and how we are all interconnected."
Before this media trailblazer could bridge the cultural gap in the world of entertainment news, she had to break barriers in her own profession. Yang's glamorous career was once just a pipe dream for an ambitious entrepreneur who came from humble beginnings.
“When I was little, I have often fantasized about being an entertainment journalist and a red carpet reporter. I was obsessed with all aspects of pop culture - movies, music, TV shows, and more! But I didn't see a face on TV that looked like mine. Instead of waiting for the right opportunity to come, I decided to create my own. At 19, I saved up just enough money for a handheld camcorder and a karaoke microphone. I went around town and interviewed everyone. I learned how to do everything myself: booking interviews, filming and editing videos, creating websites, pitching to studio executives, and securing sponsors.”
XiXi Yang’s hard work, persistence, and knack for storytelling paid off. In less than a decade, she gained national recognition in the U.S. as one of the top entertainment journalists and pop culture experts across CNN and HLN's flagship shows: Newsroom, Morning Express with Robin Meade, On the Story, etc. Since 2015, she has been anchoring live red carpets for the Associated Press and delivering live news coverage to all of AP’s syndication partners worldwide. Her celebrity interviews and exclusive stories have garnered international attention. With a reach of over 98 million households and 28 million monthly views digitally, XiXi Yang is one of the most influential millennial voices in media.