Check Out Brande Victorian’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brande Victorian.

Hi Brande, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I always loved reading magazines as a teenager, and though I initially majored in communications at the University of Cincinnati, all it took was an Intro to PR class for me to switch my major to journalism with a concentration in magazine writing. Soon after graduation, I landed a job with Wolters Kluwer Health as an editorial assistant for medical trade publications, which took me to New York. As blogs started gaining traction, I began writing for some on the side to gain experience covering issues that mattered to me as a Black woman. Freelancing for MadameNoire turned into a full-time role where I was promoted to Deputy Editor within six months. After nine years with the brand, and later HelloBeautiful, I joined ESSENCE as the Senior Entertainment Editor in 2021, responsible for booking all of our cover and in-book shoots as well as overseeing content for the website and print magazine. With so many opportunities consistently bringing me to L.A., in 2022, I decided to move here and try it out. I spent 2023-2025 freelancing in various capacities, from covering red carpets to moderating panels and, of course, writing. For the past year, I have worked full-time for The Hollywood Reporter as the Deputy Awards Editor.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been far from a smooth journey, but when I look at what’s happening in media right now and how so many incredible journalists have been pushed out of this industry, I’m beyond grateful and feel lucky to have been a working journalist for 19 years. The struggles have varied from being up against limited multicultural advertising dollars while working in Black media to the rise of influencers and the threat of A.I. currently affecting everyone across the board, to more personal issues of sexism, ageism, and racism within the workplace. I always know when it’s time to move on from a place and, thankfully, I’ve dared to do that on my own terms many times throughout my career.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m most known for viral celebrity interviews. I think what’s most set me apart over the years is that I approach every interview with empathy, which often puts the subject at ease. Yes, I’m there to get answers to certain questions, but I’m never trying to capture a “gotcha” moment or make someone uncomfortable. I try to only ask things that I, or the audience I write for, truly care about. One of my favorite interviews was talking to Nia Long in the wake of her former partner’s cheating scandal. She told me how safe I made her feel to open up, and how much she appreciated the way I’d shaped her story in the final piece. It was also the first article I wrote for The Hollywood Reporter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brandevictorian.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/be_vic/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Be_Vic

Image Credits
Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE