'Teen Vogue' Names New Editor in Chief Following Alexi McCammond Backlash
info@hypebae.com (HYPEBAE) Tue, 11 May 2021 HYPEBAE
Teen Vogue has appointed a new editor in chief nearly two months after the publication's previous pick, Alexi McCammond, resigned before her start date. The Condé Nast title is trying again with Versha Sharma, managing editor at news website NowThis.
Sharma will begin working at Teen Vogue on May 24. During her seven years at NowThis, the editor helped lead the site's news, politics and cultural coverage. In 2018, she received an Edward R. Murrow award for her work on the publication's documentary about the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Sharma has also worked for MSNBC, Vocativ and Talking Points Memo.
"I've long admired the work that Teen Vogue has done, building and fostering a community of young people who want to change the world," Sharma said in a statement published to Condé Nast's website. "I believe that Teen Vogue can continue to be a force for good, with a focus on empathy, accountability, optimism and impact, and it is such an honor to join this team and lead the title into the future."
Sharma is the second EIC Teen Vogue has appointed this year. In early March, McCammond, a former reporter at Axios, was given the job. The decision was met with backlash from staff, advertisers and readers due to racist and homophobic tweets that the journalist published in 2011. The posts, which McCammond apologized for during her time at Axios, mocked Asian features and referred to gay people using derogatory slurs.
In an interview with The New York Times, Sharma declined to comment on the controversy surrounding McCammond. "I don’t really feel it’s my place to comment on that. All I can say is I share the values of the Teen Vogue staff and audience, and I'm very excited to work with them and work together moving forward," she said.
"Versha is a natural leader with a global perspective and deep understanding of local trends and issues -- from politics and activism to culture and fashion -- and their importance to our audience," said Anna Wintour, global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer of Condé Nast. "She is a masterful storyteller who can move from platform to platform with ease, and I am excited by her optimistic and expansive vision for Teen Vogue."
Head to Condé Nast's website to learn more about Versha Sharma.
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