From debunking plot lines in journalism soaps like The Bold Type to reiterating the importance of community in our industry, Isabella Silvers shows persistence is key for a career in media.
An award-winning freelance journalist who writes about all things pop culture and representational politics in the digital age, she also runs the newsletter called Mixed Messages, which focuses on the experiences of mixed-race people in the United Kingdom.
A winner of multiple 30 Under 30 awards, we caught up with Isabella at the Student Publication Association‘s National Conference 2024 to talk about a day in the life of a freelance writer and getting her start.
Was there a moment when you decided: ‘I want to be a journalist’?
I wanted to be a journalist, I’d say, from a fairly young age, maybe like 14. I really wanted to go into fashion media and be a designer. Then I realised I could not design. So, I was like, words — let me go with that. I love music as well, so it was a toss-up between fashion or music journalism. I just knew that was what I wanted to do. I didn’t know anyone going into the industry.
A selection of stories from Isabella’s newsletter, Mixed Messages.
My friend from school’s mum worked for Katie Grand; she’s a fashion stylist and editor at LOVE Magazine. So I got an email that way and then I went to LOVE Magazine. And, then, it was through schemes like [former O2 project] Go Think Big or just emailing publications that I got work experience.
How did you get into editing?
When I was at university, I worked for Brighton Fashion Week — just anything I could to get me in that environment. Through Brighton Fashion Week, I ended up being a blogger for the website and then running the website, just through people leaving and me stepping up. I did everything I possibly could. In terms of editing, it was a case of this being a step up for me [and knowing] I’m ready to take this on.
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I don’t know if I was the best editor at that point, [compared to what] I am now. In my previous job [as branded content editor at Hearst], again, stepping up meant taking on those responsibilities.
I enjoyed my agenda; [for me], everything is about increased diversity, whether that’s race, sexuality, disability, class… I just want more people, more voices. So, the fact that I got to do that and I was in control of that, it’s amazing.
Would you change anything you change about your journalism career to date?
I think one thing that I’ve learned through being in a really difficult environment is the importance of finding community and having people around me who can tell me when I’m in the wrong (I’m very open to being wrong), but also let me know when I’m being gaslit and when the treatment of me is not fair.
So, not something I’d change, but I wish I’d known sooner the importance of having those people around you and finding your community — for me, that’s been women of colour. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without them.
"I'm really proud that I lived my values every single day, that even though it was tough, and even though people didn't like it, I fought for better for everyone."
Isabella Silvers, freelance journalist, editor, and writer of the Substack newsletter, 'Mixed Messages'
Are there any moments in your career that you’re especially proud of, and why?
I am very bad at being proud of myself. I’m such a huge advocate for advocating for yourself and for people bringing themselves up, but I’m also very bad at being proud of it. But I’ve won awards, which I should be proud of. I was PPA 30 Under 30, Media Week 30 Under 30, and WeAreTheCity 30 Under 30. I was shortlisted for BAME Workplace Hero at the Investing in Ethnicity Awards, and Hero of the Year at the European Diversity Awards, which I don’t give myself enough credit for.
But, having just left a job, I’ve been reflecting on how that feels going into this stage of being freelance. I’m really proud that I lived my values every single day, that even though it was tough, and even though people didn’t like it, I fought for better for everyone. It was never just for me. People would go: “Oh, this doesn’t concern you. Why are you bothering?” Because it concerns everyone.
I’m very proud of the way that I’ve conducted myself in difficult situations. Yeah, I’ve interviewed some great people, which is always nice, but I think the proudest thing is my values, the legacy that I’ve left, and the reputation I’ve developed.
Tessa Ndjonkou
Tessa Ndjonkou is a Dublin-based journalist, currently working with the Irish Independent. She holds an MA in Gender, Sexuality, and Culture graduate from University College Dublin. She was Editor-in-Chief of The University Observer, University College Dublin’s newspaper of record, for which she was named Editor of the Year at the 2024 Student Media Awards.
She was also nominated for Best Culture Writer at the 2024 Student Publication Association’s Conference and the magazine she co-edited, OTwo, was nominated for Best Publication and Best Specialist Publication.
