Ashlee Mitchell is an actor, writer, and content creator. In terms of music journalism, Ashlee focuses (but not exclusively) on k-pop. “After the death of George Floyd, I noticed some k-pop journalists were offering to help young Black writers who wanted to write for bigger publications,” says Ashlee. “I reached out to a few and was encouraged to pitch my ideas. I ended up securing my first pitch at Teen Vogue, which was an interview with a K-rock group called 2z, and just spent the rest of that summer pitching and building a portfolio.” Fast forward two years, and Ashlee now has bylines at GRAMMY.com, Dazed, and many other outlets.
How did you get to where you are today, professionally?
It really started with my passion for k-pop. I studied abroad in Korea in fall of 2019, and when I got back, I wanted to find a way to work with idols. I initially volunteered at k-pop concerts for VAV and 1Team, but when Covid hit, all the shows got canceled and I needed something new to do. I decided to tap into writing because it’s something I’ve been good at my whole life. I applied to a volunteer based K-pop magazine called The Kraze, where I ended up with my own column called “Ladies Corner.” It was biweekly and I would also do some new release coverage. I had been writing for them for about a month, and then, when BLM started making noise on social media after the death of George Floyd, I noticed some k-pop journalists were offering to help young Black writers who wanted to write for bigger publications. I reached out to a few and was encouraged to pitch my ideas. I ended up securing my first pitch at Teen Vogue, which was an interview with a K-rock group called 2z, and just spent the rest of that summer pitching and building a portfolio.
I think it really took a turn when I interviewed Taemin of Shinee. That was my first official K-pop idol interview, and for the next few months, I focused on doing profiles/artist interviews. In less than a year, I got offered an interview with BTS for the Grammys. I’ve also interviewed American artists like Saweetie, Umi, and Mariah the Scientist.