From talking about body acceptance to getting informed on how to get involved in the 2020 election, if there’s one word to describe the Teen Vogue Summit, it would definitely have to be… inspiring. The third annual Teen Vogue Summit made its way to Goya Studios in Los Angeles, California on November 2 – November 3, 2019 for a weekend filled with impactful talks, workshops and performances curated by the editors of Teen Vogue. The spectacular summit featured a star-studded line-up with celebrities including Demi Lovato, Sophia Bush, Busy Philipps, Issa Rae, Joey King, Sofia Carson and more, who touched on important topics affecting our generation and motivated attendees to create a change in their community.
The three-day Teen Vogue Summit kicked off on Friday, November 1st with “Work Immersions.” Attendees were able to get an inside look at some of the biggest entertainment companies in Los Angeles. Icon Pass holders were given the option of three, different themes. The first theme focused on media and digital and gave attendees the chance to learn what it’s like to manage social media for brands and influencers, see a real photo-shoot take place and learn about the world of public relations with companies including Metro PR, SWIM Social, Instagram and Twitter. The next theme focused on the arts and style. Companies including UOMA Beauty, Nike, The J. Paul Getty Museum and PUMA helped attendees learn more about the billion-dollar beauty industry, see what a career in the arts is like and get some insight from brands that work heavily with sports and fashion. The third theme focused on entertainment. Attendees were able to see what a typical day is like for female executives and creatives at companies including HBO, Creative Artists Agency, WME, and The Wall Group with IMG Models and even get some invaluable advice from the admirable ladies themselves.
The following day, attendees eagerly entered in Goya Studios and were treated to several, fun activations and outstanding panels. The terrific event began with Teen Vogue editor-in-chief, Lindsay Peoples Wagner welcoming all attendees with actress Debby Ryan.
There were tons of fabulous, outdoor activities for attendees to enjoy at the Block Party. One of the first steps to become a #BossLady is to create and build your brand. Condé Nast was at the summit and gave attendees the chance to get their brand reviewed by a Condé HR professional and even get their flawless headshot taken for their LinkedIn profile. Entering the job market may seem overwhelming at first, but one of the hardest parts is… well, getting started! With a great headshot and a professional, social media profile, Condé Nast helped attendees get started with one of the first things needed to get your foot in the door. In addition, attendees were able to get all dolled up Euphoria style at HBO’s Glam Station. We all know how much of a sensation Euphoria‘s striking, bold and sparkly makeup looks are and those who attended the Teen Vogue Summit were able to get their own Euphoria-inspired makeup done. Instax, American Eagle, Proactiv, and the Teen Vogue merch shop also had activations at the event.
Singer and actress Demi Lovato had her first interview in more than a year at the summit. She talked about everything from body acceptance, which she emphasized is different from body positivity, as well as how she reacts to social media bullying, and who inspires her most right now.
Lovato also got fans extra excited as she discussed new music. The 27-year-old singer said, “Here’s the thing with new music. I know you guys have wanted it, but it’s important to remember that I’m so cautious this time around about jumping back into things. I really decided to take my time with things. I am dying to release music, but it’s coming in due time.”
The “Sorry Not Sorry” singer also talked about what she sees when she looks in the mirror. She spoke about her strength and said, “I see someone that has overcome a lot. Like, if I could change my middle name to ‘Resilience,’ – which I can, so I don’t know why I just said that – I would. I just have been through a lot and I genuinely see a fighter. Like, I don’t see a championship winner in there, but I see a fighter.”
Teen Vogue‘s Wagner also had a brilliant chat with multi-hyphenate, Issa Rae. The actress, writer and director talked about the representation of black women in Hollywood. Rae also talked about starting her own music label and said, “We were doing so much discovery and working with talent on the music side anyway, it just felt like, why not do it? The opportunities had presented themselves to me for a while, but always on the ‘Hey, you should be an artist. You should be a rapper.’ And I was like, ‘No, fall back, that’s not really what I want to do, but thank you.’ So the idea to be able to create a label and to be able to foster an artist in the same way that we are able to do with a lot of the writers we work with just felt really appealing to me. And then, I felt like we had a capable team behind it.”
Social media sensations Tess Holliday, Nikita Dragun, Nabela Noor, Rickey Thompson and Denzel Dion took part in a great panel titled, “Finding Your Voice on Social Platforms” moderated by The Real co-host, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton.
The multi-talented Busy Philipps chatted with Wagner during a keynote presentation all about the importance of staying true to yourself. Aside from being an actress, writer, producer and director, Philipps is also an exceptional mom and she discussed the advice she gives her daughter. Philipps said, “My daughter is in fifth grade and there’s, like, you know, it’s all happening. I was like ‘Girl, can I just tell you, I don’t know one adult worth knowing that didn’t go through some bulls**t when they were teenagers and when they were kids.’ That’s a thing that helps build character, it helps you figure out how to navigate relationships with people and it helps you, especially in those preteen years.”
Teen Vogue culture and entertainment director, Dani Kwateng-Clark had a conversation with fan-favorite actresses Sofia Carson, Liza Koshy, Danielle Macdonald, and Joey King.
King talked about getting nominated for an Emmy and said, “My instant reaction was, ‘Oh my God, I am never going to work again, no one is going to hire me.’ It’s because when you work for something so hard, I have been acting for 16 years, and then the unthinkable happens, like getting nominated for an Emmy, which I never thought would ever happen, you get so proud of yourself to the point of being panicked. Now, I am taking the time to be super choosy and super picky, which feels really good, but it’s also a really scary thing. Being an actor is the most exciting job in the world, but it’s really scary, because you want to make sure you represent yourself in a way you feel is true, and being as many different people as you can be. Because it’s easy to play the same roles and be the same things, but it’s hard to scare yourself and step outside your comfort zone and proving yourself is hard.”
The marvelous day also included remarkable performances by Justine Skye and Tierra Whack.
The excitement continued on day three with a very warm and special welcome from Teen Vogue‘s Lindsay Peoples Wagner and soccer sensation, Alex Morgan. Attendees started their day off with some fun and fitness with a group workout with Tone It Up.
HBO hosted an exceptional panel discussing mental health moderated by Teen Vogue entertainment news editor, Claire Dodson.
Lindsay Peoples Wagner also chatted with actress and activist, Sophia Bush. Bush talked about having the iconic, feminist trailblazer, Gloria Steinem as the first guest on her podcast.
Bush said, “When I started thinking about podcasts I love to listen to, I was like, there’s really not many women doing the conversation thing. I started calling up a bunch of incredible people who I know and I love asking if they would let me put my journalism hat on and ask them about their process, and passion, and politics – if they’re brave – about what they are working on. It has become this really beautiful space. ‘Work In Progress’ is the title of the podcast and it’s this wonderful space where I get to have conversations with people like Gloria Steinem. Crazy. Casual. I was like, ‘Gloria, will you be my first guest?’ and she was like, ‘Sure, do you want to come over and walk around my neib?’ And I was like, ‘Gloria Steinem says neib!’ It has been such a gift and I realize it’s another way for me to take care of myself and do something that is a pure passion project for me and inherently is a way to spend my privilege, because not every person is lucky enough to have lunch with her.”
The phenomenal event ended with a stellar performance by the extraordinary Zara Larsson.
Alexisjoyvipaccess had the honor of covering the 2019 Teen Vogue Summit and this sensational event brought together fun, motivation and ultimate girl power all under one roof. Take a look at more photos from the Teen Vogue Summit below!
Photo Credits: Getty Images for Teen Vogue
