Press Release

Candid Convo debuts with exclusive rooftop event featuring top Gen Z stars

The new current affairs webzine aimed at young readers hosts a Los Angeles party starring Billie Eilish and Greta Thunberg to celebrate its first edition.

Groningen, March 2025 – A new voice in digital media is making its debut. Candid Convo, a cutting-edge current affairs webzine, is launching with an exclusive rooftop event in Los Angeles on March 20th from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM PST at Andaz West Hollywood, located at 8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood. The event will feature expert-led roundtable discussions, entertainment, and an inside look at this innovative publication designed to make news more accessible.

Bringing together leading voices in politics, arts, culture, and sports, the event will feature Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender state senator in the U.S., who advocates for LGBTQ+ rights; Billie Eilish, renowned for her unique sound and candid discussions on mental health, shaping both music and fashion for young people today; and Greta Thunberg, a committed climate and human rights activist rallying Gen Z to push for systemic change.

Showcasing the webzine’s commitment to fostering open and engaging discussions on globalcurrent affairs, guests will experience immersive conversations led by the Candid Convo editorial team while enjoying a cocktail bar, a DJ, and walking our signature hot-pink carpet.

Designed to make news feel as natural as a conversation with a friend, Candid Convo offers commentary on politics, art, sports, and more with its fictional host, Cece, guiding readers through the latest topics in a conversational and engaging tone.The emphasis is on accessibility with, among others, a 'fun' gossip segment called Cece Unfiltered.

“We aim to make important topics more accessible and less intimidating," said Diana Spulber, Candid Convo’s editor-in-chief. “There’s a real need for a fresh approach to news, especially for younger audiences who are tuning out of traditional news media.

The launch event will include five interactive spaces, each reflecting one of the sections of the webzine. Power Plays breaks down political coverage, Pop Pulse covers digital trends and social movements, Red Cards & Red Flags highlights sports conversations, Clickbait Central documents online culture, and Cece Unfiltered delivers the latest in entertainment gossip.

Anne-Rose Kelderman, head writer for Power Plays, emphasized the importance of the event: “This is our chance to show off our voice in journalism and to prove that letting the audience in makes the conversation more engaging. Instead of the usual stiff reporting, calling political news the "latest tea" and Zelensky’s White House visit a "shade war" makes it feel more relatable.This helps young people jump into the discussion and actually learn something along the way.”

Inspired by the 2004 film Mean Girls, the event will also feature a fun but thoughtful take on the Burn Book, where guests can write “hot takes” on news topics or internet culture, displayed in real-time on a big screen. Another screen with an AIM-style chat box will allow guests to submit their own “away messages” about pop culture, politics, or their night at the event, think: “BRB, debating if nepotism babies should pay taxes.”

Journalists are invited to cover the event and explore how Candid Convo is democratizing public discourse. Press access includes exclusive interviews with guest speakers and a behind-the-scenes look at the webzine’s approach to making news more engaging.