Meet Shan Bailey | Media Personality, Writer, Producer & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shan Bailey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As a multi-hyphenate creative, telling creative stories that resonate with people through an emotional connection really fuels my fire. I’ve always had a passion for writing and storytelling. Regardless of the medium, I believe in the power of storytelling as a means to inspire, motivate, and connect. Don’t you feel a little less alone in the world when you can relate to someone else’s story?⁠ Isn’t it exciting to learn something new for the first time?⁠⁠ Anytime you connect with an audience, ⁠there’s power in that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a writer, media personality, and multi-platform content creator, primarily in the lifestyle and entertainment space, who is passionate about bringing interesting stories to life in a relatable voice that connects with diverse audiences.

I’m proud to be a native of the New Orleans area, where I report on lifestyle news, food, events, and entertainment at WVUE-TV, the FOX affiliate in the New Orleans market. In one of my greatest accomplishments at FOX 8, I pioneered the launch of Nola Weekend — a digital destination focusing on local lifestyle, entertainment, food, and event-driven content.

In my role, I tap into my love of creative storytelling by producing engaging and viral lifestyle content for television and digital audiences both on-camera and behind-the-scenes. In 2019, I was awarded “Best News Website” for my work with Nola Weekend at the Press Club of New Orleans 61st Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards Gala. I also serve as board secretary for the New Orleans Association of Black Journalists (NOABJ).

Working is media is not easy. You really have to develop a thick skin, work well under pressure, and find ways to stay motivated. Betting on yourself is essential, and I decided to take a chance on myself to further build a brand in the influencer and content creator space. As an influencer, I stay on the pulse of trending lifestyle, food, and event content. Now, I’m constantly getting asked to visit the hottest new restaurants, attend events to help create a buzz, and even create content featuring notable celebrities.

I believe I first noticed an interest in journalism when I decided to become a writer for student newspapers, both in high school and in college at LSU. Even though I majored in Mass Communication, I’ve taken a sort of non-traditional path in this industry. Much of my media career began behind the scenes even before venturing on-camera.

Before my news career, I was a performer for most of my life. From singing to dancing, and even theatre, I grew up doing a little bit of everything. One very cool moment was getting an opportunity to perform with Big Freedia at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2018.  I’ve even worked in music videos, commercials, film, and television.

Every life experience has provided me with a skill set that makes me extremely well-rounded and able to tackle any challenge.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
New Orleans is truly such a vibrant city, and there’s no place like it. The festival culture is big in New Orleans, and we have some notable festivals including French Quarter Fest, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest, Fried Chicken Fest, and Tales of the Cocktail. Honestly, there’s probably a festival here every week.

Attending a Saints game during football season is an incredible experience, and we have some of the best fans in the NFL. Also, basketball culture has really rebounded here, and Pelicans games are fun to attend.

I’m a big fan of hotel bars. Ace Hotel, Virgin Hotel, Chandelier Bar, Elysian Bar, The Chloe, Carousel Bar and Bar Marilou are some great ones to check out.

This is a foodie city, and you can’t really go wrong here for dining out. There are so many great restaurants that it’s hard to name them all. Saint John, Pêche, Sofia and Chemin à la Mer are some great ones to check out. I also try to support our great Black-owned businesses, such as Morrow’s and Justini’s. You must experience the quintessential New Orleans food staples like a Parkway Po-boy and Cafe du Monde beignets. I showcase lots of restaurants on my Instagram page @heyshanbailey.

We also have a great music scene on Frenchman Street and lots of shops and eateries on Magazine Street.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s very challenging to pursue a media career, and the journey can be especially hard for Black women. Sister Circle Media is an organization committed to advancing Black women in media and entertainment through mentorship and education. Founder Tanisha Rodriguez built an incredible program in the midst of the pandemic, and I was a mentee in the inaugural class. Portia Green was a great mentor for me in that program.

I also have an incredible network of friends and people I work with in different spaces who are achieving some major accomplishments. They also inspire me in so many different ways.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyshanbailey/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heyshanbailey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heyshanbailey

Image Credits
Ashley Lorraine/@sheshoots_ Humbleness Beginnings Photography/@hbeginningsllc Renia Jpix/@reniajpix