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Bryan West (journalist)

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Bryan West
Born1987 or 1988 (age 36–37)
Alma materMedill School of Journalism
OccupationJournalist
EmployerGannett
Websitebryanwesttv.com

Bryan West (born 1987 or 1988[1]) is an American journalist who works as a dedicated Taylor Swift reporter for the newspaper company Gannett, mainly working for The Tennessean and USA Today.

Early life

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West is from Arizona.[1] In 2008, he transferred from Gonzaga University to the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.[2]

Career

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While studying at the Medill School of Journalism, West reported for the Northwestern News Network and interned at The Today Show and NBC News.[3] He went on to work as a broadcast news reporter and producer for eight years at KPNX in Phoenix, Arizona.[4] In 2014, he was awarded the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for investigative journalism for an investigation into firefighters who had falsely testified in arson cases.[5][6] He also won two Emmys during this time.[7][8]

Taylor Swift reporter for Gannett

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West was announced as Gannett's first ever dedicated Taylor Swift reporter on November 6, 2023, with Variety breaking the news. The two-month search for the role made headlines when it began publicly on September 12,[9][10] followed by a similar request for a Beyoncé reporter.[6] Applicants had included an established White House reporter as well as several fans of Swift.[9][10] West had stated 13 reasons why he should be hired in his video application,[10] including his journalism experience, the fact that he had already met Swift through his work on the opening night of the 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour, and that he was able to report without bias, listing "It's Nice to Have a Friend", "Stay Stay Stay," and "False God" as songs he disliked.[4][11] He moved to Nashville for the job.[11]

West received criticism from fans of Swift and newspaper watchdogs; he had described himself in his Variety interview as "a fan of Taylor," leading journalists to question whether he would be unbiased in his reporting, while fans debated whether West was a big enough fan himself. Others suggested that a woman would have been better suited to the role. Lark-Marie Antón, the chief communications officer of Gannett, responded to the criticism in an email by stating that "Haters gonna hate," and that West's experience "made him the best candidate for this role."[4]

Personal life

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West has been sober since 2018. He has discussed his struggles with alcoholism and depression,[12][6] stating that he "uncovered a deeper affinity for Swift's music during his recovery".[12] He is a licensed drone pilot.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b Willman, Chris (November 6, 2023). "Gannett's Taylor Swift Reporter, Revealed: Meet Bryan West, the First Full-Time Swiftie Journalist (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  2. ^ Freedman, Paulina. "Bryan West Is in His 'Dream Job' Era". Northwestern Magazine. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Wendler, Jacob (November 7, 2023). "Medill alum Bryan West hired as Gannett's Taylor Swift reporter". The Daily Northwestern. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Kircher, Madison Malone (November 8, 2023). "A Dedicated Taylor Swift Reporter Faces Swift Criticism". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  5. ^ "12 News Investigative Reporter Wendy Halloran wins Alfred I. duPont Award". 12 News. December 18, 2014. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Valdez, Jonah (November 7, 2023). "That Taylor Swift reporter job has been filled by a self-proclaimed Swiftie, Bryan West". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Rella, Emily (November 8, 2023). "Gannett Hires First-Ever 'Taylor Swift Reporter': Bryan West". Entrepreneur. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Tan, Kwan Wei Kevin. "The guy who got the 'Taylor Swift reporter' job says it's no different than being a sports journalist". Business Insider. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Vassell, Nicole (September 13, 2023). "Taylor Swift specialist reporter is now a real job title". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Parkel, Inga (November 6, 2023). "How a superfan landed a job as America's first full-time Taylor Swift reporter". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (November 7, 2023). "New Full-Time Gannett Taylor Swift Reporter: 'No Different Than Being a Sports Journalist Who's a Fan of the Home Team'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Rosenbloom, Alli (November 6, 2023). "Taylor Swift reporter hired at Gannett after viral job listing". CNN. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
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