Daniel Anderson

My first interview of 2025 is the one I’ve dreamed of the most—Kim Jisoo. BLACKPINK is the group that made me fall so deeply for K-pop in the first place. Their music and endless hours of content have been a source of inspiration and comfort through both good and bad days—but most of all, Jisoo. I truly wouldn’t have the career I do or be who I am without them. The past few months have been challenging, both personally and mentally, but even now, BLACKPINK and Jisoo remain a bright spot with all the incredible things they’re doing. Jisoo’s new solo album, Amortage, produced by the immensely talented @thewavys is out now. I adore it. A huge thank you to @genius @warnerrecords and @blissoo_official for making this interview possible. And @sooyaaa__ —thank you for being exactly who I thought you were 🖤💕 To everyone who has endured my years of BLACKPINK spamming... it finally manifested. Maybe I can retire now. Read Here: /a/jisoo-amortage-interview-2025

My first print & cover feature is here! It was truly an honor to be asked by Seattle Magazine to interview the legendary Jean Smart for the publication’s Trailblazing Women’s Issue. Jean is a Seattle icon with five Primetime Emmys and a dream filmography that includes Designing Women, Frasier, Kim Possible, 24, Watchmen, Mare of Easttown, and of course, Hacks, among many others. Of the many interviews I’ve done, Jean stands out as being one of the warmest and most gracious from the first hello. It felt like speaking with an old friend. Jean is the mother to a Chinese adoptee and she is a UW alumna, two things we instantly bonded over. It’s also a career milestone that I could make her laugh. If you’re in the area, pick up a copy wherever magazines are sold. It would mean the world to me. And Hacks season 3 is out now on Max!

I don’t get nervous anymore when interviewing celebrities, but we all have one who manages to give us butterflies. For me that is Bae Suzy. When I first delved into K-dramas, I made it a mission to watch her entire filmography up to the present day. Without @skuukzky I wouldn’t have gained the knowledge and love I have for K-dramas. I recall when “Doona!” was initially announced. I promptly reached out to the Netflix team, urging them to keep me informed about any press opportunities. As the show’s release date drew near, I followed up with another email, saying I’d even chat at 4 a.m. if that is what it took. This was at 11:30 p.m. It’s the only time I’ve dressed up for a Zoom interview. I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to @henrykhwu and @jiselle03 of @timidmag for entrusting me to represent their outlet and an immense thank you to @shainaarenee at @netflix for helping bring one of my dreams to life.

“At this point in my life and career, it is too short to be in environments that are unhappy or in jobs that don’t fulfill you.” - Talent: Brenda Song @brendasong Words: Daniel Anderson @danzstan Photos: Michael Spencer @mikeyzpencer Fashion: SK Tang @sktang__ Makeup: Jenna Nicole @jennanicoleofficial Hair: Cherilyn Farris @cherilynrachelle Photo Assist: Mazhar Badani @mazharbadani Fashion Assist: Juliana Nava Prado @navaguava Video: Yong Kim @yongwkim EIC: Henry Wu @hello.henry Location: DFLA @dfla_studio Evan Duning @evanduning

Chef Duyen Ha (@chefduyenha ) left a career at Google to train in the rigorous kitchens of Paris before joining Top Chef Season 23. Her culinary style mirrors this diverse background, blending the logic of a strategist with the nostalgic flavors of her Vietnamese roots. This journey reflects her dedication to evolving the identity of modern Vietnamese cuisine. Read the full story of chef Duyen Ha, by Daniel Anderson (@danzstan ) at the link in our bio. ___ Đầu bếp Duyên Hà (@chefduyenha ) từng rời bỏ công việc tại Google để theo đuổi những căn bếp khắt khe nhất tại Paris, trước khi cô góp mặt trong Top Chef mùa 23. Phong cách ẩm thực của cô phản chiếu một hành trình đa dạng, kết hợp logic của một nhà chiến lược với những hương vị hoài niệm của nguồn cội Việt Nam. Hành trình của đầu bếp Duyên Hà là minh chứng cho nỗ lực không ngừng nghỉ để định nghĩa lại bản sắc ẩm thực Việt hiện đại. Toàn bộ câu chuyện về nữ đầu bếp tài năng Duyên Hà đã có mặt trên website Esquire Việt Nam. Link ở bio. Words by Daniel Anderson (@danzstan ) #esquirevn #topchef #chefduyenha

New feature out for HBO’s The Pitt! This first piece is an introduction and reflection to how the show comforted me while my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and dealing with heart issues (he’s fine now). Thank you to Timid for giving me the space to write about that for the first time. Solo interviews with the cast members dropping throughout the week. 7 interviews over 2 months for Timid’s largest acting ensemble shoot ever! And thanks for the memento Pitt cast! Will treasure this! Talent: Supriya Ganesh @supriyaganesh_ , Isa Briones @isacamillebriones , Ken Kirby @mrkenkirby , Shabana Azeez @shabanaazeez_ , Sepideh Moafi @sepidehmoafi , Amielynn Abellera @amielynn.abellera , Kristin Villanueva@gutsnglam Words: Daniel Anderson @danzstan Photos: Ken Medilo @kenmedilophoto Fashion: Benjamin Holtrop @benjaminholtrop Makeup: Hinako @nhinako_makeup , Katrina Klein @katrinakleinmakeup , Carola Gonzalez @carolagmakeup , Kym Nicole @kymmyizabeauty , Robert Bryan @robertti , Hannah Biddle @makeupartisthannah Hair: Dallin James @dallin.james , Sabrina Porsche @sabrina.porsche , Eduardo Mendez @eduardomendezhair , Sharif Poston @sharifposton , Ian James @ianjameshair , Traci Garrett @tracilinngarrett , Jorge Buccio @bucciojb Photo Assist: Joshua Medilo @joshua_w_mccoy Fashion Assist: Emily K.E. Johnson @emilykejohnson , Rasheed Kanbar @rasheedmkanbar Video Jonathan Ho @_jonathan_ho EIC: Henry Wu @hello.henry

1st time interviewing Michelin ⭐️ chefs! As a lifetime cooking competition show viewer, it was great to speak with Buddha Lo (Huso, NYC), Beverly Kim (Parachute HiFi, Chicago), and Emily Yuen (Yingtao, NYC) for America’s Culinary Cup hosted by Padma Lakshmi on CBS. The level of cooking on the show is legit. I grew up on Top Chef, so it’s especially cool to see Buddha, Beverly and Padma reunite, all inspiring Asian badasses. Full interview out now on JoySauce site

Hoppers is one of the best Pixar films I’ve seen in a while and absolutely worthy of being the 30th Pixar film. It has so much heart and carries some really timely messages for the world we’re living in right now, while still being a lot of fun. Piper Curda brings so much passion to the voice of Mabel, and the two of them feel similar in a lot of ways. Piper is the kind of person you can’t help but root for. Pond Rule No. 1: Don’t be a stranger. I’m really glad I got to know Piper even a little bit, and honestly wish I’d had time to ask more questions during our interview because she’s so awesome and deserving. Knowing her full-circle journey from Disney Channel to now, she deserves all the good things. Go Piper! Thank you to Team @timidmag @disney @pixar and @itstamm_ @binabeansx @soniajyang of @iwgroup for making it all possible. And thank you to @ryanalexh for contributing a quote about Piper. Hoppers is in theaters now. Talent: Piper Curda @pippiphooray1 Words: Daniel Anderson @danzstan Photos: Emilynn Rose @emilynnrose Fashion: Lisa Hoang @lisanhoang Makeup: Carleigh Herbert @carleighherbert Teaser: Nee Media @neemediacreative EIC: Henry Wu @hello.henry

A sneak peek of our digital cover with Piper Curda @pippiphooray1 🦫👑🪵 Hoppers premieres in theaters on March 6. - Talent: Piper Curda @pippiphooray1 Words: Daniel Anderson @danzstan Photos: Emilynn Rose @emilynnrose Makeup: Carleigh Herbert @carleighherbert Fashion: Lisa Hoang @lisanhoang Teaser: Nee Media @neemediacreative & Henry Wu @hello.henry EIC: Henry Wu @hello.henry

Been sitting on this one for a while. When Katie Leung was announced for Bridgerton, I immediately messaged Timid asking if we could do a feature with her. I hadn’t seen a single episode at that point. Katie’s name is one of those that just pulls you in. Seeing her as Cho Chang on the big screen was a seminal moment of representation for me, even before I had the language to understand why it mattered. Since then, she’s built a career defined by precision and specificity, from playing a Chinese adoptee in One Child on BBC to an undocumented Chinese immigrant in Run. The choices have always felt intentional. From Hogwarts to the ton, it’s nice to feel that sense of magic again. She is getting her flowers as Araminta. We love a layered baddie. Isabella Wei is just as marvelous and charming as Posy. A star on the rise! 2026, we’re bringing back yearning. It starts with Bridgerton. I wish someone told me sooner it’s like a K-drama but make it Regency. Thank you, as always, to team @timidmag Thank you to @zubzzz of @netflix Thank you @kanikatalwar for the crash course voice memos so I could step into this world properly. Grateful for all of it. Talents: Katie Leung @_katieleung_ & Isabella Wei @izabearlur Words: Daniel Anderson @danzstan EIC & Photos: Henry Wu @hello.henry Fashion: Charlie Schneider @charlieschneiderjacobson Makeup: Gabbie Lee @gabbiemakeup (Katie) Francesca Brazzo @francescabrazzo (Isabella) Hair: Ross Kwan @rosskwan (Katie) Patrick Wilson @patrickwilson (Isabella)

“It was important to humanize her, not just paint her as a villain we’ve seen time and time again. She has layers that helped me empathize with her decisions.” - Talents: Katie Leung @_katieleung_ & Isabella Wei @izabearlur Words: Daniel Anderson @danzstan EIC & Photos: Henry Wu @hello.henry Fashion: Charlie Schneider @charlieschneiderjacobson Makeup: Gabbie Lee @gabbiemakeup Hair: Ross Kwan @rosskwan

In no particular order, a roundup of my fave interviews & pieces from 2025. Although last side was my ultimate dream interview 🖤💕 This year wasn’t the easiest but thankful for all the people who made it lighter. Looking forward to more stories in 2026. I’m already cooking up some ones I’m really excited about!