Slate Daily Feed ICYMI | Why Are So Many Celebrities Joining Substack?
Nov 26, 2025
Emily Kirkpatrick, the witty writer behind the Substack newsletter I Heart Mess, joins the conversation to unpack the surge of celebrities launching their own newsletters. They explore why figures like Dolly Parton and Charlie XCX turn to Substack for authentic expression and direct communication with fans. Kirkpatrick highlights the challenges celebrities face in maintaining a writer's life while examining the impact of their presence on indie creators. The duo ponders whether these celebrity ventures will last or fizzle out quickly.
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Pandemic Birth Of iHeartMess
- Emily Kirkpatrick started her Substack during the pandemic while freelancing and wrote to almost nobody for a year.
- She used it to gather celebrity fashion gossip she was already texting friends into one place.
Laid Off, Then Launched Embedded
- Kate Lindsay launched Embedded after being laid off and used Substack to continue her work as a standalone site.
- She credits consistency and community discovery for growing readership over time.
Substack As A Promo Channel
- Celebrities are joining Substack mainly as a distribution arm for existing projects like books and podcasts.
- Their posts often repurpose interviews, transcripts, or promo links rather than original essays.
