Elaine Marie Welteroth, born on December 10, 1986, is a trailblazing American journalist, author, and television host who has reshaped the landscape of media and fashion. She is best known for making history as the editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, where she transformed the publication from a style-centric magazine into a powerful platform for political and social commentary. Her tenure not only broke racial barriers at the prestigious Condé Nast publishing house but also galvanized a generation of young readers to engage with the world around them, solidifying her status as a cultural force.

Welteroth’s rise in the industry began long before her historic appointment. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, she launched her career in media at publications like Ebony and Glamour, quickly establishing herself as a sharp and insightful voice in fashion journalism. In 2012, she joined Teen Vogue as its beauty director, a role in which she became the first person of African-American heritage to serve in that position at the magazine. Her innovative approach and keen editorial eye did not go unnoticed, and in April 2016, at just 29 years old, she was promoted to editor-in-chief. This promotion made her only the second person of African-American heritage in Condé Nast’s 107-year history to hold such a title, and the second youngest editor in the company’s history, following Lindsay Peoples Wagner. Under Welteroth’s leadership, Teen Vogue underwent a dramatic and celebrated shift, placing issues like racial justice, gun control, and civic engagement at its forefront, particularly during the heated 2016 U.S. presidential election. She also spearheaded the magazine’s expansion into digital media, launching its first YouTube channel with content that tackled everything from campus style to cultural appropriation, before the publication released its final print edition in December 2017.

After a transformative run, Welteroth resigned from Teen Vogue in January 2018, relocating to California and signing with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA). She quickly transitioned into television, becoming a judge on Project Runway in October 2018 as the series returned to Bravo. That same year, she expanded her reach as a media personality, and in June 2019, she published her acclaimed memoir, More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say), through Viking. The book, which explores her experiences navigating predominantly white spaces and claiming her identity, became a New York Times bestseller and cemented her voice as an author. Beyond her writing and television roles, Welteroth has remained a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion, serving as a co-host on the talk show The Talk and continuing to influence the cultural conversation through her work as a producer and speaker. Her career stands as a testament to the power of representation and the impact of using one’s platform for meaningful change.