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Kyle Stevens opens up about digital transformation of journalism (Includes interview)

“I realized early on in my life that doing anything involving numbers wasn’t for me,” he acknowledged, about his inspiration to pursue a career in journalism.

“One time I got a zero on a math test. I don’t think I showed my mom that exam. In all seriousness though, I was pretty shy as a kid and remember not liking my voice that much. It was deep and other kids made sure to point that out all of the time. If anything, it made me a good listener. That is a skill I took with me as I developed a passion for writing. At the end of the day, everyone has a story to tell. A person could learn a lot by about their own journey by understanding the struggles that other people go through.”

On his proudest professional moments, he revealed, “The proudest moment in my career was conducting a long-form interview with the legendary Stevie Nicks. Every day, I wake up feeling blessed because certain people behind the scenes took a chance on a young writer who wanted the opportunity to prove himself. Stevie was very gracious with her time when she didn’t have to be. The article that I wound up publishing made me a player in the industry. I thank Stevie for ultimately giving me freedom. A person truly couldn’t ask for anything more in life!”

Stevens listed global music star Kesha as his dream female interview in life. “I have been on the front-lines during her legal battle over the past few years. She is a true warrior and a survivor. She proves that even when you get knocked down, you can always rise up and come back better than ever,” he said.

“I grew up watching David Letterman when I was younger,” he shared. “I admired that Dave always did things his way and never backed down from getting to the bottom of a story. My vision for the future includes hosting my own late night program. I want to combine my humor and interest in people to create a show that gets everyone talking the next day. With enough hard work, I expect to eventually get there. Watch out world, you have been put on notice.”

For aspiring journalists, Stevens advice is as follows: “Buckle up because it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Learn that even if you are good at what you do, not everyone will want to see you succeed and look out for your best interest. As I gained forward momentum in my career, there were vicious and petty individuals who wanted to see me fizzle out. They were extremely bitter that I worked hard, around-the-clock, to create new and exciting opportunities.

“Knowing that, I pushed myself even harder so I could eventually call my own shots without having to answer to anybody but myself. It feels good, man. The best advice I can give is to always believe in yourself and go after what you want. Nobody is going to come knocking at your door. You’re not happy with where you’re at in the present moment? Change your situation and never look back. You will thank yourself later.”

Kyle Stevens

Kyle Stevens
Kevin Jackson Jr.

On the impact of technology on the contemporary media industry, Stevens said, “Who knew that social media would be the game changer? A person now has access to pretty much everybody with an Internet connection. There is no reason for a journalist not to pursue a story that interests them. If you can afford to pay your WiFi bill, you can afford to chase a story.”

Stevens continued, “I think that technology has opened the doors for new voices to be heard. The journalism industry doesn’t like to welcome people who didn’t go to New York University (NYU) or an expensive grad school that will keep a student in debt forever.

“Not everyone’s mommy or daddy has the means to send their son or daughter to an overpriced institution. You know what’s free? Creating a Twitter account. You can now interact with players in the industry and network your heart out without having to worry about how you are going to pay your rent the next day.”

“Technology keeps us all connected,” Stevens added. “You don’t have to like it but that’s how it is. Luckily, the important social networks are free to use. You better believe I am going to showcase my work on Facebook. I’m going to make my voice heard when it comes to politics on Twitter. I’ll give readers behind-the-scenes access on my Instagram. I like to make every second count and you should too. By being proactive, I get that much closer to my personal goals and dreams every day.”

For his followers, he concluded, “I love talking to people and making new friends. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram.”

To learn more about celebrity interviewer and media personality Kyle Stevens, check out his official homepage.

Markos Papadatos
Written By

Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News. Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 20,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.

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