It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye.
After graduating early with a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University, I started freelancing for LADYGUNN Magazine, interviewing artists like Tems and Birdy, before taking on an assistant position with Miami Herald journalist, Julie Brown.
Later, I worked with The Foundry to offer a Gen-Z perspective on potential branded partnerships, eventually taking over social media for DOTDASH Meredith’s Millie magazine.
Shortly after landing a dream role working as the editorial assistant for the editor-in-chief at PEOPLE magazine, I lost vision in my right eye. I moved back home to Arizona, and found stability — first working as an assistant Health & Fitness editor for POPSUGAR, then a staff writer + social producer.
I’ve since had my right eye removed in its entirety, but I’ve also had the opportunity to create my own content (let’s be besties on TikTok @ChanPlante). It’s been a true privilege to share my journey, along with some cool eye patches, “fun” prosthetic eyes, and bad eyeball jokes.
Things look a little different these days (literally), but I’m learning to embrace the unknown, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next!