Variety Magazine Shines at National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards
Variety Magazine dominated the 18th annual National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards, taking home an impressive 20 first-place trophies. This was a significant increase from the 14 awards they won in the previous year’s competition. The publication was recognized across a wide range of categories for their work published during the 2024-25 period, showcasing their excellence in hard news, business reporting, commentary, criticism, photography, and cover art. Their 20 wins made them the top print-based publication in the 2025 contest, which was sponsored by the Los Angeles Press Club.
One of the standout achievements was the Print Journalist of the Year award, which was presented to chief music critic and senior writer Chris Willman. This marked Willman’s second time winning the prestigious award, having previously claimed it in 2024.
Several other talented individuals from Variety also received first-place prizes for their outstanding articles. Editor-at-large Kate Aurthur, international features editor Leo Barraclough, chief correspondent Daniel D’Addario, and many others were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the publication. The visual director Jennifer Dorn, creative director Haley Kluge, and deputy photo editor Jennifer Halper were also praised for their exceptional work on the magazine’s art and photography.
A cover package on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stood out among the entries, with Willman winning Best Music Feature for his cover story on Swift. The cover art for the magazine’s weekly print edition, featuring a specially crafted image related to the tour, also received accolades.
The awards ceremony, held at the Millennium Biltmore, was a grand affair that also honored industry legends like Paul Anka and Marlee Matlin. Variety Magazine’s outstanding performance at the National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards solidifies its position as a leader in the field of entertainment journalism.
