AJ Willingham - Senior Writer, Culture
AJ Willingham
Senior Writer, Culture
AJ Willingham is a Senior Writer for CNN Digital in Atlanta. She covers internet subcultures, religion, positive news and various obsessions.
Latest
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Apr 19, 2024
Lost wedding rings led to a sweet memory for this newlywed couple in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
What putting up a bird feeder can lead to
Apr 9, 2024
One simple little feeder can change your relationship with nature forever.
What April Fools’ Day looks like around the world
Apr 1, 2024
The Scottish used to call it Huntigowk Day. The French use it as an excuse to prank people with fish. Iranians have a version tied to ancient customs. It seems nearly every culture is united by a desire to pull some silly, goofy tricks.
The symbolism in Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ album has fans talking
Mar 29, 2024
Its primary cover art contains a whole rodeo’s worth of American symbolism. It’s head-to-toe red, white and blue.
The Christian reaction to Trump’s Bible endorsement goes deeper than you think
Mar 29, 2024
Former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of a patriotic Bible during Holy Week has been challenged by some Christians who say it preys on people’s faith for profit.
This viral Down Syndrome ad is smashing assumptions from every angle
Mar 22, 2024
Tevlin says it’s fun ‘proving people wrong’ about the condition.
The Princess of Wales controversy has only gotten worse
Mar 16, 2024
Social media is in knots over Kate’s absence from the public eye, and it’s only getting worse.
5 things to know for March 8: 2024 State of the Union, Uvalde report, Gaza, TikTok, Hong Kong
Mar 8, 2024
CNN’s 5 Things brings you the news you need to know every morning.
5 things to know for March 7: 2024 elections, Ukraine, Gaza, IVF, ‘Rust’ shooting
Mar 7, 2024
CNN’s 5 Things brings you the news you need to know every morning.
5 things to know for March 6: Primaries, Gaza, Ukraine, Tech companies, Harvard
Mar 6, 2024
CNN’s 5 Things brings you the news you need to know every morning.
5 things to know for March 5: Super Tuesday, Gaza, Ukraine, Haiti, Boeing
Mar 5, 2024
CNN’s 5 Things brings you the news you need to know every morning.
‘Love on the Spectrum’ reveals the challenges of autism representation
Mar 4, 2024
Reactions to the beloved Netflix series show how hard it is to capture the intricacies of the autism spectrum
5 things to know for March 4: Election 2024, Gaza, Immigration, Supreme Court, North Korea
Mar 4, 2024
CNN’s 5 Things brings you the news you need to know every morning.
Can Beyoncé take Nashville? Well, no one loves a diva like country music
Feb 20, 2024
Beyoncé’s gone country. In anticipation of her new album “Renaissance Part II,” the iconic entertainer has released two new country singles. “Texas Hold ‘Em” just debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Rachel Dolezal, the White woman infamous for claiming to be Black, fired over OnlyFans account
Feb 15, 2024
Rachel Dolezal, the White woman and former NAACP chapter president who courted major controversy nearly ten years ago for falsely claiming she was Black, has been fired from her position with an Arizona school district over her OnlyFans account.
About
AJ Willingam is from Silver Spring, Maryland and attended Syracuse University. During her time at CNN she has won a National News & Documentary Emmy, an NABJ Salute to Excellence Award and multiple Webbys. She is the previous head writer of CNN’s 5 Things newsletter and the creator and current head writer of CNN’s The Good Stuff.
