Leah Asmelash - Writer, Culture
Leah Asmelash
Writer, Culture
Leah Asmelash is a culture writer for CNN. Her work explores culture from all angles, dissecting the larger trends that dictate how we live and why.
Latest
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Amy Sherald finds her peopleMay 24, 2026Eight years after the unveiling of her Michelle Obama portrait, Amy Sherald’s mid-career retrospective “American Sublime” doubles as a look at the crisis of artistic expression in the country. -
Edna Lewis built the future of American dining on Black country traditionMay 17, 2026“The Taste of Country Cooking,” now out in a 50th anniversary edition, focused heavily on seasonal cooking and featured an approach that would revolutionize food culture across the US. -
Suspect charged in hospital shooting that killed a Chicago officer and injured anotherApr 29, 2026A Chicago man faces 20 felony charges after authorities say he shot and killed a police officer and critically wounded another while being escorted through a local hospital over the weekend. -
Furious fans rally to Megan Thee Stallion after breakup with Klay ThompsonApr 28, 2026When Megan Thee Stallion aired her grievances against the sharpshooting NBA star, ending their fairy tale romance, she reactivated a fanbase sworn to defend her. -
Louisiana gunman killed 8 children, including 7 of his own, police say, in deadliest mass shooting since 2024Apr 20, 2026Eight children were killed in a domestic attack across three Shreveport, Louisiana, homes early Sunday in the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since January 2024. -
Teen basketball is for prosApr 9, 2026Meet King Bacot. He’s a hot prospect in the NCAA. He’s got a manager and 100,000 followers on Instagram. He’s 15, and making big career decisions at an age when most kids are thinking about prom or the SATs. -
Hollywood binges on the written wordMar 31, 2026Being an author is the hottest role in the TV and movie industry, as streamers frantically scout for books — and with niche titles like “Heated Rivalry” and “Slow Horses” taking on new life as streaming hits. -
Afroman emerges victorious in ‘Lemon Pound Cake’ defamation caseMar 19, 2026The deputies who raided the rapper’s house in 2022 lost a civil lawsuit. Their complaint? Being mocked in his viral music videos. -
Male shoe anxiety hits the Oval OfficeMar 13, 2026In photographs, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance can be seen wearing black dress shoes with visible gaps between the shoe’s collar and the wearer’s foot, leaving the ankle to dangle loose in the opening like the clapper in a bell. -
‘What Black hair product is safe?’ Lead and carcinogens are found in hair extensions used by Black womenFeb 28, 2026Almost every Black woman or girl has purchased hair extensions for box braids, boho braids, twists, faux locs and other styles. The latest research shows that many of those extensions are full of known hazardous chemicals, which could be harmful to Black hair stylists and their clients. -
Celebrity doctor Peter Attia’s friendly, raunchy Epstein emails rattle his fansFeb 4, 2026Attia’s work in longevity medicine was co-signed by Oprah and Gwyneth Paltrow. This week, the bestselling author of “Outlive” was found to have engaged in a friendly and salacious correspondence with convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. -
‘It’s not because we have bigger guns’: Minneapolis’ poet laureate tells why ICE found itself in troubleJan 31, 2026Minneapolis poet laureate Junauda Petrus recalls meeting Renee Good at an elementary school poetry workshop and shares how her hometown is building off a history of organizing. -
What it’s like each day in MinneapolisJan 28, 2026Residents of the Twin Cities region share their personal accounts of what it’s like to live in the midst of an ICE surge. -
This year, the Trump administration found its voice, and it’s all memes and ragebaitJan 20, 2026It’s been one year of the second Trump administration. In that time, the government has mastered memes. Happy anniversary! -
A midwife’s death days after childbirth complications reignites the conversation around Black maternal healthJan 10, 2026Janell Green Smith, a certified nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice in South Carolina, chose her career because of her concern about Black women’s health. Less than a week after giving birth, she was dead. -
From uplifting to degrading, these were the biggest pop culture moments of 2025Dec 30, 2025Remember when Katy Perry went to space? These were some of pop culture’s major moments of 2025 — and not all of them were great. -
Junglepussy is ready to conquer the worldDec 23, 2025It’s hard not to be inspired by Junglepussy — just ask “One Battle After Another” director Paul Thomas Anderson. In our “Annual Self-Assessment,” the rapper reflects on the year and looks ahead to 2026: “You see how I rock the boat?” -
Tyrese Haliburton promises to catch up on his texts in 2026Dec 20, 2025The Indiana Pacers’ star packed a career’s worth of heroics into one deep playoff run. He shares his thoughts on what comes next and how to dress for success in our “Annual Self-Assessment.” -
Jeff Hiller knows you thought his Emmys hair and glasses were a little muchDec 19, 2025The “Somebody Somewhere” actor reflects on his breakout year for our “Annual Self-Assessment” and shares the acronym he’ll be carrying into 2026. -
‘Wicked: For Good’ revives an uncomfortable debate about bodies and imagesDec 6, 2025“Wicked: For Good” has found itself at the center of a national conversation about weight loss, eating disorders and the endless pursuit of thinness.
About
Leah Asmelash is a culture writer for CNN. Her work explores culture from all angles, dissecting the larger trends that dictate how we live and why.
In her time at CNN, Asmelash has covered a range of topics, from Covid-19’s impact on higher education to diversity issues in the entertainment industry. She has done both long-form reporting and breaking news, as well as worked across teams to create visually interesting and interactive stories. She has also worked on CNN’s award-winning 5 Things newsletter. Through it all, Asmelash finds new ways to break down current events through a cultural lens.
Previously, Asmelash covered race, health policy and education at a variety of local news outlets in North Carolina.
Asmelash is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studied journalism and global studies. She is a Minneapolis, Minnesota native.
