One of the most popular publications in Chicago, if not the most popular, has some pretty smart brains behind it (beauty too…see below). Everyone I’ve ever met from Splash (part of the Chicago Sun-Times if you’re not familiar) is really damn good at their job, regardless of their title. But the one person who really sticks out to me is the latest CCF Loves.
Aw a tattoo just for me? You shouldn’t have…
Zak Stemer is just now in his mid-twenties and already interviewing major celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Busy Phillips and Sophia Bush to name a few. With many in my generation who almost expect jobs and opportunities to be handed to them, I have an extra appreciation for those 20-somethings who really hustle and just go for it. Zak is a perfect example of that. Plus, he’s always smiling and upbeat (but not in an annoying way…like in a way that’s totally contagious) so you have to love him for it.
Oh you want to have a chat with Zak? Okay let’s do it.
What do you love most about Chicago?
Everyone always says they love Chicago’s small-town feel. While that’s true, I’d like add a qualifier: While the city is small enough to always run into your friends anywhere you go, it’s big enough that if you really don’t ever want to see somebody ever again, you never have to. I feel like people always undervalue that luxury. In New York, you never see anyone, good or bad. In my hometown in Indiana, you see everyone, good and bad. Here, it’s totally your choice.
Your go-to’s in the city?
I have exactly three addresses in Chicago memorized: My apartment, my office and 56 W. Illinois, which is The Underground — I’m there a disturbing amount. Other than that, I’m a huge fan of Jellyfish for date nights and Gilt Bar for the city’s best Vesper martini. I also try and spend as much time as possible with my trainer Dan Hicks at his studio DHF Lakeview to burn off the calories from all my vices.
What’s your most memorable moment from your career so far?
Last year, the British band The Wanted (one of my favorite groups) came to Splash HQ for a live Q&A. During the interview, which was taped and broadcast live online, they mentioned that we had all gone out the night before and they were impressed with my penchant for Fireball whiskey. I was both mortified and hugely proud of myself.
Any words of advice from someone trying to get in your field?
I am probably not the perfect case study for a career in journalism. I studied Biology and Evolutionary Anthropology in school and got a B in the only journalism course I ever took. But my best advice is that if you’re truly passionate about it, it doesn’t really matter if you study it in class; spend every moment of your downtime reading magazines, writing articles, doing photo shoots. It’s a career that’s best learned by actually doing it and making mistakes.
If you could interview anyone for Splash (that you haven’t yet), who would it be and why?
I’m so lucky that through Splash I’ve actually been able to meet and talk with (read: incoherently babble to) almost every celebrity crush I have. But recently, I had a very strange dream where Courteney Cox and I were best friends and she was super cool, so I’d love to talk to her and just see if that’s accurate.
Courteney, if you’re reading this (which I’m sure you are) — You. Zak. Splash. ASAP.
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Isn’t he just a gem? Be sure to check out new issues of Splash each week (and when you see those interviews by Zak Stemer you can be like I KNOW HIM!)
A shoutout to Ramzi and Kat for the photos…I love you guys too
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