Simone Goldstone

Simone Goldstone is an award-winning journalist and Columbia University M.A. candidate in Arts & Culture Journalism (expected 2026). She currently serves as a columnist at the Newport Beach Independent, where she has earned eight Excellence in Journalism Awards from the Orange County Press Club, including multiple first-place honors in Entertainment and Arts & Culture. Her coverage ranges from local culture to national music icons, with interviews that include Dave Grohl, Sugar Ray, Kevin Bacon, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder. Her reporting has been cited by Rolling Stone and featured in a Brad Pitt–produced documentary.

In addition to her music and culture writing, Simone worked as a science journalist at Johns Hopkins University’s Whiting School of Engineering, where she covered groundbreaking research in AI, astrophysics, and biomedical engineering. She has also freelanced for the Washington City Paper, reporting on the D.C. music scene and cultural trends. Earlier in her career, Simone gained industry experience in A&R at Riptide Music Group and as an editorial intern at Crossfader Magazine, where her Bob Dylan feature became the site’s most-read article.

Beyond journalism, Simone brings a creative background in production design and fashion. She has costume- and production-designed student films, worked at For the Stars Fashion House, and styled major events including the Emmy Awards and Coachella. She later worked on commercial sets for Amazon, Target, and Urban Outfitters, blending her understanding of storytelling, design, and audience connection.

Her diverse experiences — from newsroom reporting to music journalism, PR, and visual design — give her a unique interdisciplinary perspective that connects the arts, media, and public conversation.

C. S. Lewis