Lindy West

Lindy West is an American writer, comedian, and activist known for her work in feminist discourse, cultural criticism, and the fat acceptance movement. West writes about feminism, popular culture, film, and body image, blending humor with incisive analysis to challenge societal norms. She served as the film editor for Seattle's alternative weekly newspaper The Stranger, where her distinctive style began to attract a wide readership. Her review of "Sex and the City 2" gained significant attention, establishing her as a prominent voice in pop culture commentary. West later became a staff writer for Jezebel, covering topics such as racism, sexism, and fat shaming.

West is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir "Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman," as well as the essay collections "The Witches Are Coming" and "Shit, Actually." The television adaptation of "Shrill," starring Aidy Bryant, premiered on Hulu, with West serving as executive producer and writer. Her books have been recognized by outlets such as Esquire and NPR. West's national bestseller "Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane" was published by Grand Central Publishing. Across her works, West uses humor to address political and social issues, engaging a broad audience.

West co-wrote and produced the independent feature film "Thin Skin." She co-hosts the comedy podcast "Text Me Back" and authors the email newsletter "Butt News," where she revisits classic films. West also premiered her one-woman show, "Every Castle, Ranked," highlighting her range as a live performer and storyteller. She has contributed opinion pieces to the New York Times, and her work has appeared in This American Life, The Guardian, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Vulture, and Jezebel.

In addition to her writing and performance work, West has played a significant role in online activism. She co-founded Shout Your Abortion, a social media campaign aimed at destigmatizing abortion experiences. West wrote and recorded a story for This American Life about confronting an internet troll, contributing to broader conversations about online harassment and misogyny. She received the Women's Media Center Social Media Award and The Stranger's Genius Award in Literature for "Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman." West's career demonstrates the use of humor and cultural criticism as tools for social change, with ongoing influence in discussions of feminism, body image, and media.