Elaine Welteroth Announces Departure From Teen Vogue, Signs With CAA

On Thursday, Fashionista reported that Teen Vogue’s editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth will be leaving the magazine, per an email sent to staff that same day. Welteroth confirmed the news in several tweets responding to fans’ well wishes and dismay:

Welteroth has been with the magazine since October 2012 and became the editor of its print edition in May 2016, at the age of 29, making her the younger editor in the company’s history, in addition to being only the second black woman to head a Condé Nast print magazine. In April, she was promoted to editor-in-chief of the publication.

Welteroth’s reputation is for revolutionizing the scope of Teen Vogue, particularly by publishing pieces that engaged seriously with politics, inequality, and social justice initiatives. Welteroth told Daily Show host Trevor Noah in February, “I would say that Teen Vogue has as much right to be at the table, talking about politics, as every young woman does in America right now.”

According to a statement given by Condé Nast to Fashionista, Welteroth was offered several positions within the company, but ultimately chose to take her career “in a different direction:

“We talked to Elaine about a number of different opportunities but ultimately she decided to go in a different direction. She was instrumental in the successful launch of the Teen Vogue Summit and know that she will carry that same passion and enthusiasm into her next venture. We wish her all the best in what we know will be an incredible career.”

Shortly after, The Hollywood Reporter learned that Welteroth had signed with top talent agency CAA, indicating she will be transitioning to more on-camera work (she once appeared in a cameo role on Black-ish). According to THR, “CAA will work with Welteroth to expand her opportunities in film, television, digital, branding, and endorsements as well as speaking engagements.”