150,000+
Followers
NUMBERS
800+
Articles Written
1.1 Million
Video Views
ABOUT ZARA
I have dedicated my life to storytelling
I’m Zara Barrie, the author of Girl, Stop Passing Out in Your Makeup: The Bad Girl’s Guide to Getting Your Sht Together*, and the former Senior Writer for Elite Daily and Executive Editor of GO Magazine. Before I found my passion for writing, I was a professional actress. But that all changed when I discovered my love for directing. I quickly landed a full-time role as the assistant director at The Source Teen Theatre, one of the most respected youth outreach programs in the country. Over my time there, I directed ten original plays and taught acting, voice, speech, and movement to high-risk teens across the country.
Working with these incredible teens gave me a front-row seat to the transformative power of storytelling. I became fiercely dedicated to tackling tough subjects like bullying, addiction, eating disorders, and self-esteem. From black-tie events in California to detention centers in rural Florida, political conferences in Washington D.C., and public schools in New York City, I spoke to thousands of people—of all ages—about these issues. My experience ignited a fire in me to make these raw talks accessible, and so, I started writing them down in a blog. That blog eventually led me to Elite Daily in New York City, where I landed my first full-time gig as a Staff Writer.
- Anna David, New York Times
best-selling author and TV personality
"Sex and the City's
grittier younger sister,"
Since then, storytelling has been my life. From being called “Sex and the City’s grittier younger sister” by Anna David to building one of the most honest and recognizable voices on the internet, I’ve written thousands of viral essays and accumulated tens of millions of page views. But the thing that truly excites me? Empowering others to tap into their creative magic. Through my workshops and coaching, I get to help others create their own magic too.
I also created, produced, and voice-acted in Girls on Jane, a serialized fictional audio drama that’s currently in its second season. Anna David called me “Sex and the City’s grittier younger sister,” while Candice Jalili, author of Making Mashad (Disney-Hyperion), said, “If Cat Marnell and F. Scott Fitzgerald had a literary baby, it would be Zara Barrie.” She’s right. I’ve got Marnell’s dark humor and Fitzgerald’s flair for making words sparkle on the page.
As an out lesbian, I’m proud to be a founding board member of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, a nonprofit empowering LGBTQ+ youth in rural America. It was an honor to speak alongside Chelsea Clinton at their kickoff event, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
I’ve spent my career helping people find their voices, whether it’s through my writing, workshops, or coaching—and I’m not stopping anytime soon. Let’s keep shining, unapologetically.
"Protect Your
F*cking Sparkle"
-Zara Barrie
AS SEEN IN
Girl, Stop Passing Out With Your Makeup On!
Finally, a self-help book for the millennial party girl who hates bullshit advice from “experts” who know nothing about the trauma of drinking and sex, the acute pressure of keeping up with the rest of the Adderall poppin' world, and the insecurity that comes along with feeling like you have to be thin and gorgeous and sparkly in order to be seen.
Girls On Jane
Girls on Jane is a bold and hilarious audio drama and weekly column that dives into the vibrant and messy world of mid-2000s lesbian culture in Manhattan’s West Village. Set against the backdrop of Dolly’s, a lesbian bar on Jane Street, it follows the fab and flawed women whose lives intertwine through love, heartbreak, one-night stands, and hedonistic adventures. With a mix of sex, glam, and grit, Girls on Jane celebrates the beauty of diverse identities and experiences, offering a wild ride through the glittery and gritty city of New York. Created by Zara Barrie, this fictionalized story captures the spirit of queer life with unapologetic humor and raw authenticity.
Go Magazine
GO Magazine is an LGBTQ+ publication that covers culture, style, and issues affecting queer women. As Executive Editor, Zara Barrie played a pivotal role in shaping the content with her unapologetic and often provocative voice. Zara’s articles on relationships, identity, and queer culture resonated with readers, offering a mix of humor, raw insight, and personal experience. She became a key figure at GO Magazine, known for writing pieces that were as empowering as they were thought-provoking, drawing in a diverse audience of readers who valued her unique perspective.
The Skinny Confidential
The Skinny Confidential is a lifestyle blog that shares advice on beauty, health, relationships, and personal development. Zara Barrie contributed articles that blended her signature candidness with thoughtful insights on sex, dating, and personal empowerment. Her writing resonated with readers who appreciated her raw honesty and unique perspective, whether she was sharing advice about queer identity or navigating the challenges of modern relationships. Zara’s articles were always a bold reflection of her experiences and expertise, making her a valued contributor to the site.
Elite Daily
Elite Daily is a digital media platform aimed at young adults, providing insightful content on a wide range of topics, from lifestyle to relationships. Zara Barrie contributed as a senior writer, where she brought her distinct voice and expertise to articles on sexuality, fashion, and women’s experiences. Known for her no-nonsense approach, Zara’s writing tackled complex subjects like self-discovery and modern relationships, often with a raw, honest, and humorous twist. She connected with readers by offering a perspective that resonated with the complexities of queer life and personal growth.
Ravishly
Ravishly is a digital magazine that covers culture, lifestyle, and social issues, with a focus on providing empowering and inclusive content. Zara Barrie’s contributions to Ravishly were marked by her fearless, unapologetic writing. As a columnist, she tackled topics like sex, mental health, and queer identity with a mix of humor and authenticity. Zara’s candid, relatable approach made her writing a go-to resource for readers seeking advice on everything from navigating relationships to embracing one’s true self.