Interview: Daniel Spielberger
Photos courtesy of Daniel Spielberger
Daniel Spielberger is the LA-based writer once known as Lindsay Lohan’s Last Fan.
No, not literally — but one of Spielberger’s first forays into writing was creative Tumblr project during his freshman year of college entitled Lindsay Lohan’s Last Fan. Since then, the LA-based writer done both fiction and reporting, and his work now appears in top outlets like VICE, NBC News, L.A. Review of Books, Paper, Gawker, and more.
It makes sense, for a Lohan stan, that Spielberger continues to cover pop culture today, in addition to “books, art, Jewish stuff, and weird internet stuff.” He recently profiled Imogen Binnie, the author of Nevada, a cult classic novel of trans literature; interviewed Neil Patrick Harris about his Netflix show; and written about taking Kris Jenner’s MasterClass to improve his own personal brand. According to Spielberger, his work is about fun and subjectivity.
“A throughline in my essay and fiction writing is exploring subjective relationships to objective phenomena and icons. In a way, that’s an extension of the Lindsay blog,” he explains. “With my essays, I just want readers to have fun or challenge their preconceived notions — so I guess audibly chuckle or have a full blown existential crisis. Either reaction is fine.”
Outside of his editorial work, Spielberger is an experienced copywriter and editor who has previously worked with District One as a writer, penning pieces like The Identity and Function of Food in Art History and Dry January: Month or State of Mind? We sat down with Spielberger to talk about how he started writing, what he’s reading, and his recent visit to Martha Stewart’s restaurant in Las Vegas.
Give us the one-sentence "about me."
I am a writer based in Los Angeles.
Describe the place you come from in one sentence.
This is what would happen if Philip Roth wrote a telenovela while snacking on Sprinkles Cupcakes.
Your sign(s)?
Aries Sun, Libra Moon
What are 5-6 items that would go into the Daniel Spielberger “starter pack”?
My “Freedom Is Being In Charge of Your Own Destruction” tote bag
Haribo gummy worms
A copy of Jack Halberstam’s The Queer Art of Failure
A massage gun
A Poosh x Erewhon smoothie,
An Açaí bowl.
When did you start writing / where do you write for?
I have written fiction since I was a child but I don’t think I really found my creative voice until college. During freshman year, I started a conceptual Tumblr project from the perspective of Lindsay Lohan’s Last Fan. I overlaid these really deranged poems about obsession and projection onto the starlet. I was writing fiction at the time too. A few years after I wrapped up the LiLo project, I wrote an essay about my whole experience for Pelican Bomb, this since-closed New Orleans art gallery. I remember posting it on Facebook and it blew up and I felt that I wanted to write more essays about other topics/subjects besides Lindsay (though there is so much to say).
I had just gotten back from teaching English in Huế, Vietnam and traveling around Southeast Asia and didn’t really have that much direction and was working at this sandwich shop on the Venice Boardwalk as a mini-donut maker. I started writing for small pop culture journals and got a job writing funky listicles at a startup. I eventually got into reporting, too. I have written for outlets like VICE, NBC News, Los Angeles Review of Books, Them, W Magazine, BuzzFeed, Insider, Playboy, Paper Magazine, and Gawker.
What was the "a-ha" moment that made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
In 2013, I went to a screening of Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers and he was in the audience and introduced the movie with the ATL Twins. He described it as a “pop poem” and I became obsessed with that term and how to apply it to my own art. I am still trying to capture that vibe in my fiction and essays but hopefully one day I can have my own “pop poem.” #goals
What's your favorite story you wrote this year?
Interviewing David LaChapelle for VICE about his exhibition at Fotografiska New York. I am obsessed with maximalism and pop art so this was a dream article.
Who are your favorite writers to read right now?
Lynn Steger Strong, Kate Atkinson, Stephen King, and Helen DeWitt. Paul Dalla Rosa has a short story collection I enjoyed a lot. I really want to read some more Percival Everett because I loved Erasure.
Outside of writing, what sparks joy in your life? Any passion projects?
Road trips and making elaborate cocktails! I recently went to Las Vegas with my partner and visited Martha Stewart’s restaurant where they serve a Martha-tini, Martha’s very own martini. It was fantastic. It’s the little things that make life worth living.
Lightning round
Book you're reading? Kashana Cauley’s The Survivalists.
Pop culture moment that lives in your head rent free? When Ray-J used a pixelated rendering of Kim Kardashian in a bikini as the artwork for his single “I Hit It First.”
Ideal last meal on earth? Pabellón criollo.
The best club or party in NYC? Karaoke Shout in Astoria, Queens
Your favorite restaurant in your neighborhood? Kahuna Tiki
Your celebrity "muse"? Angel MaMii
The 3 drinks on your desk at any given time? Cold brew, CBD Beverage, iced water
The best dish you personally can cook? Pan-seared scallops with garlic butter.
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Follow Daniel on Instagram @quepasodaniel1993 and Twitter @quepaso_daniel
