Associated Press journalist Nekesa Mumbi Moody has made history as The Hollywood Reporter’s editorial director. Formerly AP’s Global Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor, Moody is the first Black woman to hold the position of editorial director the history of the magazine.

Moody replaces Matthew Belloni, who unexpectedly left THR after several arguments with Valence Media, the magazine’s parent company, regarding the magazine’s coverage. UrbanHollywood 411 reports that Belloni is said to have not wanted to give favorable reporting to Valence Media’s other companies, such as Knives Out and Ozark producer MRC. Belloni was also allegedly spoken to about his “negative” coverage of Hollywood, the magazine’s coverage of Jennifer Lopez and attempt to bury an article on U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Munchin’s wife Louise Linton.

Moody has the full support of THR as shown in the magazine’s statement regarding her hiring. “Nekesa is an incredibly smart, well-respected journalist and seasoned leader who can confidently shape the next chapter of this venerable brand and we are proud to welcome her to The Hollywood Reporter,” said Deanna Brown, president of Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Media Group.

In her statement, Moody praised the magazine for “consistently [producing] some of the most important, informative and revealing stories about the entertainment industry.” She added that she is “thrilled to join and look forward to building on the incredible work of its journalists as Hollywood finds itself facing new challenges amid historic change.”

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