Nicole Vassell

4 min readFeb 16, 2020

Nicole Vassell is a freelance writer and editor, now available for commissions. Reach her at: nicolemvassell [at] gmail [dot] com

Recent work:

How Strictly Come Dancing became the most reliable talent show on TV

Despite continual reminders of how uncertain the world is, there are three constants we can rely on at the beginning of…

www.newstatesman.com

We said #FreeBritney, and they freed Bill Cosby. What will it take for women to be believed? How…

Late on Wednesday, a California judge denied Britney Spears's long-time request to have her father removed from the…

www.glamourmagazine.co.uk

Where is the outpouring of concern and coverage when Black people go missing?

'He's my oxygen, he's my crown. He's everything to me.' With an exasperated sob, Evidence Joel tries her hardest to…

www.glamourmagazine.co.uk

We can't focus on which royal said what - the institution needs investigating

As soon as news of Meghan and Harry's televised sit-down with Oprah Winfrey was confirmed, there was immediate and…

metro.co.uk

All Boys Aren't Blue author George M Johnson: 'You're conditioned to think a 12-year-old isn't…

The activist and writer talks to Nicole Vassell about their startling memoir of growing up Black and queer in New…

www.independent.co.uk

How the 1997 Cinderella movie challenged Disney's overwhelming whiteness

For many, when asked to picture Cinderella, the first image that will race to mind will be the character from Disney's…

www.digitalspy.com

Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh on the show's refreshingly diverse cast: "We're putting history back into…

When news of Shonda Rhimes' production deal with Netflix was first announced in 2017, it rightfully caused ripples of…

www.digitalspy.com

All These Organisations Made Black Lives Matter Pledges. But Have They Kept Them?

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed on camera during a police arrest. The video showed a white officer Derek…

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

Chadwick Boseman is still teaching us about what equality should look like

The weeks since the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman have seen several clips, anecdotes and soundbites surfacing…

metro.co.uk

The reaction to Diversity on BGT proves that Britain's Got Racism, not talent

When watching Diversity's Britain's Got Talent performance on Saturday, I couldn't help but feel proud and moved. Over…

metro.co.uk

Beyoncé's Black Is King is a stunning manifesto for self-belief and power

Since the unexpected drop of her self-titled album in 2013, Beyoncé's standard roll-out process has had the element of…

inews.co.uk

School can be the first time you realise your race will affect your whole life

Writer Nicole Vassell explains that from the texts taught in English and drama lessons - mostly by white authors, about…

www.mirror.co.uk

'Like death by a thousand cuts': How microaggressions play a traumatic part in everyday racism

Every morning, Cam*, 30, crossed the same bridge to get to her London office. As usual, she was doing this journey a…

www.independent.co.uk

This global pandemic is exposing the medical bias against black women

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed some of the most glaring faults in our society - and sadly, it's provided more…

metro.co.uk

Opinion: As a Black woman, I'm anything but comforted by the police having more powers

As the country continues to feel the effects of coronavirus across every aspect of our daily lives, messages of social…

www.independent.co.uk

The best thing about Love Is Blind was watching Lauren be loved unabashedly

It does exist, of course - but more often than not, the narratives we see on reality TV rarely show black women being…

metro.co.uk

Opinion: Shed a tear for Bill Cosby apologists - their 'what about Weinstein?' argument is dead

Earlier this week, when a New York jury found Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape in the third degree, there was something…

www.independent.co.uk

Okay, we HAVE to talk about... the disappointing state of awards season

British actress Cynthia Erivo is the only non-white acting nominee at this year's Academy Awards…

pridemagazine.com

Rachel John: 'Impostor syndrome is real in theatre'

Following an Olivier-nominated turn in West End-favourite, Hamilton, Rachel John returns back to the stage…

pridemagazine.com

Raphael Saadiq: 'Music is the best thing you could ever do'

R&B/soul star Raphael Saadiq tells Nicole Vassell about his most personal album to date

pridemagazine.com

Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Ruth E. Carter: The First Ladies of Dolemite

Nicole Vassell meets Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter and Tony-nominated actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph…

pridemagazine.com

What 'Megxit' Taught Me About Britain

Megxit taught me that even being a Duchess won’t protect you — this country will serve you racism on a plate, expect you to shut up and take it…

pridemagazine.com

One to Watch - Kiley Reid, author of Such A Fun Age

When getting ready for a night out with friends, the last thing that a 20-something-year-old woman might expect from…

pridemagazine.com

Beverley Knight: 'I've had to fight for absolutely everything'

The UK's top soul songstress tells Nicole Vassell about colourism, gratitude and the importance of believing in your talents

pridemagazine.com

Emeli Sandé: 'I have such a deeper understanding of myself now'

The multi-award-winning singer-songwriter tells Nicole Vassell about her first album in three years, Real Life

pridemagazine.com

Toni Morrison and her endless gifts to Black women

Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison passed away at the age of 88 in August 2019. In tribute to the…

pridemagazine.com

Nicole Vassell

Recent work:

How Strictly Come Dancing became the most reliable talent show on TV

Despite continual reminders of how uncertain the world is, there are three constants we can rely on at the beginning of…

We said #FreeBritney, and they freed Bill Cosby. What will it take for women to be believed? How…

Late on Wednesday, a California judge denied Britney Spears's long-time request to have her father removed from the…

Where is the outpouring of concern and coverage when Black people go missing?

'He's my oxygen, he's my crown. He's everything to me.' With an exasperated sob, Evidence Joel tries her hardest to…

We can't focus on which royal said what - the institution needs investigating

As soon as news of Meghan and Harry's televised sit-down with Oprah Winfrey was confirmed, there was immediate and…

All Boys Aren't Blue author George M Johnson: 'You're conditioned to think a 12-year-old isn't…

The activist and writer talks to Nicole Vassell about their startling memoir of growing up Black and queer in New…

How the 1997 Cinderella movie challenged Disney's overwhelming whiteness

For many, when asked to picture Cinderella, the first image that will race to mind will be the character from Disney's…

Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh on the show's refreshingly diverse cast: "We're putting history back into…

When news of Shonda Rhimes' production deal with Netflix was first announced in 2017, it rightfully caused ripples of…

All These Organisations Made Black Lives Matter Pledges. But Have They Kept Them?

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed on camera during a police arrest. The video showed a white officer Derek…

Chadwick Boseman is still teaching us about what equality should look like

The weeks since the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman have seen several clips, anecdotes and soundbites surfacing…

The reaction to Diversity on BGT proves that Britain's Got Racism, not talent

When watching Diversity's Britain's Got Talent performance on Saturday, I couldn't help but feel proud and moved. Over…

Beyoncé's Black Is King is a stunning manifesto for self-belief and power

Since the unexpected drop of her self-titled album in 2013, Beyoncé's standard roll-out process has had the element of…

School can be the first time you realise your race will affect your whole life

Writer Nicole Vassell explains that from the texts taught in English and drama lessons - mostly by white authors, about…

'Like death by a thousand cuts': How microaggressions play a traumatic part in everyday racism

Every morning, Cam*, 30, crossed the same bridge to get to her London office. As usual, she was doing this journey a…

This global pandemic is exposing the medical bias against black women

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed some of the most glaring faults in our society - and sadly, it's provided more…

Opinion: As a Black woman, I'm anything but comforted by the police having more powers

As the country continues to feel the effects of coronavirus across every aspect of our daily lives, messages of social…

The best thing about Love Is Blind was watching Lauren be loved unabashedly

It does exist, of course - but more often than not, the narratives we see on reality TV rarely show black women being…

Opinion: Shed a tear for Bill Cosby apologists - their 'what about Weinstein?' argument is dead

Earlier this week, when a New York jury found Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape in the third degree, there was something…

Okay, we HAVE to talk about... the disappointing state of awards season

British actress Cynthia Erivo is the only non-white acting nominee at this year's Academy Awards…

Rachel John: 'Impostor syndrome is real in theatre'

Following an Olivier-nominated turn in West End-favourite, Hamilton, Rachel John returns back to the stage…

Raphael Saadiq: 'Music is the best thing you could ever do'

R&B/soul star Raphael Saadiq tells Nicole Vassell about his most personal album to date

Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Ruth E. Carter: The First Ladies of Dolemite

Nicole Vassell meets Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter and Tony-nominated actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph…

What 'Megxit' Taught Me About Britain

Megxit taught me that even being a Duchess won’t protect you — this country will serve you racism on a plate, expect you to shut up and take it…

One to Watch - Kiley Reid, author of Such A Fun Age

When getting ready for a night out with friends, the last thing that a 20-something-year-old woman might expect from…

Beverley Knight: 'I've had to fight for absolutely everything'

The UK's top soul songstress tells Nicole Vassell about colourism, gratitude and the importance of believing in your talents

Emeli Sandé: 'I have such a deeper understanding of myself now'

The multi-award-winning singer-songwriter tells Nicole Vassell about her first album in three years, Real Life

Toni Morrison and her endless gifts to Black women

Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison passed away at the age of 88 in August 2019. In tribute to the…

Written by Nicole Vassell

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