Crystal Bell is the Culture Editor at Mashable. She oversees the site's coverage of the creator economy, digital spaces, and internet trends, focusing on how young people engage with others and themselves online. She is particularly interested in how social media platforms shape our online and offline identities.
She was formerly the entertainment director at MTV News, where she helped the brand expand its coverage of extremely online fan culture and K-pop across its platforms. You can find her work in Teen Vogue, PAPER, NYLON, ELLE, Glamour, NME, W, The FADER, and elsewhere on the internet.
She's exceptionally fluent in fandom and will gladly make you a K-pop playlist and/or provide anime recommendations upon request. Crystal lives in New York City with her two black cats, Howl and Sophie.
Areas of Expertise
Author Recommended
How 'KPop Demon Hunters' became a love letter to K-pop and its fandom
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans unpack the visual cues, idol archetypes, and K-pop references that shaped Netflix’s breakout animated hit.
By Crystal Bell
Le Sserafim on tech, style, and staying connected in a digital world
Sony’s latest collaboration with Le Sserafim merges cutting-edge audio tech with K-pop style, redefining the relationship between music and self-expression.
By Crystal Bell
'Suzume' review: Makoto Shinkai's healing journey is stunningly personal
The feel-good disaster flick from the anime auteur is strongest when the hero puts herself first.
By Crystal Bell
Latest From Crystal Bell
Why everyone on TikTok is using punch cards to hit their goals
In an era of digital burnout, creators are turning goals into punchable milestones.
By Crystal Bell
Spotify's Prompted Playlist lets you micromanage your own algorithm
The new feature offers a middle ground between passive recommendations and manual curation
By Crystal Bell
'Admin night' is the most responsible fun you can have in 2026
A new social trend turns life's most dreaded tasks into a low-key hang.
By Crystal Bell
TikTok says the era of 'delulu' is over. It's time to lock in to reality.
The platform's latest TikTok Next report points to a cultural shift away from escapism and toward discipline and routine.
By Crystal Bell
A new 'Heated Rivalry' book is on the way — preorder 'Unrivaled' by Rachel Reid now
Shane and Ilya's love story continues. Here's what you need to know.
By Crystal Bell
Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams, and Seventeen's Joshua are the Golden Globes' most viral meet-cute
The 'Heated Rivalry' stars and the Seventeen idol became the night's most viral boys
By Crystal Bell
Leonardo DiCaprio's animated Golden Globes side conversation is the night's biggest mystery
An off-stage clip has sparked lip-reading theories, internet speculation, and a new meme.
By Crystal Bell
'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 opening turns the Culling Game into unsettling art
Leaning on fine-art imagery and symbolism, the opening signals a darker, more unforgiving chapter.
By Crystal Bell
'Heated Rivalry' star Connor Storrie embraces childhood YouTube videos as 'self-acceptance'
Storrie's old YouTube videos are going viral, but the actor sees them as part of his journey, not something to erase.
By Crystal Bell
'The dominATE Experience' trailer proves Stray Kids were built for the big screen
A Stray Kids concert is the kind that lingers long after the final encore, and now it’s getting the cinematic treatment it deserves.
By Crystal Bell
Best of CES 2026 awards announced: See all the winners and nominees
See the best CES 2026 has to offer this year.
By Amanda Yeo and Crystal Bell
'Heated Rivalry' fans crashed Quinn app for Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie
The internet was not ready for the actors' audio erotica reunion.
By Crystal Bell
Skullpanda's Sanrio collab just gave me my new emotional support bag charm
Your bag's new personality just dropped, featuring My Melody and Kuromi.
By Crystal Bell
For 'Jujutsu Kaisen' fans, Christmas Eve is a day of mourning
With the anime’s next season on the horizon, fans are grieving two very important characters.
By Crystal Bell
6-7? Aura farming? 2025's viral internet slang, explained
These viral phrases are dominating online culture. Here’s what they really mean.
By Crystal Bell
YouTube pulls the plug on popular AI-generated fake movie trailer channels
The channels amassed billions of views before being removed for repeatedly posting AI-generated movie trailers that misled viewers, Deadline reports.
By Crystal Bell
TikTok signs deal to sell its U.S. operations after years of uncertainty
TikTok’s great American breakup is finally happening.
By Crystal Bell
What to expect from the inaugural U.S. TikTok Awards
The event will stream Dec. 18, with Ciara headlining and creators taking center stage. Mashable will be there for every moment.
By Crystal Bell
How singer-songwriter Chloé Caroline built a loyal following without chasing virality
"You can have millions of views and it can feel empty — or a few thousand that truly connect."
By Mashable Contributor and Crystal Bell
From lip stain to a laptop mic: Inside Chloé Caroline's creator essentials
What's inside her bag? An iPhone tripod, noise-cancelling headphones, and a little bit of sage for good vibes.
By Mashable Contributor and Crystal Bell
How to vote for the TikTok Awards 2025 — plus date, nominees, and how to watch
The FYP is going IRL
By Crystal Bell
Starbucks' Bearista Cup has the internet in a full-blown frenzy
From $30 cups to $600 eBay listings, the bear-shaped glass tumbler has collectors crashing out.
By Crystal Bell
