Exploring Life & Business with Kristen Maldonado of Pop Culture Planet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Maldonado.

Kristen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I had studied Broadcast Journalism in college and was always told that you needed to create a reel if you wanted to get an opportunity on camera.

I took that idea to the next level by starting a YouTube channel reviewing shows and movies and doing celebrity interviews. Over the years, it’s evolved into so much more with the addition of a video podcast and website with Pop Culture Planet.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The reality is that entertainment is a white man’s game. It’s been hard to get access or be taken seriously at times, but I just keep pushing and being persistent.

Just because one person says no that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to get a seat at the table. Or in the case of me making my own outlet with Pop Culture Planet, creating your own table, and uplifting others with you.

As you know, we’re big fans of Pop Culture Planet. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Pop Culture Planet is an entertainment outlet that I own and operate. It features deep dives into television, movies, and celebrity interviews. I’m a one-woman show who does everything myself, including pitching interviews and review coverage, covering red carpets, attending screenings, writing, editing, filming, and social strategy.

What makes my work different is that I’m a Latina who was really inspired by the lack of diversity I was seeing within the entertainment space. I have made it my mission to cover the world of entertainment while also shining a light on representation and inclusion.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories was that my dad would come home from work with comic books for me and my brother. That got me to start collecting comics from a young age, which really came in handy when I interned at Marvel in college.

My dad has always been into television and movies and pop culture in a way that really influenced me as a kid and we share that today still.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.popcultureplanet.net
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kaymaldo1
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kaymaldo
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kaymaldo
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/kaymaldo
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-planet/id1525827008; https://www.tiktok.com/@kaymaldo?lang=en