Writers are renowned for their mastery of language, but can they translate that skill to the pressure of a spelling bee? A group of celebrated authors, comedians, and stylists put their linguistic abilities to the test Tuesday evening at the inaugural Substack Spelling Bee in Los Angeles, hosted by writer, actress, and director Cazzie David. The event, a playful exploration of words and wit, underscored the unique connection between those who craft narratives and the fundamental building blocks of language.
David, who recently launched a Substack newsletter and released her second essay collection, Delusions: Of Grandeur, of Romance, of Progress, told Vogue she enjoys “bringing people together with a shared activity.” The spelling bee certainly delivered on that promise, offering a lighthearted competition and a celebration of the written word.
The competition, held at the historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Highland Park, featured a diverse lineup of participants including Nicole Richie, stylist Jamie Mizrahi, authors Jedidiah Jenkins and Brontez Purnell, Vogue alum Karley Sciortino, podcaster Jason Stewart, and comedians Alex Edelman and Drew Tarver. David, sporting a polka dot mini dress by Rebecca Vallance, assured the audience that the evening was, “about winning.” Comedian Jacqueline Novak, co-host of the skincare-focused podcast POOG, also joined as a co-host, a fitting presence given the warm-up round included words like “moisturizer.”
Matt Starr, Substack’s lead of creative strategy and events, drew on his childhood memories of the Scripps National Spelling Bee to organize the event, aiming to capture that nostalgic spirit. The choice of venue proved ideal, as the Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a beloved Highland Park institution, recently highlighted by Kristen Stewart’s efforts to save the century-old Highland Theatre and Bad Bunny’s spotlight on Villa’s Tacos during his Super Bowl Halftime performance.
The atmosphere was encouraging and interactive, with audience members enthusiastically offering assistance when spellers faltered. A particularly memorable moment occurred when Nicole Richie confidently spelled “neurodivergent,” prompting a lively cheer from the crowd. Richie had previously expressed hoping for the word “cat” to appear, but successfully navigated several themed rounds, even facing a challenge from David with “Steve Buscemi.”
As the competition progressed through rounds focused on celebrities and cities, the field narrowed to three finalists: Edelman, Jenkins, and Stewart. David continued to offer encouragement, but ultimately stumped Jenkins and Stewart with “Bulgari” and “Louboutin,” respectively. Alex Edelman secured the first-place trophy – a gold medal and the complete works of Shakespeare – with his correct spelling of “L-A-M-B-O-R-G-H-I-N-I.”
The event concluded with a sense of camaraderie and a shared appreciation for the power of language. David’s earlier sentiment about her writing resonated with the evening’s spirit: “I hope that this book [Delusions] is slightly more evolved.” It’s a sentiment that speaks to the continuous learning process inherent in both writing and, as demonstrated by the spelling bee, the ongoing exploration of words.
The inaugural Substack Spelling Bee proved to be a unique and engaging event, bringing together creative minds for a playful competition. As Substack continues to foster a community of independent writers and creators, events like these highlight the platform’s commitment to celebrating the art of language and the power of connection.
What will Substack’s next creative endeavor be? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to spread the word about this unique event!
