Ilana Kaplan

IK bio
Title: Staff Editor, Music — PEOPLE
  • Ilana Kaplan has over 15 years of experience working as an editor and journalist, with a focus on music, entertainment and style.
  • She joined PEOPLE in 2023 and is currently a staff editor.
  • Ilana was previously the editor of Alternative Press, a lifestyle editor at Dotdash Meredith, the US culture reporter for The Independent, a contributing editor at PAPER Magazine and a weekend writer at Rolling Stone. She has written a book on Nora Ephron for ABRAMS which will be published in October 2024.


Experience

Ilana Kaplan has over 15 years of experience working in digital news. She joined the PEOPLE team in 2023 and currently serves as a staff editor.

Before joining PEOPLE, Ilana worked as a writer and editor for a number of publications. She previously was the editor of Alternative Press where she oversaw the website and quarterly print magazine; a lifestyle editor at Dotdash Meredith where she worked across Byrdie, Brides, Verywell, and more on the performance marketing team; a US culture reporter for The Independent, where she covered breaking news and features in the music celebrity space; a contributing editor at PAPER Magazine where she wrote news and celebrity profiles and edited features; and a weekend writer at Rolling Stone where she covered music, TV and film news.

She has also been a longtime freelance writer who has had a focus on celebrity and musician profiles and entertainment news. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, The Washington Post, Billboard, SPIN, Vanity Fair, Vogue, GQ, Variety and more.

She joined PEOPLE in 2023 and currently serves as a staff editor.

Ilana previously worked at Alternative Press, Dotdash Meredith, The Independent, Rolling Stone and PAPER Magazine.

Education

Ilana Kaplan graduated with a B.A. in Journalism & Media Studies and English from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.

About PEOPLE

PEOPLE, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, delivers the most trustworthy celebrity news and captivating human interest stories, connecting you to the pulse of American culture. Since our first issue hit stands in 1974, we have been striving to tell compelling stories about the people behind the issues, as opposed to just the issues themselves. We are your everyday escape, taking you inside the lives of intriguing stars, newsmakers, up-and-comers and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We serve and delight you by providing ideas about beauty, food and style through the lens of the people influencing the trends. And we are a force for good by telling stories of hope, optimism and kindness that drive conversation and inspire action. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.

Latest from Ilana Kaplan

noah kahan; sma sexy at every age page
Noah Kahan Shares Hilarious Reaction to Sexiest Man Alive Inclusion: 'There's Been a Mistake'
Zach Bryan
Zach Bryan Completes Deferred Prosecution Agreement as Case Closes on 2023 Oklahoma Arrest
Down The Rabbit Hole Envelope Ornament; Taylor Swift attends the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California; Fancy **** Table Runner
Taylor Swift Offers Everything from Ornaments to a 'Fancy S---' Table Runner in Holiday Store
Eric Johnson steps out in Los Angeles, spotted without his wedding ring amid growing divorce rumors after Jessica
Jessica Simpson's Husband Eric Johnson Spotted Without Ring as Source Says They're Living 'Separate Lives' (Exclusive)
Luke Combs attends the 55th annual Country Music Association, Kelsea Ballerini attends the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards at The Grand Ole Opry and Jelly Roll attends the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California,
Kelsea Ballerini, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs and More to Perform at 2024 CMA Awards
American Jazz musician Roy Haynes plays drums as he leads his Fountain of Youth Band on his 90th birthday concert at the Blue Note nightclub, New York, New York, March 13, 2015.
Roy Haynes, Legendary Jazz Drummer, Dies at 99
(L-R) Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, an Kevin Jonas perform onstage during Jonas Brothers "Five Albums, One Night" Tour Opening Night at Yankee Stadium on August 12, 2023 in New York City; Liam Payne arrives at the "All Of Those Voices" UK Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on March 16, 2023 in London, England
Jonas Brothers Perform Stripped-Down Cover of One Direction's 'Night Changes' After Liam Payne's Death
Flavor Flav and Jason Sudeikis perform onstage during the 2024 Thundergong at the Uptown Theater on November 09, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Flavor Flav Sings Backstreet Boys and Raps with Jason Sudeikis at Charity Concert — Watch!
English heavy metal musician Paul Di'Anno performing live on stage at the 2013 Hard Rock Hell festival in Pwllheli, Wales, on November 30, 2013.
Iron Maiden Alum Paul Di'Anno's Cause of Death Revealed After Musician Died at 66
Blake Shelton; Taylor Sheridan
Blake Shelton and Taylor Sheridan Team Up for New Singing Competition Series The Road
EVE in Seoul
Eve Celebrates 46th Birthday in ‘Two Different Time Zones’ During Trip to Seoul: 'I Am BEYOND Grateful'
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Liam Gallagher Assures Skeptics That Oasis Would 'Wipe the Floor' with Most Other Bands on Their Worst Day
Quincy Jones daughter rashida
Rashida Jones Pays Tribute to Her Father Quincy Jones After His Death at 91: 'It Is an Honor to Be Your Daughter'
Sir Paul McCartney arrives at the Stella McCartney show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2016/2017 on March 7, 2016 in Paris, France; Quincy Jones attends Spotify's Secret Genius Awards hosted by NE-YO at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on November 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
How Paul McCartney Responded to Quincy Jones' Shocking Comments About The Beatles
Rosie Perez Madonna and Tupac Shakur
Rosie Perez Reveals How Madonna Asked for Help to Hook Her Up with Tupac Shakur Ahead of Secret Relationship
Ariana Grande and Stevie Nicks
Ariana Grande Says Stevie Nicks Is a 'Warm, Beautiful, Good Witch in Every Sense' After Meeting for the First Time at SNL
Pharrell Williams at the Variety TIFF Step & Repeat during the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 on September 8, 2024 in Toronto, Canada.
Why Pharrell Williams Got Fired from McDonald's 3 Times
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Kate Nash performs on Day 2 of Victorious Festival 2023 at Southsea Common on August 26, 2023 in Portsmouth, England
Kate Nash Recalls Hiding Her Bisexuality in School: 'I Think I Want to Kiss Girls, Is Something Wrong with Me?'
Olivia Rodrigo, Elon Musk and Grimes Split
Grimes Agrees with Olivia Rodrigo's 'Oddly Specific' Dating 'Red Flag' and Trolls Ex Elon Musk
Ed Sheeran attends a private view of artist Jelly Green's new exhibition "Burn" on March 30, 2022 in London, England.
Ed Sheeran Persuades Court to Uphold 'Thinking Out Loud' Decision in Copyright Appeal Case: Report
Bill Murray and Laufey
Bill Murray Makes Cameo in Laufey's Festive Music Video for Silly Rendition of 'Santa Baby' — Watch!
Olivia Rodrigo Surprises Trick-or-Treaters
Olivia Rodrigo Shocks Trick-or-Treaters for Halloween on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live': 'Am I That Scary?'
Michelle Williams; Kelly Rowland and Beyonce
Why Michelle Williams Didn't Join Destiny's Child Reunion at Kamala Harris Rally in Houston
Mel B, The Spice Girls
Mel B Reportedly Calls Spice Girls Members 'D---heads' After Band Refuses to Reunite for Tour