Tessa Hayley Hellberg
Location
Johannesburg, South Africa
School
University Of The Witwatersrand
Expertise
Feminism And Post-feminism, Intersectionality, Fashion And Style
- While in university, Tessa fell in love with feminist literature and the concept of using intersectionality as a lens to view the world. She also developed a fascination with post-feminism, and post-post-feminism, and cites Rosamund Gill and Simidele Dosekun as two of the scholars who inspire her most.
- Tessa has a passion for pop culture, and in her time as an entertainment reporter, she has often found ways to place emphasis on important social issues through celebrity interviews; from shedding light on the LGBTQIA+ community in the yachting world with "Below Deck" star Kyle Viljoen, to understanding experiences in the foster care system with "Real Housewives Of Atlanta" star, Marlo Hampton.
- Tessa's love for reporting stems way back to her childhood. Back then, she would craft school assignments into pop culture-style reports, and dreamed of becoming an entertainment journalist - all no doubt spurred on by her love for celebrity magazines and the E! Network.
Experience
Towards the end of her undergraduate degree, Tessa joined an edutainment app as the resident pop culture writer. Since then, she's gone on to realize her childhood dream, joining TheThings as an interviewer, and writing for number of Static Media brands, including Nicki Swift and The List. She joined the Women.com team in April 2023 – the ideal platform for her to do regular deep dives into a variety of women's issues, from reproductive rights to hair care and STI diagnoses.
Education
Tessa has a Bachelor's degree in Politics and Media Studies, and Honors and Masters Degrees in Media Studies, all from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her Masters dissertation, centered on the representation of femininity in "The Real Housewives of Johannesburg," was one of the first to center on an African iteration of the franchise.
Women’s coverage reflects a combined effort between writers and editors with strong expertise in the lifestyle space, including news and politics. Our mission is to inform and provoke critical thought, engaging our readers with concise yet expressive content strengthened with the insights of key experts.
Focused on inclusivity and accuracy, we ensure our articles are rigorously evaluated and fact-checked to maintain those core values. Further information on our editorial process is available here.
Stories By Tessa Hayley Hellberg
-
The classic floral accessory is taking the fashion world by storm. Here's how to seamlessly work it into your summer wardrobe.
-
In the age of luxe minimalism, snakeskin is rearing its head for a comeback. And we're absolutely here for it.
-
Shared interests are good for a relationship, but it doesn't mean you need to love all of your partner's hobbies. Here's how to navigate doing your own thing.
-
Martha Stewart appearing on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit SI cover is a moment, whether or not the 81-year-old celebrity's picture is photoshopped.
-
The job search platform can easily become a hotbed for unhealthy comparison. Here's how to cut through the noise so you can stay focused on your goals
-
Shiv Roy is effortlessly fashionable on Succession, thanks to her 'old money' style; here's how you too can achieve this business casual look.
-
According to one recent study, skipping weekday workouts in favor of weekend sweat sessions might not be a bad thing after all
-
Blackout tattoos, once used for cover-ups, have become a popular skin art trend. However, there's some controversy to consider before going under the needle.
-
Are you wondering why you're losing so much hair? Here's how to know if you're shedding too much and the steps to take if your hair loss is beyond normal.
-
One of the most anxiety-inducing things about an STI diagnosis is the prospect of telling new partners about it. But it is a conversation that needs to be had.
-
Los Angeles attorney Vineet Dubey tells Women.com the judge's arguments against Mifepristone's safety don't hold much water