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Stephanie Mendez

@stephatespunk

4.9K

followers

1986

following

Emmy Award-winning journalist/producer/writer
Punk rock desmadrosa
Credits in ABC, NBC, LA Times, SPIN, L.A. Taco & more

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A look back at everything I wrote in 2025 ✍🏽📝 by @stephatespunk

WE WON THE IMAGEN AWARD LAST NIGHT FOR OUR SPECIAL, “Latinos in Hollywood: Owning Our Destiny.”

I’m so grateful to our fearless leader and executive producer Melia Patria, who invited me to attend—I accepted our award last night on behalf of the entire ABC team. I made sure to mention her, senior producer Wendy Krantz, & of course, our incredible host & talent, @johnquinones for leading our team.

We had a team of strong and talented producers who labored over the scripts & edits—they were incredible to work with throughout this project: Matt Cullinan, Net Negussie, Katerina Rosen, & Sebastian Leyva.
@_netsanetnegussie @katzy_katzy_katzy

It was a magical night full of so much inspiration. I’m so proud of this project and this team. ❤️⭐️

Make up by @steveoraha
Hair color/cut by @amberduhzhair by @stephatespunk

Proud daughter of IMMIGRANTS ✨👑🌟

I did this portrait session with @j_moncrief the day before the fires started with the intention of sharing these the next day. But after everything unfolded the way it did, it didn’t feel right to celebrate in the midst of so much loss. So I put off posting these photos…

But now, I feel like I have to allow myself some joy to celebrate—it can’t be darkness all the time. We won’t be able to get important work done if we let sorrow swallow us. We have to cherish these moments when we can.

So I want to celebrate the arrival of my Emmy Awards and these fun pictures that my favorite photographer & talented friend Jessica Moncrief shot. She’s been shooting my portraits for years now and she really killed this shoot. 🔥⭐️

With so much hatred and vitriol being directed at immigrants and other disenfranchised groups right now, I also want to celebrate my identity and resilience as a first generation Purépecha-Mexican American, a daughter of immigrants who crossed the border in hopes of a better life. I am proof to them that they did good, that they succeeded in this land, and their sacrifices were worth it.

✨This daughter of immigrants is an EMMY WINNER. ✨ by @stephatespunk

On assignment for opening statements in the Tupac murder trial. Coverage to come…
#tupac by @stephatespunk

L.A. is home to renowned esports organizations, but it is also where many streamers have made a name for themselves simply by gaming from home for thousands of viewers. Here’s what they have to say about becoming a success story.

The full story: https://lataco.com/la-gamers-guide

By @stephatespunk by @stephatespunk

I love Long Beach. It’s given me so much over the years, and I’ve tried my best to give back since my young days as a CSULB student. Thank you @roaddogstv — a public-access television show & production in LB that spotlights local culture, arts & music — for recognizing my work. ❤️❤️❤️ by @stephatespunk

My birthday is 2 weeks from today & I’ve been reflecting. I’m currently the age my mom was when I was 15 years old. This is me at 15 and 16 during the era of MySpace ❤️ by @stephatespunk

An overview of my LA fires story, which recently won 1st place at the SoCal Journalism Awards, with background meowing by @catria323’s cat Odie by @stephatespunk

We are so cute!!!!!!! 😍 by @stephatespunk

So great to see my little sister @stephatespunk up on stage again last night 🤩 But the coolest part was seeing the community come out to honor her friend Chris on his birthday. by @stephatespunk

I won 1st place last night at the SoCal Journalism Awards for the ABC News story I wrote in 2025 on the impact of the LA fires on domestic workers ⭐️🏆

I was NOT expecting this win last night… it was a nice and much needed surprise 😭❤️ by @stephatespunk