It’s no plot twist that writers demonstrate an incomparable command of language. But can they spell on demand? Well, a group of creative minds who pen the novels on our bedside tables, deliver jokes that send us into fits of giggles, and immortalize phrases we memorize forevermore all went back to basics on Tuesday evening at the inaugural Substack Spelling Bee in Los Angeles hosted by writer, actress, and director Cazzie David, who told Vogue she revels in “bringing people together with a shared activity.”
Words have certainly been on the brain for David, who’s celebrating both the launch of her Substack newsletter and the publication of her second essay collection, Delusions: Of Grandeur, of Romance, of Progress. And not just those from the warm-up round, which included “bidet,” “clavicle,” and “moisturizer”—the latter being a natural choice for comedian Jacqueline Novak, co-host of the skincare-referencing podcast POOG.
At the podium, wearing a polka dot mini dress by Rebecca Vallance, David assured the audience that the night was indeed “about winning.” Joining her and Novak, with giant name IDs hung around their necks, were participants Nicole Ritchie, stylist Jamie Mizrahi, authors Jedidiah Jenkins and Brontez Purnell, Vogue alum Karley Sciortino, podcaster Jason Stewart, and comedians Alex Edelman and Drew Tarver.
Matt Starr, Substack’s lead of creative strategy and events, is someone who admittedly “watched hours of Scripps National Spelling Bees” during elementary school—making him a dab-hand when it came time to organizing this spectacle and capturing the childhood nostalgia of it all. The choice of venue, the historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater, was also pitch perfect. The famed scarlet-hued auditorium is located in Highland Park, a neighborhood fueling headlines lately not because of trendy developments, but because of its institutions. ICYMI: Kristen Stewart has saved the century-old Highland Theatre, and Bad Bunny spotlighted Villa’s Tacos during his Super Bowl Halftime set.
The comforting and intimate space made for the ideal backdrop for David’s charm, silliness, and innate ability to make a reader—or rather, audience member—feel seen and heard. During the lively contest, audience participation was encouraged, with guests eagerly taking the mic in moments of a speller’s need. As Nicole Richie correctly, and confidently, articulated “neurodivergent,” the room went wild, as attendees waved their lollipops in the air to cheer her on. Earlier in the evening, Richie had told Vogue that she was hoping for “cat” to come up—and while she didn’t get that particular wish, she breezed through several of the themed rounds. (David even challenged Ritchie with “Steve Buscemi” in a distinctly Hollywood moment.)
Photo by: Paris Mumpower
Alas, the deeper cuts of the Celebrity and City rounds proved to be difficult for many contestants, and by the time the evening reached the Brands category, it was down to three hopefuls: Edelman, Jenkins, and Stewart. David remained encouraging, but stumped Jenkins and Stewart with “Bulgari” and “Louboutin.” Ultimately, it was Edelman with his careful answer for “L-A-M-B-O-R-G-H-I-N-I” that secured the first place trophy, a gold medal, and the complete works of Shakespeare.
As the contestants hugged it out and congratulated each other, a sentiment made earlier by David came to mind. In regards to the permanency of publishing her musings, David had said: “I hope that this book [Delusions] is slightly more evolved.” Spoken like a true writer, who accepts that the learning never stops.