Exclusive | Dan Wakeford out as EIC of celeb gossip mag Us Weekly
Dan Wakeford Steps Down as Editor in Chief of Us Weekly
According to a leaked memo obtained by The Post, Dan Wakeford is stepping down as editor in chief of Us Weekly, a popular celebrity gossip magazine.
The former People boss, who is 50 years old, announced his departure from the publication in an email to staffers on Friday. He stated, “After much consideration, I have chosen to leave my position as editor-in-chief of Us Weekly to develop my own creative projects in film and books. My last day will be January 9, 2026.”
Wakeford hinted that he may still contribute to Us Weekly on special projects in 2026, despite stepping down as editor in chief.
Insiders at Us Weekly revealed to The Post that Wakeford’s departure was due to his failure to secure exclusive stories with top Hollywood stars. One source mentioned, “He promised them big people like Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston, but he delivered Sandra Lee and Countess Luann.”
Another source claimed that Wakeford was often working remotely and rarely in the office.
Wakeford’s tenure at Us Weekly follows his brief stint as editor in chief of the Messenger, a media start-up that shut down just nine months after its launch. Despite earning a hefty salary, Wakeford’s leadership did not save the company from closure.
Us Weekly, originally founded as Us in 1977, has changed ownership multiple times over the years. It is currently owned by the McClathy Media Company, which also owns the Miami Herald.
For more information, The Post has reached out to a McClatchy spokesperson for comment.
