There’s something about fall in New York that just…hits. The crisp, not-too-hot-not-too-cold air, the golden-hour glow bouncing off brownstones. It’s a vibe. 

Which made it the perfect setting for linking up with our cover star, Jazzy Guerra, who met us after school one day in Bushwick to show us around. We hit her go-to bodegas (she’s a Cheetos girlie—instant respect), got ice cream from the famous Mister Softee truck (vanilla cone, classic), and walked by murals and street corners that hold memories of where she grew up and the community that shaped her.

If you don’t already know her, Jazzy’s the force behind Jazzys World TV, the YouTube channel she launched at just nine years old. Back in the early days, Jazzy and her dad would show up outside morning shows and sports arenas, waiting hours for the chance to ask one question. No crew. No fancy gear. Just a karaoke mic, an iPad, and a kid who believed people’s stories were worth telling.

She’s 15 now, with a reach of over 4M across all platforms, and has already interviewed some of the biggest names on the planet. Rihanna. Cardi B. PinkPantheress. Even presidents! 

But what sets Jazzy apart isn’t just that she started young. It’s that she never stopped showing up as herself. She has this way of making people relax. She’s not chasing viral moments. She’s listening. She’s curious. She gets people to open up. She blends her own perspective into her work, spotlighting parts of her Panamanian culture and heritage that mean the most to her. That authenticity is her magic, and it’s exactly the kind of journalism our generation is craving. 

Keep scrolling for our convo with Jazzy, where she spills on her love of storytelling, whether she ever gets starstruck, and her best advice for anyone who thinks they’re “too young” to start doing what they love.

Do you remember what first got you into storytelling? Like, was there a moment or someone who really sparked it for you?

I’ve always been a curious kid, and I’ve always loved the idea of forming a connection with people through storytelling and understanding what they’ve been through. It wasn’t one specific person that sparked it—I’d say there were multiple people in my life, like my family, who inspired me. But of course my grandmother stands out. When I lived in Panama with her, she would tell me stories about her life there and about the things we did together. I always loved listening to her stories.

You’ve interviewed some seriously big names. Has there been one convo that’s stuck with you? 

I’ve had a lot of great conversations with some big names, but one that really stands out was with Shaquille O’Neal. He was teaching me about money management skills and the importance of paying taxes, and during that interview, he gifted me a little over four hundred dollars—wow. Later on, maybe about a year after that, he also gifted me cameras to use for my career. That was honestly the best moment ever, and I really enjoyed it. That’s Uncle Shaq right there.

And do you ever get starstruck?! 

All the time. All the time. The first time I met Shaquille O 'Neal, Jay-Z, Rihanna. Oh, my gosh, I was so nervous for Rihanna.

How do you feel like your Panamanian roots shape the way you see things, both as a journalist and just as a young woman in media?

My heritage allows me to be more open-minded with other cultures. Growing up and being from diverse places such as Panama and Brooklyn helps me understand others better when it comes to their heritage. It’s really about allowing people to be seen and recognized That’s something I always love to highlight, and it’s also what I try to do with my channel: making sure my interviewees are seen, especially when it comes to culture.

What’s your vibe outside of work? Like when you’re just hanging out with friends or doing the stuff you love?

When I'm not interviewing, I'm usually relaxing. You know, I do my chores. I have to take care of my dog, Pablo. Sometimes I hang out with my friends, go to their birthday parties and whatnot, and just go to school like a regular kid. So it's kind of like day-to-day things.

I don't really watch TV a lot, but recently I’ve been watching Stranger Things over and over, since season five is coming out. And Victorious, too, just because it’s nostalgic and I love it. I’ve also been reading When You Were Everything  by Ashley Woodfolk. Oh my gosh, I love that book. I’ve reread it like three times.

What would you say to teens who want to start something but feel like they’re too young to pull it off?

You're never too young to start your career. I mean, I did it at nine years old, so I feel like if I can do it, you can do it. And don't take no for an answer.

If you look ahead a little, what’s one dream you’d love to chase, whether it’s in journalism or something totally random outside of it?

I have a lot of goals for myself for the future. Outside of journalism, I would love to tap into different industries—like acting, modeling, just being able to do everything—because those are things I’m really interested in, too. But journalism-wise, I want to have my own show, which is already in progress, so I’m very excited.