Women in Fandom Take Center Stage at San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con is set to host a powerful discussion on how women are shaping and being shaped by fandom. The “Adaptation to Advantage: How Women & Fandom Work Together” panel, presented by Portrait of a Fangirl, will delve into the ways fandom empowers women and fosters inclusive communities.

The “Adaptation to Advantage: How Women & Fandom Work Together” panel

Moderated by Alix Catherine, host of The Welcome Party, the panel boasts an impressive lineup of women who have made their mark in the pop culture and entertainment industries. Jenna Wrenn, host of the Portrait of a Fangirl podcast, will lead the conversation alongside journalist Laura Sirikul, writer/producer Victoria Male, comic creator Kayden Phoenix, and actor/cosplayer Sabeen Faheem. Each panelist brings a unique perspective to the discussion, highlighting the diverse ways women engage with and contribute to fandom. They will share personal stories of how fandom has influenced their careers, relationships, and self-discovery. While also addressing the challenges and triumphs of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities. The “Adaptation to Advantage” panel will take place on Friday, July 26th, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm in Room 32AB of the San Diego Convention Center.

The panel promises to be a celebration of female empowerment, creativity, and resilience. It will explore how women are using fandom to build networks, express themselves, and challenge societal norms. Attendees can expect a lively and thought-provoking conversation that will inspire them to embrace their own fandom journeys.

About the Panelists:

Jenna Wrenn – Host and executive producer of the Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast, Jenna Wrenn is also an entertainment correspondent for Temple of Geek. Additionally, Jenna has interviewed talents such as Felicia Day, Max Brooks, Christopher Paolini,Rachel Smythe, and Ashley Eckstein. Known as @ChaoticGoodJenna on Instagram & TikTok; @jennalynnetta on Twitter.
Laura Sirikul – Laura is a freelance writer, researcher, and managing editor of The Nerds of Color. She has written for Elle Magazine, Variety, Empire Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Timid Magazine, Nerd Reactor, What To Watch, Inverse, Grammy, The Daily Beast, Primetimer, Nerdist, IGN, and Den of Geek. Not to mention her work with NBC News, Movie View Magazine, Red Carpet Report, The Hollywood Reporter, and many other outlets. She has appeared as a critic on NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, BBC World News, and CBC’s Commotion. She is also a member of the Asian American Journalists Association, Critics Choice Association, and Television Critics Association. As well as a GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, and the BTS ARMY. Find her as @lsirik on Instagram; @lsirikul on Twitter & TikTok.
Victoria Male – Victoria is a 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Finalist whose screenwriting also made the 2024 Love List of best unproduced romance scripts in Hollywood. Her prose has been published worldwide in over a dozen literary magazines and she currently writes for the audio platform PocketFM. Furthermore, worked in creative development for Ivan Reitman’s The Montecito Picture Company and at media startup Graphic India. In addition to producing the podcast Your Biggest Fangirl for three years. Find her as @VictoriaMale1 on Instagram; @VictoriaMale on Twitter.
Kayden Phoenix – Kayden is a trailblazing queer Chicana comic creator, writer, and director from Boyle Heights, California, credited with creating the first Latina superhero team in comic book history called A LA BRAVA; featuring latinas of different heritages fighting against social injustices. Kayden’s latest comic, a three-part series of a Chicana vampire gang, Lipstick Cliqa was slated by Sony Music Entertainment. Find her at @LatinaSuperheroes on Instagram & TikTok.
Sabeen Faheem – Sabeen Faheem, known as @thehijabibounder, is an actor and creator. While showcasing her love for fandom, she also celebrates her heritage and culture in her style and fashion. Her mission is to bring more inclusion and accurate representation of South Asians and Muslims in entertainment and marketing. Find her at @TheHijabiBounder on Instagram & TikTok; @HijabiBounder on Twitter.

Portrait of a Fangirl

Portrait of a Fangirl is a multimedia platform highlighting the stories of women empowered by fandom. Originally a web series, the project has expanded into a podcast format to reach a wider audience and amplify the voices of women in pop culture. Each of the panelists have been featured on an episode of Portrait of a Fangirl. You can listen on YouTube or anywhere you stream your podcasts.