East Brunswick Native Makes History As 1st Female Editor-In-Chief Of Rolling Stone

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – East Brunswick native Shirley Halperin created history after being named the first woman editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone magazine.

The veteran music journalist will serve as co-editor-in chief with Sean Woods, the magazine said.

Halperin will step into her new role on Sept. 1 after serving as co-editor in chief of "The Hollywood Reporter."

“I’m very proud — personally and professionally — to help usher in the next era of the world’s most formidable music publication as its first female EIC,” Halperin said on Instagram.

Halperin is a 1990 alum of East Brunswick High School. She majored in history at Rutgers University.

She migrated from Israel with her family and settled in the township. She said her parents chose central New Jersey “for its robust Jewish community.” Another key factor is its proximity to New York City and the blue-ribbon public schools.

“My time at East Brunswick prepared me for real life. The school was probably mostly white back then, but it didn’t feel that way. I had friends of all colors, religions and socio-economic backgrounds — whose photos and life goals I looked forward to perusing in the almighty yearbook,” Halperin wrote in the Jewish Journal last year.

Halperin brings over 20 years of expertise in entertainment and music journalism to her new role. Throughout her career, she has served in senior editorial positions at industry-leading publications including "Variety", "Billboard", "The Hollywood Reporter", and "Los Angeles Magazine."

During her tenure at these publications, Halperin played a key role in developing high-profile industry events, including Variety's Hitmakers celebration and Billboard's signature No.1s franchise series.

Her journalism has been recognized with multiple Los Angeles Press Club awards, and she has authored three books.

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