The Los Angeles Times organized the first L.A. Affairs Live storytelling competition on April 3, 2026 [1], at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel [2].
The event transitioned the publication's popular romance column from the printed page to a live stage. By creating a physical space for these narratives, the organization sought to explore the complexities of modern dating through shared human experience.
Ten performers [3] participated in the competition, each delivering a personal account of romance and heartbreak. The stories focused on the theme “Starting Fresh,” reflecting a collective effort to find new beginnings in the dating landscape. The venue for the evening was a sold-out show [4], indicating strong public interest in the column's themes.
The competition took place in the heart of Hollywood, Los Angeles [2]. The event served as a bridge between the digital and print readership of the Los Angeles Times and the local community, allowing the audience to engage directly with the storytelling process.
By centering the event on “Starting Fresh,” the organizers highlighted the resilience required to navigate romantic relationships. The format allowed the ten performers [3] to provide a curated yet authentic look at the dating challenges faced by residents of the city. The transition of the column into a live performance format suggests a broader strategy to diversify how the newspaper delivers content to its audience.
“Ten performers shared dating stories on the theme “Starting Fresh.””
The shift of a traditional newspaper column into a live, ticketed event reflects a broader trend in media where legacy publications leverage established intellectual property to create experiential community engagement. By moving from passive reading to active storytelling, the Los Angeles Times is expanding its brand into the live entertainment space.
