Leigh Cuen was born with strong opinions and, unfortunately, vocal cords.
She grew up to become a poet, journalist and music editor at The Tennessean, a career choice that baffles the neighbors who suffer whenever she belts out Broadway show tunes while showering. Small animals flee and children weep at the sound of her singing along to Beyoncé, and she can’t play even one instrument.
Luckily, in Tennessee, there are all types of music fans and she can enjoy songs from the bleachers rather than the stage. Leigh passionately believes that music is one of the most powerful political and artistic forces shaping civilization.
Her actual writing, mercifully silent, has been published by Forbes, TechCrunch, Vice, The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, World Literature Today, Southern Review of Books, Al Jazeera, The Jerusalem Post, Playboy, The Poetry Lighthouse, Business Insider and many other publications. She co-founded the Association of Cryptocurrency Journalists and Researchers and became one of the first accredited journalists covering digital currencies at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
She was awarded a Human Rights Foundation grant in 2022 for her research exploring humanitarian movements. In 2025, she won The NOMAD Review’s best nonfiction essay contest for her piece about motherhood titled “Wild Horses.” In addition to being the mother of a toddler-shaped menace, she is also a career coach who got her library services certificate for the state of Tennessee because she loves contributing to adult education and career development initiatives. Her dog, Lucy, remains in desperate need of therapy and ear protection.
Q: What drew you to Music City when your background is in covering technology and politics?
A: I’ve been living here full time for a few years now and love it. I’ve worked in Jerusalem, San Francisco, and New York City, plus reported from Toronto, Amsterdam, Osaka and London, yet I don’t think there’s any city undergoing a more exciting renaissance than Nashville. There’s a unique culture and history here, with diverse, longstanding communities, coupled with an explosive boom bringing in waves of artists and entrepreneurs. My family has been here for more than a decade and I now feel lucky to call it home. The music industry, in particular, is being completely reshaped by emerging tech, like AI, yet retains a dedication to craftsmanship and human connection that makes Nashville so legendary. I’m honored to put down roots and lead the music team here.
Q: What music are you listening to these days?
A: Taylor Swift is the reason the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, so I’m listening to “Opalite” on repeat. I’ve also been enjoying Megan Moroney’s “Cloud 9,” Shaboozey’s “Last of My Kind,” and Ashley Cooke’s “The Hell You Are” lately. I’m a fan of Middle Eastern music, so I turn up “The Scottish Egyptian” by the Ayoub sisters for a classical vibe and Tair Haim’s “Kulana” when I want to shake my hips. In any genre, I’m a sucker for a feisty violin solo.
Q: How do you plan to lead the music team?
A: We’ve already got such talented reporters that my main role is connecting Nashville communities to beautiful writing and experiences. Our coverage will help people who want to build careers in the music industry or find hidden gems in their own hometown, uncover up-and-coming artists while also celebrating the rich legacy of music icons in Nashville. I love hearing ideas from colleagues and subscribers. Reach out and let me know if you have any tips or ideas!
Leigh Cuen can be reached at lcuen@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meet journalist Leigh Cuen, Tennessean’s new music editor