Annie Zaleski is an award-winning journalist and author based in Cleveland, Ohio. She has contributed to publications such as Rolling Stone, NPRMusic, the Guardian, The A.V. Club, Salon, Billboard and Classic Pop. She's the author of Taylor Swift - The Stories Behind the Songs, a detailed look at the superstar's catalogue; a book on Duran Duran's 'Rio' in the prestigious 33 1/3 book series; the illustrated biographies Lady Gaga: Applause, Pink: Raise Your Glass and Harry Styles: A Sign of the Times; and the music history book This is Christmas, Song by Song. Zaleski has also contributed essays to multiple books, including the NPR-based How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History, along with liner notes to the 2016 reissue of R.E.M.'s Out of Time and the 2023 deluxe edition of Jason Mraz's We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. She was commissioned by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to write induction essays for Duran Duran and George Michael.