Kevin Hayward
She’s the woman celebrities call when they want headlines, damage control, or a full-blown comeback, and if you’ve followed showbiz over the past 30 years, you’ve definitely seen Chrissy Johnston’s work in action. A journalist turned PR powerhouse, former magazine editor, and talent manager, Johnston has carved out a reputation as one of the most connected and results-driven figures in the industry. But unlike the usual behind-the-scenes players, her career started right in the thick of it, chasing stories, landing exclusives, and getting closer to the A-list than most reporters could dream of.
Back in her journalism days, Johnston wasn’t just attending events, she was at the centre of them. As the writer behind a weekly showbiz column for News of the World’s Sunday magazine supplement, at the time the UK’s highest-circulating tabloid, she had a front-row seat to the biggest parties, premieres, and celebrity moments of the era. Week after week, her column delivered insider access, gossip, and exclusive news that reached millions. Alongside this, she also penned celebrity interviews and star-led features for The Sunday People, another major tabloid with a huge readership, as well as numerous other publications. We’re talking Victoria Beckham, Elizabeth Hurley, Demi Moore, Will Smith, Tyrese, Kylie Minogue, Geri Halliwell, and more.
Those weren’t just interviews, they were front-page stories.
That level of access and instinct for what makes a headline didn’t disappear when Johnston moved into PR, it became her biggest advantage. After launching her own company, Intrigue Publications, she quickly established herself as the go-to for bold, high-impact campaigns. One of her most talked-about moments? Negotiating the explosive worldwide exclusive with La Toya Jackson, where she revealed her belief that her brother, Michael Jackson, had been murdered. The story didn’t just make waves, it went global, dominating headlines and sparking massive public conversation at the time.
And that’s very much Johnston’s lane, stories that cut through the noise and get people talking.
It’s not just celebrities she’s worked her magic on, either. When tech startup foxy ai needed visibility, Johnston delivered in a big way, helping the company achieve viral global exposure with billions of hits and positioning it as the number one Al platform on Google. Not bad for a brand most people hadn’t even heard of before.
Then there’s reality TV, where Johnston has quietly become a major player. In fact, she’s booked more talent on Celebrity Big Brother than any other agent or manager in the industry. Let that sink in. In a show known for its headline-making casting, Johnston has been one of the key forces shaping who ends up in the house and, by extension, who dominates the conversation.
And it doesn’t stop there. From Love Island to The Masked Singer and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, her clients consistently land the kinds of TV appearances that turn names into brands and moments into careers.
Her client roster speaks volumes. Over the years, she has worked with names including Jamie Foxx, Farrah Abraham, Jenna Jameson, Victoria Silvstedt, platinum-selling British boyband 911, Coolio, Christine Quinn, Amber Rose, Dorothy Martin of rock group Dorothy, mindset coach Natasha Graziano, cast members from the Real Housewives franchise, and many more.
What makes Johnston different is that she understands both sides of the media machine. She’s been the journalist chasing the story and the strategist creating it. That dual perspective means she doesn’t just pitch, she knows exactly what editors want, what audiences react to, and how to make a story travel.
It’s why her campaigns don’t just land, they stick.
Even now, she continues writing for major publications while managing a global roster of talent and brands through Intrigue Publications, keeping one foot in the newsroom and the other firmly in PR, media, and entertainment.
In an industry where everyone is fighting for attention, Chrissy Johnston isn’t just part of the conversation, she’s often the reason it’s happening in the first place.
[You can follow Chrissy’s PR Agency on Instagram at: @IntriguePublications]
