Michael Hainey is the author of the New York Times best-selling memoir, After Visiting Friends, and a highly-respected journalist, editor, and commentator. He began his career as a reporter and writer for Spy magazine and for nearly two decades was the Deputy Editor of GQ magazine where he was instrumental in guiding the publication to sixty-four National Magazine Award nominations, and wins for General Excellence as well as feature writing, reporting, and criticism. At the same time, he was the Editorial Director of GQ.com. Afterward, he was Executive Director of Editorial at Esquire magazine, before becoming a member of the launch team of the digital weekly Air Mail, where he has served as a Deputy Editor and a Writer-at-Large.
Hainey is widely recognized for his singular profiles of cultural icons, and the uniquely revealing conversations he has created with his numerous subjects, from Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, to Bruce Springsteen and Clint Eastwood. His writing has been published in The Wall Street Journal, WSJ Magazine, Esquire, GQ, The New York Times Book Review, The New Yorker, Architectural Digest, Wired, and many other publications. His poetry has appeared in Tin House, A Magazine Curated By, and Bald Ego. His paintings were the subject of a one-man show presented by the fashion designer Thom Browne.
Hainey has been a frequent contributor to “Morning Joe,” and been featured on “The Today Show,” NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” as well as CNN and FOX. He is the co-host and co-creator of the popular podcast, “The Morning Meeting” and is also the creator and co-host of “GQ Rules,” the influential style series.
Born in Chicago, Hainey lives in Manhattan with his wife, Brooke.