Alabama native Kaitlan Collins named to Vanity Fair’s New Establishment 2026
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Kaitlan Collins continues her rise as a household name, most recently being recognized by Vanity Fair.
The University of Alabama graduate and Prattville native has climbed through the ranks at CNN and is now hosting her own show on the network called “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” which airs each weeknight at 8PM.
This week, she was named to Vanity Fair’s New Establishment for 2026, coming in at No. 34 on the list of 50 people who “define the moment.”
“As such, this year’s entrants hail from across industries and disciplines, from Silicon Valley to DC. The most powerful people here are also some of the most controversial, who promise to conjure both boundless wealth and economic upheaval. No matter your point of view, this list should inspire complicated feelings. From certain angles, it may spark optimism; from others, trepidation and perhaps even horror. Well, such are the times in which we live. Meet the new New Establishment.”
Vanity Fair
Keep reading to see why Kaitlan Collins made the cut.
Kaitlan Collins making moves in Washington D.C.
Collins was a 2014 graduate of the University of Alabama, earning a degree in journalism and political science. That path quickly took her to Washington D.C. where she worked for the Daily Caller before starting her career with CNN.
She began to cover the White House full time in 2017. In 2020, she became CNN’s youngest ever Chief White House Correspondent.
Last year, she received an award from the White House Correspondents’ Association for Excellence in Presidential News Coverage under Deadline Pressure.
Despite just being 34, Collins is used to being named to these national lists. Previous recognitions have included:
- Forbes 30 Under 30 (2019)
- Time’s 100 Next (2024)
- Mediaite’s Most Influential in News Media (2025)
And even with all the work going on in the nation’s capital, Collins will still often talk about her ties to the state of Alabama, specifically her love for the Crimson Tide.
