Originally published in March 2024
Block Club’s Brooklyn-based senior copywriter and content strategist, Isabella Steele, has a creativity that knows no bounds. Whether he’s crafting dynamic content for B2B tech startups, painting his next masterpiece, dreaming up new stage names for movie musicals, or just curating his latest Zoom background, Isa’s knack for colorful storytelling works its way into every project—and we’re all the luckier for it.
In this round of 37 Questions, our humble nod to Vogue’s 73, we get Isa’s thoughts on art, writing, burritos, escaping a zombie apocalypse, and a few dozen other weighty and whimsical topics.
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Where did you pick up your writing talents?
I think I’ve always wanted to move people in some capacity, so writing checked a lot of boxes for me. I was an impassioned kid and an active reader who looked forward to coming home with stacks of books from the library. When adults gave me diaries, I’d turn them into chapter books with a table of contents and illustrations.
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When do you do your best work?
When I’m totally alone or surrounded by people I trust to bring out my creative best.
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If you could only have one piece of writing in your portfolio, what would it be?
A piece I haven’t written yet exploring J.K. Rowling’s transmasculinity. I’d love to dig into the male pseudonyms, the gender dysphoria, and the irony behind Rowling’s efforts to control women and their bodies.
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How else do you express yourself creatively?
I make figurative oil paintings. I’m a huge fan of magical realism, maximalism, Tropicália, Renaissance art, anti-colonial art, and queer art activism.
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Any favorite artists?
Kent Monkman, Firelei Báez, and Homosuperiorr.
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What do you do when you get stuck?
I trick myself by moving—from the desk to the table to the couch. If I’m still stuck, I break to clean, paint, or take a shower. Anything that puts me on autopilot for a little while and helps me get back in touch with my intuition.
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Did you ever consider any other career paths?
When I was little, I REALLY wanted to be an actress. I would sit at my family’s desktop computer after school Googling “how to get discovered for acting” and “acting auditions near me.” I even made my AIM screen name izzy4actress. It’s not what I want my brand to be anymore, but who knows where I’d be if those early search engine results had been fruitful.
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What acting genre do you think would have been your forte?
Oh god, movie musicals. I’d be insufferable.
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What were you up to before joining Block Club?
To set the stage, it was the summer of 2023, and I was coming off a series of art wins. I had just shown work at Art Gaysel: P-Town, a queer art event that takes place during Provincetown Pride. A month prior, my content was featured as part of the DUMBO Improvement District’s plan to beautify pedestrian walkways in and around Brooklyn Bridge Park. I can’t express how exciting it was to see my copy and design included as part of such an iconic neighborhood’s branding strategy.
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Do you have any new art projects lined up?
I’m finishing up a large-scale oil painting titled, “A Painting to Summon Dreams.” It’s the real-life version of one of the pieces featured by DUMBO. I hope to include it in some kind of immersive installation inspired by Firelei Báez’s poetic exhibition “A Drexcyen Chronocommons (To win the war you fought it sideways).”
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What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Hands down, gender transition! It’s wild to have your perspective challenged to that extent—and to sort of get ushered into challenging other people’s perspectives, too.
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Is there anything you’ve always wanted to try?
An environmentally sustainable, multi-day scuba trip. Also surfing lessons—ideally, somewhere warm.
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What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Being with family in Brazil. I feel happy reflecting on time spent eating acarajés in Salvador, attending my family’s annual São João party in São Paulo, and communing with nature along the Rio Preto near Manaus. But, if I had to speak to a singular moment, I’d say falling asleep in my dad’s arms while waiting in line for Space Mountain.
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What’s something you learned recently?
How to leverage crowdfunding to build a community that supports your brand’s vision
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If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Pay attention to when you are internalizing other people’s perceptions of you.
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Who do you look up to?
Eartha Kitt
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What’s on the soundtrack to your life?
“Love Grows” by Edison Lighthouse; “If I Had a Hammer” by Peter, Paul, and Mary; and Abba. Lots of Abba. If you’ve seen “Muriel’s Wedding,” you’ll get the gist. I’m a sucker for camp.
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You’re suddenly thrown onstage for an impromptu talent show. What do you do?
Sing (and lose, most likely). Or I’d get in drag and do a lip sync. Izzy4actress may be dead, but I have a couple of stage names saved up just in case.
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Any choice examples?
Tom of Femmeland, Billy Hole, and George of the Hungle (I know, I’m so sorry). There’s also Sabrina, the Teenage Fish.
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Is there anything you’re especially bad at?
Things I hate the thought of doing—like making lunch or being the subject of attention while dancing.
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What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
A fusion pasta or potato dish cooked by a close friend. Honorable mentions go to Korean barbecue, feijoada, and ceviche.
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What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked?
I love making a pan con tomate breakfast, accompanied by a papaya smoothie, fresh fruit, and salted plantains.
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What are your three desert-island items?
A coconut opener, an art kit, and a book on boat building.
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What’s your first pick in a book club?
Whatever makes me feel most known.
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Do you have any go-to titles or authors you recommend?
I’m exiting my workbook era, so “My Gender Workbook” by Kate Bornstein and “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron come to mind.
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What’s a cause that’s near and dear to your heart?
Reversing the closeting of history, achieving gender equality, immigration reform, reparations, and transgender healthcare access.
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What trait(s) do you most value in others?
I’ll give you six: kindness, creativity, loyalty, perceptivity, openness, and ambition.
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Who would you want with you during a zombie apocalypse?
My butch friends who own a Jeep.
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Which historical era do you wish you could have experienced?
Honestly, I don’t.
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Is there anything you’re looking forward to right now?
A friend recently referred me to a painting competition by the Smithsonian. It’s something I’d like to win someday.
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What does your ideal weekend look like?
Relaxing at the beach with my best friends.
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What would we see in your background during a Zoom call?
A rainforest green wall with Philodendron vines creeping down from my shelf. Maybe a painting. I’m admittedly charmed by virtual backgrounds and seasonal animations.
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What words do you strive to live by?
You can accomplish anything with the ability and desire to learn.
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What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish before this year is over?
To download an app that will teach me coding. Any suggestions?
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None. But what’s the first program you’d want to build?
Some sort of interactive web experience or game. I’m very interested in the concept of worldbuilding.
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What’s one copywriting tip you’d like to pass on to the marketing world?
Copy may be a heavyweight champ, but storytelling fosters connections. Use visual and interactive elements—like quizzes, polls, calculators, and videos—to break up text and better capture diverse audiences across channels and devices.
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Finish this sentence: Isabella Steele is…
adamant that ordering two bean burritos from Taco Bell (no sauce, no onions) and opening a fresh green coconut could be considered religious experiences—if done separately.