When we initially solicited submissions for “Ask Cory Kennedy,” we got a few e-mails saying it was a stupid idea, and that it was clear we were doing it for web traffic (we were). Some said we were desperate for hits (we aren’t). One person compared it to Nylon Magazine putting Cory on the cover, an obvious ploy to move copies off the stands. Of course we’re aiming to increase web traffic by including a fan questionnaire; she’s a young celebrity who is particularly well-known in the digital world. But that is what every single thing we publish aims to do. This is no secret. This is the point.

We always aim to increase web traffic, get hits, make new readers and entertain existing ones. That’s the entire drive behind almost any non-personal web magazine, blog, etc. And even if Nylon did put Cory on the cover to sell more issues instead of putting up an overtly “positive role model,” …isn’t that what a magazine cover is for? Rolling Stone doesn’t put Usher on the cover because they think he’s got great views on the future of social security. They put him on the cover to sell copies of Rolling Stone to people who want to buy it.

So we put up a feature on Cory Kennedy, an individual we personally have no problem with. While we don’t know whether we’d call her a positive role model, we definitely don’t believe she is a negative role model. We’re not really sure her personal life has anything to do with her public persona as a fashion icon at all, much less that it matters in any earth-shattering way to any of the people who read our site. Cory Kennedy is someone that people in New York nightlife – our main demographic, not twelve year old girls in the Midwest – obviously have some interest in.*

That said (albeit long-windedly, sorry)… here are your questions, answered by Cory.

What are your favorite places to go in New York? –Josh
Club Chrissie, a.k.a. my friend Chrissie’s apartment. I always like to kick back there. I love New York flea markets, they are my favorite. And I don’t know why, but San Loco. I always eat there. I think it’s because it’s cheap and I hate spending money on food. As for bars or clubs, I’m not so keen on [them] really, but I’ll end up going if my friends want to go or there’s a birthday or something.

Do you prefer New York or LA? Why? –Sarah
New York, because the energy, culture, people, transportation, museums, the city itself… the things to do are endless. No one should ever be bored in New York.

Are there any designers that you would wear anything they made, no matter what it was? –Melinda
No, haha. If I really ain’t feelin’ it, no way.

What is one thing you would advise all girls to own? –Cat
Probably a small pearl necklace.

Do you consider yourself a celebrity? –Eric
I don’t know; I definitely don’t feel like one. I feel like the same old Cory that I always was.

Brown Bunny or Buffalo 66? –Thom
Brown Bunny.

You can ignore when people write mean things about you, but how do you deal with haters who say shit to you in public? –Trina
People don’t say it to me in public. They’re usually the ones sucking up to me.

Who is your favorite photographer? –Cyn
Steven Meisel, Jeff Olson, Guy Aroch, and Cass Bird.

Do you like to talk about fashion or does it get boring? –Diana
Love it.

What’s a good piece of advice you’ve received and who said it to you? –Bree
What I’ve been trying to follow is something Marvin Jarrett said to me, which was “let go and let God.” I just really need to focus on all the good things happening, instead of dwelling on one negative thing.

On the web: Cory Kennedy

*Though, some of the gay boys who comment around these parts may count as twelve year old girls, so you may have us there.