Allison Samuels has been a national correspondent since June of 1999 and correspondent with Newsweek's Los Angeles bureau since 1996. An expert at getting entertainment and sports scoops, Samuels was dispatched to the LA bureau to cover the end of the OJ Simpson trial, which is frequently referred to as the trial of the century. This year Samuels released the book "Off The Record,'' (HarperCollins) detailing her interviews with Denzel Washington, Kobe Bryant, Halle Berry, Michael Jordan and Bill Cosby.  Her first book "Christmas Soul" (Jump At the Sun/Disney) was released in 2003.

Samuels was awarded a first place "Deadline Club Award" in 2004 for Newsweek's cover article on Kobe Bryant. That piece also earned the first place features prize from the National Association of Black Journalists the same year. The journalist was also honored with a first place Clarion Award for her profile of actor Denzel Washington in 2003. Samuels also has won numerous New York Association of Black Journalists Awards for stories ranging from profiles of Malcolm X's grandson to Disney's star Raven Symone.

Recently, Samuels was asked by talk show host Oprah Winfrey to travel to South Africa with her to report on her process of choosing girls for her leadership academy.

Samuels joined Newsweek in 1994 as a researcher, and was promoted to reporter in January of 1996. Before joining the magazine, the Georgia native worked for producer Quincy Jones and at the Hollywood super agency CAA. She also was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times.

Samuels graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 1988 with a B.A. in Mass communications. She is a member of the Association of Black Journalists, the Big Sisters of America and a past member of the UCLA Black Studies Department Board of Directors. She is currently a contributing editor at Essence Magazine and an entertainment correspondent for National Public Radio's "News and Notes'' show.

Samuels resides in Los Angeles.