Stephanie Lewis is on The Desert Sun's list of the Coachella Valley's Top Content Creators of 2026. To see the full list, click here.
People say they love Palm Springs, but longtime resident Stephanie Lewis might just love it a bit more than the rest.
As the person behind the Instagram account Palm Springs Hello, Lewis is all about the glitz, glam and fun happenings around town. She frequently spotlights events and performers in the Palm Springs area, and captures all the action with her trusty "Palm Springs Hello"-branded LED light. Whether it's a drag brunch or shouting out a business among her 10,000-plus followers, Lewis' mission is to support the community she's called home for nearly a decade.
"For the longest time, if you looked at my page,
you would have never identified me if I was standing behind you in the grocery store because it really wasn't about me," Lewis told The Desert Sun. "I've only recently started putting my face on because people were like, it's the connection, if I know it's you, then they're more engaged. But it's all about highlighting and spotlighting."
Lewis is one of five winners for the Coachella Valley's Top Content Creators of 2026. Take a look at The Desert Sun's conversation with her below.
(These quotes have been edited for length and clarity.)
How does it feel to be a top content creator?
Stephanie Lewis: I did not expect it. You work for it, but ... I was definitely surprised.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
SL: I'm the director of rehab for a local hospital system. I am a speech pathologist by trade, and that job can be pretty serious. I have always loved photography and videography, and so as a way to enjoy the area and take a break from the seriousness of work, I started going around and taking pictures. As I was going around and taking pictures, I was meeting business owners or other visitors of the area and telling people how wonderful Palm Springs is. I thought, I could do that on Instagram, so that's how I started.
When did Palm Springs Hello start?
SL: I believe it was 2024. The Public Arts Commission was painting the electrical boxes and my son was 4 years old. It was a way to get him out of the house. I'd say, 'let's go take pictures by all the electrical boxes.' My goal was to try to get him in front of all of them. There are too many, so we stopped doing that, but then I'd find murals or the graffiti park or there'd be an event going on and I would take him out and take photos.
During the summers, when I first got here in 2017, if you drove downtown, there was sign after sign after sign, closed for summer, out of business, see you in October. Then, all of a sudden, there's this interesting thing that happened during the pandemic where more people were staying here, and so they wanted to stay open, but they were struggling to get people in their doors. I wanted to get out of the house, and so I would go down and I could actually meet the proprietor. I could use that as my page, I'd be downtown and I'd say, 'Hey, go to Crystal Fantasy, they've got a special going on right now.' Then I would go to the next place or I would go out to eat, 'Hey this place has an awesome takeout situation, go support them.'
Your page mainly spotlights events, performers and businesses in town. How has it evolved over the years?
SL: I went from a lot of photography to then doing videography. Editing is a pain, it's a labor of love, but heavy on the labor. I am from the MTV generation. Filming drag performers has become a big love of mine because I'm trying to make video, I'm trying to recreate my youth, making that VH1 video. I like the texture and the layering — I love a good fade in and fade out. I don't want it to be a PowerPoint, but I love the idea of telling a story.
Who are your favorite drag performers?
SL: Rosemary Galore was the first queen I ever photographed and filmed, so I have a very strong affection and appreciation for her. If I'm not doing something with Rosemary, I'm at Boozehounds or Oscars or one eleven bar.
You've lived in Palm Springs for nearly a decade, but have you learned more about the area with your page?
SL: Oh 100%. Every summer, at first it was my Fear Of Missing Out summer and I would try to specifically highlight places that I hadn't been to. I've been here for so long, a lot of us have lived here for so long, but we always go to the same places. So in the summer, I challenge myself to go to places that are new to me. I make a bingo board, because I'm a therapist and everything must be measurable, observable and time-based. It doesn't have to be restaurants. It's an event that happens every summer and I try to make sure that I go to it. It's a museum that I always put off because it's not a glamorous thing to do. Maybe it's a tour that you only think to do when you have company. I took myself to the spa last year because I wanted to experience what people were talking about, and I thought, I'll treat myself. I'm still a tourist in town.
What was on this year's bingo card?
SL: I enjoyed Kaleidoscope Desert. It's an animal sanctuary in Morongo Valley, so they have ostrich, zebra, lots of horses, all rescued animals. It doubles as an Airbnb so you can go and stay. You can be greeted in the morning by a zebra. Mijo Candles in Indio, they're at The Place. I went and made candles. Another one that I really enjoyed was Los Angeleaves. There's a guy who was living out in LA and kind of discovered that he likes plants, and so he has a whole place in Flannery Exchange and he'll sell plants to you and he'll also help you rehabilitate plants if you need help.
What are your favorite places in Palm Springs to eat, drink, socialize, etc?
SL: One of the first videos I made was all about where to find a good margarita. Sometimes there are these obvious places, but I like to go to the not-so-obvious places. So like Shanghai Reds Bar & Grill is a great place to eat and get a good margarita. I absolutely love Freddies Kitchen at the Cole. Really wonderful place, and Freddy himself will come out and give you a bad time or entertain you. My son loves John's Restaurant.
What comes next for you?
SL: I'd like to do more personal interviews. I think business owners would be a good idea. I also think that there are a lot of performers who come into town who would do better to make a personal connection and I would love to be their pathway to making that personal connection.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com, on X @ema_sasic or on Instagram @emasasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: See why this Palm Springs therapist moonlights as a content creator
