If you’ve followed me for a while, you probably know that the Collision Tech Conference has become a yearly ritual for me. From the early days when it was hosted in New Orleans, to its move to Toronto, and even through the fully virtual editions during the pandemic—I’ve rarely missed it. It’s hands-down one of my favorite conferences, and for good reason.
What sets Collision apart is the sheer range of conversations you can dive into over just three days. Of course, there’s cutting-edge tech and AI, but the talks go far beyond that. You’ll hear about politics, health and wellness, fashion, music, and even industries like cannabis and sexual wellness. It’s a rare place where the worlds of innovation and culture collide (pun intended).
This year, I tuned in from Dubai, which meant adjusting to a completely different time zone. Even so, I carved out space in my schedule to catch some of the speakers I was most excited about. Here are some of the standout moments and lessons that stayed with me:
Natalia Vodianova: Tech Meets Wellbeing
Supermodel turned tech investor Natalia Vodianova has put her support behind about 20 startups. At Collision, she highlighted her latest project, Loona—an app designed to tell immersive stories that help people fall asleep. It was fascinating to see someone from the fashion world pour energy into wellness-focused tech, a reminder of how innovation doesn’t have to be flashy to be transformative.
Shaka King: Storytelling Under Pressure
I was especially drawn to Shaka King, director and co-writer of Judas and the Black Messiah—a film that earned six Oscar nominations. He spoke candidly about the challenges of producing such a significant project during the pandemic. What struck me most was the tension he described: staying true to the story’s historical weight while still meeting Hollywood’s expectations.
He also shared insights into the soundtrack process with Archie Davis of RCA Records. In a particularly memorable anecdote, Shaka revealed that after his first meeting with producers, he sent over an entire WeTransfer folder of songs he envisioned for the film. As someone who loves music, I admired how integrated the soundtrack was into the storytelling from the very beginning.
Paris Hilton: Rethinking Time and the Creator Economy
Yes, Paris Hilton was there too. She spoke about the evolution of the creator economy and how the pandemic shifted her perspective on time. For someone who admitted she had never not traveled before, the sudden stillness of lockdown was eye-opening. She reflected on learning how to optimize her schedule in a way that felt refreshing and surprisingly relatable.
Sophia Amoruso: Building with Intention
Known for founding Nasty Gal and later Girlboss, Sophia Amoruso is now focused on Business Class, a program designed to help founders launch and scale their ventures. When asked about her number-one piece of advice for new entrepreneurs, she was straightforward: “Have a plan, a financial plan. Think of scaling.”
She also spoke about her investment approach—backing businesses she truly believes in—and emphasized the importance of maintaining a nest egg. In other words, ambition is vital, but so is financial safety.
Nicole Kidman: Science Behind CBD Beauty
Yes, even Nicole Kidman took the stage, sharing her journey with Sera Labs, a CBD-based beauty brand she now represents and invests in. Initially skeptical about attaching her name to anything cannabis-related, she became convinced after experiencing the anti-inflammatory benefits herself.
Alongside founder Nancy Duitch, she explained how their products are formulated with nine active ingredients plus CBD, using a delivery method that penetrates deeper layers of the skin instead of clogging pores. It was an interesting glimpse into how science and celebrity influence often intersect in the beauty industry.
Cindy Crawford: Social Media Before Social Media
Cindy Crawford’s talk was one of my favorites. She reflected on what it was like to build a celebrity brand before the age of influencers and Instagram. She acknowledged that while social media has given her the ability to act as her own publicist, it’s also undeniably a lot of work.
Her takeaways were refreshingly grounded:
- You can’t please everyone—so focus on making yourself happy.
- Approach everything like a student, because there’s always something to learn.
- The pandemic taught us how much time we waste, and how powerful it is to slow down.
I loved how she described the evolution of image-sharing: in her day, you’d take 100 photos and only one would ever see the light of day. There was more freedom then, but less dimension. Today, content is constant, curated, and often carefully strategized. Even for a supermodel, social media isn’t effortless—it’s part of the job.
Why Collision Matters
What I love about Collision is how it blurs boundaries. One moment, you’re hearing from a tech founder, the next from a Hollywood director, a supermodel, or a global celebrity. It’s a space that recognizes how innovation touches every industry—from the way we sleep, to how we tell stories, to how we care for our skin.
The diversity of speakers and perspectives is what makes this conference stand out. It’s not just about the latest app or gadget—it’s about culture, creativity, and the human experience in a rapidly changing world.
So thank you, Collision, for another year of insight and inspiration. I’ll see you in Toronto next year—timezone juggling and all.
