01of 11Florence PughDaniele Venturelli/WireImageActress, 27Breakout MomentConveying the horror of a breakup in 2019’s terrifyingMidsommar.Blazing a TrailTheLittle WomenOscar nominee is not only a capital-Sstar in the traditional sense (her Claudette Colbert looks)andthe antiestablishment sense (her surprising film choices), she also has keen insight into filmmaking. As her ex-boyfriend andA Good Persondirector Zach Braff toldPeople, “She would ask questions that would make me brainstorm more.”Pugh is also a must-follow on social media, treating followers to high fashion and outspoken commentary alike. Responding to those who criticized how her body appeared in a see-through pink gown last year (right), Pugh wrote, “Grow up. Respect people. Respect bodies. Respect all women.”Her ImpactPugh made clapping back (and wearing pink) cool.
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Florence Pugh
Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Actress, 27
Breakout MomentConveying the horror of a breakup in 2019’s terrifyingMidsommar.
Blazing a TrailTheLittle WomenOscar nominee is not only a capital-Sstar in the traditional sense (her Claudette Colbert looks)andthe antiestablishment sense (her surprising film choices), she also has keen insight into filmmaking. As her ex-boyfriend andA Good Persondirector Zach Braff toldPeople, “She would ask questions that would make me brainstorm more.”Pugh is also a must-follow on social media, treating followers to high fashion and outspoken commentary alike. Responding to those who criticized how her body appeared in a see-through pink gown last year (right), Pugh wrote, “Grow up. Respect people. Respect bodies. Respect all women.”
Her ImpactPugh made clapping back (and wearing pink) cool.
02of 11Lil Nas XCharlotte RutherfordRapper-Singer, 24Breakout Moment“Old Town Road,” his 2019 hit with Billy Ray Cyrus that brought country rap to the mainstream.Blazing a TrailSince “Road”—which spent 19 weeks at the top of the charts—Lil Nas X (real name: Montero Lamar Hill) has steadily released a stream of certifiable bops, all while burning down red carpets with hisjaw-dropping looks. But what has really set him apart from the crowd is how he successfully harnessed thepower of social media to pave a new path to stardom: His viral moments include a “pregnancy” announcement ahead of the “birth” of his albumMonteroin 2021 and his look at the 2023 Met Gala in May, where he covered himself in crystals and silver paint.His ImpactSinger Blanco Brown has said that “Old Town Road” paved the way for him to release his 2019 country trap song “The Git Up,” which inspired a viral dance on TikTok.
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Lil Nas X
Charlotte Rutherford
Rapper-Singer, 24
Breakout Moment“Old Town Road,” his 2019 hit with Billy Ray Cyrus that brought country rap to the mainstream.
Blazing a TrailSince “Road”—which spent 19 weeks at the top of the charts—Lil Nas X (real name: Montero Lamar Hill) has steadily released a stream of certifiable bops, all while burning down red carpets with hisjaw-dropping looks. But what has really set him apart from the crowd is how he successfully harnessed thepower of social media to pave a new path to stardom: His viral moments include a “pregnancy” announcement ahead of the “birth” of his albumMonteroin 2021 and his look at the 2023 Met Gala in May, where he covered himself in crystals and silver paint.
His ImpactSinger Blanco Brown has said that “Old Town Road” paved the way for him to release his 2019 country trap song “The Git Up,” which inspired a viral dance on TikTok.
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Timothée Chalamet
Andreas Rentz/Getty
Actor, 27
His ImpactThrough his fashion and movie choices, Chalamet—who has 18 million Instagram followers—is redefining masculinity. As the New York native, next up inDune: Part Two, recently said, “There isn’t a specific notion, or jean size, or muscle shirt, or affectation, or eyebrow raise, or dissolution, or drug use that you have to take part in to be masculine.”
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Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber.Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Model-Actress, 21
Breakout MomentOpening Chanel’s spring runway show in 2017.
05of 11Hunter SchaferCeleste Sloman/The New York TimesActress, 24Breakout MomentPlaying free-spirited trans high schooler Jules onEuphoria, which debuted in 2019.Blazing a TrailSchafer serves as a touchstone for the trans community on the Emmy-winning HBO drama. “It’s magic when you haven’t seen someone like you on the screen your whole life, and then all of a sudden, there it is,” Schafer has said. The actress uses her platform to support the LGBTQ+ community: She worked to repeal North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which barred people from using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. The star has also appeared on the covers ofAllure,ElleandHarper’s Bazaar—but truly solidified her fashion trailblazer title when she wore a single white feather as a top to the 2023Vanity FairOscar Party.Her ImpactSchafer doesn’t feel the need to label her sexuality, tweeting in 2021 that she considers herself “bi or pan or something.” She encourages trans teens to simply “stand firm in what you believe in.”
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Hunter Schafer
Celeste Sloman/The New York Times
Actress, 24
Breakout MomentPlaying free-spirited trans high schooler Jules onEuphoria, which debuted in 2019.
Blazing a TrailSchafer serves as a touchstone for the trans community on the Emmy-winning HBO drama. “It’s magic when you haven’t seen someone like you on the screen your whole life, and then all of a sudden, there it is,” Schafer has said. The actress uses her platform to support the LGBTQ+ community: She worked to repeal North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which barred people from using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. The star has also appeared on the covers ofAllure,ElleandHarper’s Bazaar—but truly solidified her fashion trailblazer title when she wore a single white feather as a top to the 2023Vanity FairOscar Party.
Her ImpactSchafer doesn’t feel the need to label her sexuality, tweeting in 2021 that she considers herself “bi or pan or something.” She encourages trans teens to simply “stand firm in what you believe in.”
06of 11Tom Holland and ZendayaZendaya/InstagramActor, 27, and Actress, 26Breakout MomentSteaming up the screen as Peter Parker and MJ Watson in 2017’sSpider-Man: Homecoming.Blazing a TrailThey began as costars, grew to be friends and blossomed into lovers. But before Holland and Zendaya went Instagram official, their millions of fans were deeply invested in the are-they-or-aren’t-they aspect of their relationship, anointing them with their own hashtag, #tomdaya. Yes, they post occasional sweet messages on social media, but for the most part the Brit heartthrob and theEuphoriaactress keep a low profile in this age of overexposure. As Zendaya has said, “Loving someone is a sacred thing.”Their ImpactModeling a delightful, relatively Old Hollywood way of dating to their fans and industry peers.
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Tom Holland and Zendaya
Zendaya/Instagram
Actor, 27, and Actress, 26
Breakout MomentSteaming up the screen as Peter Parker and MJ Watson in 2017’sSpider-Man: Homecoming.
Blazing a TrailThey began as costars, grew to be friends and blossomed into lovers. But before Holland and Zendaya went Instagram official, their millions of fans were deeply invested in the are-they-or-aren’t-they aspect of their relationship, anointing them with their own hashtag, #tomdaya. Yes, they post occasional sweet messages on social media, but for the most part the Brit heartthrob and theEuphoriaactress keep a low profile in this age of overexposure. As Zendaya has said, “Loving someone is a sacred thing.”
Their ImpactModeling a delightful, relatively Old Hollywood way of dating to their fans and industry peers.
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Conan Gray
Simone Niamani Thompson/The New York Times
Singer, 24
Breakout MomentHis gentle, soulful song “Idle Town” in 2018.
His ImpactGray now has more than 12 billion total music streams and 5 million YouTube subscribers—with many thanking him for making them feel seen.
08of 11Ice SpiceLester Cohen/GettyRapper, 23Breakout MomentShe was a surprise guest on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in May.Blazing a TrailBorn Isis Gaston in the Bronx, the self-described “nonchalant” and “girlie” artist with a penchant for callbacks toSpongeBob SquarePantshas become music’s latest It girl—before she’s even released a debut album. She rose to fame with her viral smash “Munch (Feelin’ U),” which broke through after Drake played it on his SiriusXM station. This year she did collabs with Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift—the latter of which, “Karma,” earned her the biggest streaming debut for a female rapper in Spotify history.Her ImpactHer music has been used in more than 5 million videos on TikTok. “She is THE ONE to watch,” Swift recently said.
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Ice Spice
Lester Cohen/Getty
Rapper, 23
Breakout MomentShe was a surprise guest on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in May.
Blazing a TrailBorn Isis Gaston in the Bronx, the self-described “nonchalant” and “girlie” artist with a penchant for callbacks toSpongeBob SquarePantshas become music’s latest It girl—before she’s even released a debut album. She rose to fame with her viral smash “Munch (Feelin’ U),” which broke through after Drake played it on his SiriusXM station. This year she did collabs with Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift—the latter of which, “Karma,” earned her the biggest streaming debut for a female rapper in Spotify history.Her ImpactHer music has been used in more than 5 million videos on TikTok. “She is THE ONE to watch,” Swift recently said.
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Jack Harlow
Arturo Holmes/MG21/Getty
Rapper, 25
Breakout MomentHis smooth 2020 debut, “Whats Poppin,” has more than 700 million streams on Spotify.
His ImpactHe released an early clip of his soon-to-be hit “First Class” on TikTok in 2022, which gave him a foundation to skyrocket to No. 1 once more. And he created a release template—launch songs on TikTok, allow creators to use them in videos to generate buzz—that is now used industry-wide.
10of 11Bronny JamesGregory Payan/apAthlete, 18Breakout MomentHis (nationally televised) 2019 varsity debut.Blazing a TrailA legendary bloodline and eye-popping skills make Bronny a can’t-miss future superstar. By age 11, he had offers from powerhouse college programs like Duke and Kentucky. In May the high school senior announced he would play at USC (likely for one season) before turning pro. Adding to the frenzy: his father’s intention to join the team that drafts him. “My last year will be played with my son,” the 38-year-old Lakers forward told The Athletic last year.His ImpactWith massive social media reach, an endorsement deal with Nike and an estimated net worth of $10 million, Bronny is the hottest young commodity in sports—the rightful heir to King James’s throne.
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Bronny James
Gregory Payan/ap
Athlete, 18
Breakout MomentHis (nationally televised) 2019 varsity debut.
Blazing a TrailA legendary bloodline and eye-popping skills make Bronny a can’t-miss future superstar. By age 11, he had offers from powerhouse college programs like Duke and Kentucky. In May the high school senior announced he would play at USC (likely for one season) before turning pro. Adding to the frenzy: his father’s intention to join the team that drafts him. “My last year will be played with my son,” the 38-year-old Lakers forward told The Athletic last year.
His ImpactWith massive social media reach, an endorsement deal with Nike and an estimated net worth of $10 million, Bronny is the hottest young commodity in sports—the rightful heir to King James’s throne.
11of 11Jenna OrtegaYvonne Tnt/BFA.com/ShutterstockActress, 20Breakout MomentPlaying the titular character on theAddams FamilyspinoffWednesday.Blazing a TrailOrtega’s quirky-yet-confident sardonic nature was amplified exponentially on Netflix’s hit comedy. (Ortega gained 26 million Instagram followers after its debut.) “People have been telling me I look like [Wednesday] since I was 6 years old,” the actress toldPeople. The series smashed major streaming records and became Netflix’s second-most-watched show in history. She’s also cementing her status as a modern-day scream queen through horror film roles inX, Insidious: Chapter TwoandScream VI.Her ImpactOrtega is passionate about calling out misconceptions about her generation being “unintelligent,” saying onHot Ones, “I wish that we were given a bit more credit.” She’s also made strides for Latin representation in Hollywood: “I do want to open the doors for as many Latin people as possible,” she toldDeadline. “Because we’re a beautiful community, and we should be celebrated.”
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Jenna Ortega
Yvonne Tnt/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Actress, 20
Breakout MomentPlaying the titular character on theAddams FamilyspinoffWednesday.
Blazing a TrailOrtega’s quirky-yet-confident sardonic nature was amplified exponentially on Netflix’s hit comedy. (Ortega gained 26 million Instagram followers after its debut.) “People have been telling me I look like [Wednesday] since I was 6 years old,” the actress toldPeople. The series smashed major streaming records and became Netflix’s second-most-watched show in history. She’s also cementing her status as a modern-day scream queen through horror film roles inX, Insidious: Chapter TwoandScream VI.
Her ImpactOrtega is passionate about calling out misconceptions about her generation being “unintelligent,” saying onHot Ones, “I wish that we were given a bit more credit.” She’s also made strides for Latin representation in Hollywood: “I do want to open the doors for as many Latin people as possible,” she toldDeadline. “Because we’re a beautiful community, and we should be celebrated.”
source: people.com
