The young — 25 years old and under — talent on Variety’s annual list encompasses talent from all platforms. Some have been asked to create characters in challenging works, while others are being asked to carry an entire TV series, while others have lit digital platforms on fire and crossed over to traditional media. We also celebrate agents, managers and lawyers who’ve made dreams come true for their young clients, while in our Up Next section, we focus on a select group of talent posied for a breakthough, with upcoming projects destined to make them household names.
Iain Armitage
Actor
The 9-year-old made his acting debut playing Shailene Woodley’s son in HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” and his career has since rocketed. Next up is independent feature “I’m Not There” with J.K Simmons, Lionsgate’s “The Glass Castle” with Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson and Naomi Watts, plus Netflix’s “Our Souls at Night” opposite Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. In the fall he stars as the lead in CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” prequel series “Young Sheldon.” “Sheldon is like me in a lot of ways, but also different,” he says. “I’ve always really wanted to be a magician. It would be perfect if I could do both acting and magic!”
Denee Benton
Actress
Benton made her Broadway debut this year alongside Josh Groban in “Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812,” for which she received a Tony nomination beside such icons as Bette Midler and Patti LuPone. Benton stars as Natasha, a 19-year-old Russian ingénue. “I’ve been so blessed that the women I’ve gotten to play really speak to my soul in very specific ways,” she says. “If my career can continue to follow that path, I will be happy.” So what’s next on the 24-year-old’s list? Everything. “My dream is to be able to participate in every possible thing this industry has to offer,” she says. “Film, TV, and stage feed my soul in different ways, and something that’s so exciting about film and television is the vast audience you get to reach.”
Alessia Cara
Singer
When glam is the move for the vast majority of female pop stars, Ontario native Cara is almost an anti-idol: She doesn’t get dolled up, her first single (“Here”) was about being miserable at a party, and her breakthrough, “Scars to Your Beautiful,” was about body image and people learning to love themselves as they are. The latter song reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 (not bad for a serious midtempo song about overcoming insecurity); helped push her 2015 debut, “Know-It-All,” to platinum status; and scored three MTV Video Music Award nominations, including video of the year. But her low-key nature isn’t an act, and the deep emotional connection that fans feel to her music has created some challenges for the 21-year-old. “There’s no feeling that can compare to having people come up to you and tell you that you saved their lives,” she tells Variety. “But as someone who’s pretty reserved, it’s been challenging to have people wait outside my hotels or even know who I am at all. But I was raised to maintain a good head on my shoulders — I know who I am, and that’s a big part of it.”
Timothee Chalamet
Actor
With a resume that includes “Homeland,” and films from Christopher Nolan and Jason Reitman, Chalamet earned critical kudos this year as the lead in the Sundance hit “Call Me by Your Name,” navigating the tricky and emotional material with astonishing skill. Sony Classics is planning a November release and eyeing awards for the coming-of-age film, which wowed Berlin after its Sundance debut. Chalamet has a crowded schedule ahead, working with some interesting creatives: He’s got “Lady Bird,” Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut (also starring Saoirse Ronan) and Scott Cooper’s “Hostiles,” starring Christian Bale, on deck — both are set for the Toronto Intl. Film Festival — while 2018 sees him in the next Woody Allen film (with the very busy Elle Fanning) and Felix van Groeningen’s drama “Beautiful Boy,” starring alongside Steve Carell and Variety’s Young Hollywood Impact: Up Next entry Kaitlyn Dever.
Jodie Comer
Actress
The British actress recently starred in the Starz mini “The White Princess,” playing the lead role of Elizabeth of York, after an attention-grabbing turn as a young woman who escaped captivity after 13 years in the BBC Three miniseries “Thirteen,” “a huge turning point for me on a personal level as it was my first leading role.” Next she takes a lead role opposite Sandra Oh in the BBC America eight-episode dramatic thriller “Killing Eve.” “I play a psychopathic assassin who has a penchant for killing and expensive things,” Comer says. “She’s very complicated and so much fun!”
Auli’i Cravalho
Actress/Singer
The 16-year-old native Hawaiian and latest Disney star played the titular lead in the 2016 animated comedy adventure “Moana.” A critical and box office hit ($642 million worldwide), it launched the career of the singer-dancer who beat out hundreds of other actresses for the coveted role and was cast thanks to raw talent. She also brought the house down when she sang the Oscar-nominated “How Far I’ll Go” on the kudocast in front of tens of millions of television viewers. Not so bad for a rookie. She will be seen next as a lead in the upcoming TV series “Rise” (from Jason Katims and “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller, airing midseason on NBC) “while simultaneously completing my senior year of high school,” she says. “Making sure I excel in both is no doubt a challenge, but a rewarding one.”
Daya
Singer/Songwriter
At 18, this strong-voiced Pittsburgh native wasn’t just the youngest person nominated for a 2017 Grammy Award — she was the youngest winner as well. As the featured singer on the Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down” — which won dance recording — the accolade gave a boost to Daya’s already burgeoning career as a solo artist: Her debut album, “Sit Still, Look Pretty,” was certified gold in February.
Matthew Espinosa
Digital Content Creator/Actor
Matthew Espinosa is best known for his work on YouTube and Vine, but the social media phenomenon has been transitioning to more mainstream projects, acting in feature films including “Be Somebody” and “48 Hours to Live.” Espinosa respects his vlogging roots, but says he doesn’t want to be typecast as a social-media star, hoping to eventually be part of a movie franchise. “It’s a hard uphill battle but I’m still keeping the faith that I can do it if I stay focused,” he says. Meanwhile, Espinosa is busy prepping for his first international tour in Europe, where he looks forward to “just taking in each culture and learning from everything I see.”
Micah Fowler
Actor
Fowler’s the center of “Speechless,” ABC’s hit comedy that revolves around a family that happens to include a teenager with cerebral palsy. “I honestly think many times casting directors, producers and studios cast able-bodied actors as disabled characters because of misconceptions, specifically the tendency to generalize the functioning levels and capabilities of all people with disabilities, to be exactly the same. This is simply not the case. Each person is unique, with his or her own abilities, personality and functioning levels,” says the actor. While “Speechless” set out to make people laugh, it’s also impacting the lives of viewers, he says. “It’s renewed dreams and given hope to people navigating life with a disability and given new perspective to those not directly affected with a disability. I am honored to represent the special needs community playing JJ in ‘Speechless’ and do feel a responsibility to be great and make them proud.” Of his co-stars, he says, “Everyone I work with on set is a veteran. Every day I watch and learn more. Minnie [Driver] is always pushing us to do it better. Cedric [Yarbrough} is a master of improvising.”
Jessie Greene
Manager, Monster Management
Greene will do backflips — figuratively or literally — for her clients. The ex-gymnast-turned manager feels very protective toward her clients that include Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”) and Dylan Minnette (“13 Reasons Why”), whom she’s represented since they were 12 and 8½, respectively. “I know everything about them,” says Greene, which comes in handy when younger performers want to power through even if they’re under the weather. Recently, Greene told Zendaya she wasn’t getting on a plane to do re-shoots on her next film (“The Greatest Showman”) until she felt better. “Health and happiness have to come first,” Greene says. While her clients are lucky to have such a strong advocate, Greene believes she’s the fortunate one. “Zendaya and Dylan are the most patient people I’ve ever dealt with. They’re not in a rush. Everything is strategic.”
Halsey
Singer/Songwriter
The brassy young singer flipped the record-industry script by cultivating an audience on social media and then going for a record deal, and she’s been in the driver’s seat ever since. Her sophomore effort “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom,” bowed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the 22-year-old will be serenading her rabid audience on a headlining North American tour through November.
Olivia Holt
Actress/Singer
It’s been a big year for the multi-talented Holt, who scored the lead role in the upcoming Freeform drama series “Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger.” “My character has a lot of layers, so it’s going to be a nice challenge,” she says. The Tennessee native and Hollywood Records artist also released her first EP “Olivia” in 2016, has more than 100 million streams on Spotify (music videos for “Phoenix” and “History” have over 10 million combined views), and new music out this fall. “Music was my first love, so I plan to keep doing that and acting,” adds Holt, who also stars in the upcoming indie comedies “Class Rank” and “Status Update.”
Skai Jackson
Actress
Jackson’s career took off when she landed a role on Disney Channel’s “Jessie” in 2011, and four years later starred in spinoff, “Bunk’d,” in which she continues her role as Zuri Ross. The 15-year-old Jackson also gained fame as a role model for younger girls after standing up to Azealia Banks on Twitter. Jackson is interested in the fashion industry — her new clothing line Nowadays comes to Macy’s in October. Although she does, of course, want to branch out from her Disney Channel career, Jackson says working with Disney doesn’t even feel like work. “Seeing the cast and crew from ‘Jessie’ all the way to ‘Bunk’d,’ I think that’s really awesome and there’s always positive vibes,” she says. “Getting up and going to work is always so fun.”
Fatmata Kamara
Agent, Abrams Artists
Early in her career, Kamara observed a lack of representatives working with actors who were no longer kids, but weren’t quite adults either. She now reps an impressive roster including Logan Shroyer and Hannah Zeile (“This Is Us”), Rhenzy Feliz (“Runaways”) and Winston Duke (“Black Panther”). Even though the days of moviemakers threatening to shoot the dog of child star Jackie Cooper in order to get him to cry on film are long gone, Kamara still diligently educates parents and clients on child labor laws. Once, production hadn’t negotiated wanting to take ostensibly nude photos of a client who was playing an abuse victim. Faster than you could say “SVU,” Kamara morphed into Olivia Benson. “We’re the gatekeepers,” Kamara says with a smile. “You’ve got to go through us.”
Kehlani
Singer/Songwriter
The Grammy nominated multi-talented singer-songwriter-dancer started the year with a bang when she released her full-length debut album, “SweetSexySavage.” It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard chart, and hit singles “CRZY” and “Advice” cumulatively amassed more than 30 million Spotify streams while “Distraction” racked up more than 3.2 million YouTube views in under three days. Kehlani, who got her start in the teen pop group PopLyfe, is on a world tour in support of the album. “I want to take my career to a hands-on place within communities, involving myself in economical justice as well as agricultural advancements … and still making kick-ass music.”
Liza Koshy
Internet Content Creator/Actress
Houston native Koshy is going to be hanging up a YouTube Diamond Play Button soon. In just two years, the 21-year-old has accumulated a little more than 10 million subscribers on the digital platform. While a driving force online, the young comedian showed off her acting chops in 2016’s “Betch” and recently partnered with AwesomenessTV in the series “Freakish.” She also made an appearance in the horror comedy “Boo! A Madea Halloween.” In July, MTV signed a first-look production and executive producer deal with the digital star to produce original content; she will also host the net’s “TRL” reboot. As Koshy continues to break through barriers, she says her main goal is to maintain that authenticity and trust with her audience. “When it comes to posting organically on each platform, it’s continuing to be myself and continuing to be the person that I was years ago.”
Oona Laurence
Actress
Sofia Coppola’s “The Beguiled,” which was lauded at Cannes, starred some heavyweight actors: Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Colin Farrell. But 14-year-old Laurence — who has starred in several features, including Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon,” “Southpaw” and “Bad Moms” with Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis — also delivered a standout performance. Laurence says it’s amazing performing with so many experienced actors because she gets to see how hard they work. She adds that one of her favorite moments on set is when she nails a crying scene. “I think that just boosts my confidence as an actor and it makes me feel good afterwards,” she says. “People clap for you, and you’re like ‘Yes, I nailed that,’ and it feels good, like you really accomplished something.”
Ryan LeVine
Partner, Jackoway Tyerman Wetheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein
The powerhouse lawyer’s recent deals for young talent include SAG Award nominee Jacob Tremblay in “Wonder,” “The Predator” and “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan”; Iain Armitage as title character of “The Big Bang Theory” spinoff “Young Sheldon”; Julian Dennison in “Deadpool 2”; Sophia Lillis in “It” and HBO series “Sharp Objects”; Jahi Di’Allo Winston in “Proud Mary” and as lead of Netflix series “Everything Sucks!” “The ever-expanding market of film and television presents a unique opportunity for creative and aggressive deal making for all talent; young actors are no exception. I’ve particularly enjoyed negotiating some innovative deals for a few of my youngest clients.”
Ross Lynch
Actor/Singer
A Disney Channel star may seem an unconventional casting choice for young Jeffrey Dahmer in “My Friend Dahmer,” but that’s what intrigued Lynch about the role. “A lot of people like to pigeonhole people in any format, in any medium,” he says. “I want to try and find ways where I can constantly break that mold.” The 21-year-old, who is on tour with his band R5, says he hopes to continue furthering his film career. “I want to play roles that people wouldn’t expect me to play. That’s part of acting.”
Alisha Marie
Internet Content Creator
Alisha Marie has racked up 2.99 million followers on Twitter, 3.2 million followers on Instagram and 5.7 million subscribers on YouTube — and counting. With an expanding brand, Alisha Marie has been able to reach every facet of the digital community: tech, beauty, life, etc. She says: “I like to think of it [her YouTube channel] as a magazine and break it up into section. There’s a fashion part, there’s the comedy part, there’s the ‘real life struggle’ part — kind of giving a little bit of each.” With her booming social-media platform she upholds her message of girl power.
Julia Michaels
Singer/Songwriter
Ever since she was a teenager, Michaels has had a way with words — so much so that she saw her first major writing credits (for songs by Demi Lovato and Fifth Harmony) while barely out of high school. Now 23, the hitmaker has five top 10 hits under her belt, including the 2016 No. 1 smash “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, and such radio staples as Selena Gomez’s “Hands to Myself” and Hailee Steinfeld’s “Love Myself.” All told, tracks written by Michaels have been streamed more than 8 billion times. It’s no wonder, then, that executives at Universal Music Group’s Republic Records recognized a talent that should emerge from behind the scenes. Signing Michaels as an artist in October 2016, the label released her first single, “Issues,” which peaked at No. 11 in June. She has since been on a whirlwind promotional tour, but says her success as a songwriter offered no advantage. “I actually felt like I was starting from the bottom,” Michaels tells Variety. “Being an artist and being a songwriter are two different things. You could have a lot of respect at one, and not as much at the other. This year has been about proving myself.”
Kathryn Newton
Actor
The 20-year-old thesp has had one packed year. Many audiences know her as Reese Witherspoon’s daughter Abigail in HBO’s “Big Little Lies.” In addition to a recurring role on “Supernatural,” Newton also recently wrapped filming on “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” with Frances McDormand, and on Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird.” She’s filming BBC’s adaptation of “Little Women” in Ireland and will appear in the Universal comedy “The Pact.” She will also star in the CW’s “Supernatural” spinoff “Wayward Sisters,” reprising her character Claire Novak after fan demand. “Being on [‘Supernatural’] has really showed me what it means to be on the other side of being an actor,” she says. “It’s more than just about you, it’s about the audience, you’re doing it for someone else, you’re doing it for the fans because they really care. So to see something like that has really changed my world.”
Jake Paul
Internet Content Creator
The huge social media star/influencer (20+ million followers) jump-started his career on Vine and currently has the fastest growing YouTube Channel, averaging nearly 2 million new subscribers per month and 480 million-plus views for his videos. Recently wrote, recorded and released hit song “It’s Everyday Bro” in just one day. It hit No. 2 on iTunes internationally. Raised $1 million in funding for TeamDom, his internet incubating talent company. “I’d be lying if I said that I knew starting out that this journey would take my career in such incredible directions.” Recently, Paul made headlines over his bad behavior in his West Hollywood neighborhood and subsequently left as the star of Disney Channel’s “Bizaardvark,” although his legion of fans remain supremely loyal.
Ben Platt
Actor
Platt spent the greater part of this year as the tour-de-force lead of Broadway juggernaut “Dear Evan Hansen.” The 23-year-old, who has performed for luminaries including Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand and Mandy Patinkin, took home a Tony for his portrayal of the titular role. “There’s nothing that can compare to really having an ownership of a character and to feel like a collaborator from the beginning on a piece. It was an untouchable experience,” he says. He doesn’t know exactly when his run in “Dear Evan Hansen” will end, but after that, he hopes to take a reprieve from the stage and refine his skills in film and television. The “Pitch Perfect” actor would be interested in transitioning back into the comedy world. “I mostly just would love to go wherever the characters are great and wherever there’s a role I think I can really sink my teeth into. Whatever medium that’s in is fine by me,” he says. He’s got “Drunk Parents” in post.
The actors on “Riverdale” aren’t the only group of young performers to experience overnight success and adoration from legions of fans (the quintet of stars have a combined total of just under 25 million followers on Twitter and Instagram). If only there was someone in the show’s cast who could advise them on all the trappings of stardom? Oh, wait, there is! “Luke [Perry] and I are really close,” KJ Apa (Archie) says of his TV dad. “He’s done the whole thing on a completely different level. His show [“Beverly Hills 90210”] was the biggest thing in his time. He’ll give us advice on shooting things and what to say in interviews.” Lili Reinhart (Betty) says: “Madchen Amick, who plays my mom, is like a second mom to all of us. We’re lucky to have seasoned actors to do this with. Without them, we’d be lost and we wouldn’t even know it.” One cast member who doesn’t share his experiences is Cole Sprouse (“The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”), who plays Jughead. “Honestly, I don’t think my previous professional experience gives me the perspective I have,” Sprouse says. “It’s the way we were raised [that matters].”
Cast members opted to take different approaches on how to spend their hiatuses. Sprouse pursued his other passion (photography) and attempted to raise funds for an independent movie. Reinhart shot the noir film “Galveston” while Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl) took on a role in “Polaroid,” a thriller. “The whole goal is to find roles that show variety,” Petsch says. “My character in ‘Polaroid’ is very soft, reserved, and sensitive.” Neither Camila Mendes (Veronica) nor Apa took on major projects between seasons one and two. “I don’t really have a plan,” Apa says. “If a really cool project comes along, I’d do it.”
At Comic-Con last month, the actors received an even greater response from “Riverdale” fans than they did a year ago. “A young girl, who was crying, came up to me this year and she wanted to meet me,” Mendes says. “It’s insane that I could generate a reaction like that. It makes me want to strive to be the best version of myself.”
Shooting in Vancouver away from the Hollywood scene keeps the cast even more tight-knit, allowing them to focus on the work, which is a good thing since season two of “Riverdale” promises to be even darker. “I couldn’t even imagine going out to an event after a 15-hour day on set,” Petsch says.
The series could run for years, but Apa says he’s not worried about becoming typecast, especially since he dyes his hair to become the Riverdale redhead. “I’m at a salon for 90 minutes every two weeks,” the actor says. “I don’t know how women do it.”
Joshua Rush
Actor
Rush, 15, stars as Cyrus on Disney Channel’s No. 1 kids hit series “Andi Mack,” which was recently renewed for a second season. In addition, Rush voices Bunga on Disney Junior and Disney Channel’s “The Lion King” sequel series, “The Lion Guard,” which also received a spinoff miniseries “The Lion Guard: It’s Unbungalievable” and a TV movie “The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar.” Rush has also had several recurring roles in voice work, such as Jeremy Birnbaum in “Star vs. the Forces of Evil” and Toby in “The Adventures of Puss in Boots.” Rush says he doesn’t think it’s possible to compare voice acting and live action, since they’re such different experiences, but he loves them both. He attributed his inspiration to his parents. “I have a lot of fun learning about art itself,” he says. “They’ve taught me a lot about what it means to be a person, and they keep me grounded.”
Ashton Sanders
Actor
Sanders generated a lot of attention with his quiet role as a teen struggling with his sexuality in Barry Jenkins’ Oscar best picture winner “Moonlight.” The actor debuted with a lead role in “The Retrieval” (nominated for the Special Jury Award at SXSW in 2013), then played a supporting role in the critically acclaimed hit “Straight Outta Compton.” Now, Sanders is one of the new faces of Calvin Klein, and stars in 2018 sci-fi thriller “Captive State” with John Goodman and Vera Farmiga. “Working alongside [director] Rupert Wyatt and the cast was an incredible experience — we were all able to dive into this world and create something great. Something different. Something to intuit into.”
Alexandra Shipp
Actress
Shipp is taking the world by storm. Her performance in the 2016 superhero film “X-Men: Apocalypse” as Storm added to the growing pantheon of powerful female superheroes. The actress played Ice Cube’s wife, Kimberly, in the blockbuster “Straight Outta Compton” and starred as the late singer in the TV hit movie “Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B.” Shipp pursues tough and tenacious characters in projects. “It was really exciting for me to be able to play such strong powerful women, especially with not a lot of great roles for women out there.”
JoJo Siwa
Singer/Dancer/Actress
Siwa’s year was unlike most kids her age. In addition to making her film debut in a Nickelodeon movie, the 14-year-old who got her start on “Dance Moms” won a Kids’ Choice Award, and her song “Boomerang” earned an RIAA gold certification. Siwa’s book “JoJo’s Guide to the Sweet Life” is coming out in October, in addition to an accessory line featuring her signature bows, apparel, craft, cosmetics and dolls that are part of a big deal she inked with Nickelodeon this year. “I look around and no other kid is doing what I’m doing,” she says. “Nobody’s done it before me, so I don’t know what it should be like. I don’t know if what I’m doing is right, if what I’m doing is wrong, but really there is no right or wrong.” She looks forward to becoming an example for those younger than her. “I’m digging the path for all the other kids.”
Justice Smith
Actor
The accomplished young actor recently wrapped Universal’s “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” the sequel to the blockbuster “Jurassic World,” with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. He’s filming MGM’s YA romantic drama “Every Day” opposite Angourie Rice. Smith also starred in the critically acclaimed 2017 opening run of the Off Broadway play “Yen,” with Lucas Hedges, and, as the focal point Ezekiel in the Baz Luhrmann Netflix series “The Get Down,” rapped, danced and brought poetic intensity to the hip-hop series. “I want to continue to play a variety of roles that challenge me as an actor and stretch my ability to see the world through someone else’s eyes,” he says.
Millie Bobby Brown, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, and Finn Wolfhard
“Stranger Things” Cast
The Duffer brothers’ Netflix drama not only nailed its early ’80s vibe and homages to that decade’s master pop storytellers — Steven Spielberg and Stephen King — but it also made stars out of its young ensemble cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink and Finn Wolfhard. It also quickly attracted a huge, dedicated fan base, critical plaudits and won a ton of awards, including a SAG Award for ensemble in a drama series, two Critics’ Choice Awards for drama series and binge-worthy series, and the MTV TV and Movie Awards for TV series. “We’re all amazed by the huge response,” says Brown, who delivered a career-making performance playing the enigmatic, uber-intense, buzz-cutted “Eleven,” despite having few lines of dialogue. “That made it easier in some ways, but much harder in others.” Brown’s breakout role has also jump-started her movie career; she’s in Atlanta shooting her debut feature, Warner’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” slated for a 2019 release. Wolfhard, 14, who plays bullied Mike Wheeler, has similarly used the show as a springboard to features and stars in the upcoming supernatural/horror film “It,” based on the 1986 King bestseller. “After wrapping the first season, I filmed ‘It’ with [director] Andy Muschietti, so I am totally spoiled as far as breaks go.” For Schnapp, the show “has been so important in elevating my career and making me recognizable. I’m looking at various film projects and am hopeful there’s enough flexibility in my schedule to make some work.” Says Dyer: “It’s been exciting and catalytic, and I’m constantly learning from it. I hope to find more projects and characters that are complex and surprising.”
Hailee Steinfeld
Actress/Singer
Since her Oscar-nominated “True Grit” performance at 14, the 20-year-old actress has cemented her place in Hollywood as one of its most accomplished, versatile young stars, smartly bouncing between small indies (2016’s “The Edge of Seventeen”) and hit franchises (“Pitch Perfect 3”). Currently she’s in production and starring in “Bumblebee,” Paramount’s “Transformers” prequel spinoff, out next summer. Also successfully launched her music career with her platinum-certified single “Love Myself” from her debut EP “Haiz,” while working on her debut album. “I’d love to continue recording music and making movies simultaneously. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to be able to pursue both passions.”
Harry Styles
Musician/Actor
It’s a rare occurrence in the music business that a boy band is actually able to spawn a solo star. But Harry Styles, the 23-year-old → undisputed heartthrob of One Direction, has managed to write his own rulebook since first emerging as a contestant on the U.K.’s “X Factor” in 2010. After the group had sold the equivalent of 7.5 million album units, the Cheshire native took the better part of a year to craft an adventurous debut album, released in May, that, true to its self-titled statement, represents the whole of Styles’ influences — from David Bowie to Queen to Pink Floyd. In a one-two punch, Styles then followed up the album with another critically lauded performance: as part of the ensemble in the Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk.” The movie offers a wholly other sensory experience, with an important message: “It is an incredibly important part of the war,” Styles said on July 21. “We wanted to do it justice and tell the story the best way we could.”
Shelly Sumpter
Executive Vice President, Talent, Music and Events, Nickelodeon
The 19-year Nick vet oversees all talent relations and has been a driving force in creating all-star line-ups for programming and tentpole events, including Kids’ Choice Awards (she brought in hosts Blake Shelton, Justin Timberlake, Nick Jonas, Will Smith, Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg), Kids’ Choice Sports and Nickelodeon Halo Awards (last year hosted by Nick Cannon with performances by Jason Derulo, Hailee Steinfeld, Zedd, Alessia Cara and Daya). “Talent comes from anywhere. Jace Norman came to us through Nickelodeon’s Groundlings showcase, and Daniella Perkins has a big following on social media. Investing in developing kids’ skills through acting, coaches, vocal lessons and improv workshops is key,” she says.
Owen Teague
Actor
The 18-year-old effortlessly exudes teen angst and brooding menace as chain-smoking bad boy Nolan Rayburn on Netflix’s drama “Bloodline,” thanks to acting chops he’s been polishing since he was just 4 growing up in Florida. He started in theater and TV (“Annie Get Your Gun,” “Oliver,” “Macbeth,” “A Christmas Story,” “NCIS: Los Angeles”) and moved into film (sci-fi thriller “Cell”). But it’s his upcoming movie that has the internet abuzz. “I play psychopathic bully Patrick Hockstetter in the upcoming Stephen King remake of ‘It,’” he says. “Working on an incredibly twisted role with a warm, talented cast and crew made ‘It’ beyond fun. I hope to continue acting and eventually write.”
Bryson Tiller
Recording Artist
Just 24 years old, Tiller got an early cosign from Drake and superproducer Timbaland that paved the way for his 2015 debut LP “Trapsoul” — the title of which serves as a thumbnail description of his hip-hop-soul/rapping-singing hybrid. He surprise-released his sophomore album “True to Self” in May, a month earlier than scheduled (it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 anyway), and he’s been making even more noise in recent weeks via “Wild Thoughts,” the hit DJ Khaled single that features him and Rihanna. How is he celebrating? More or less every night on a headlining tour in North America and Europe that continues through December. “It seems like every other week I’ve been getting good news,” says the Louisville, Ky., native. “I try not to let it distract me though, because sometimes I still don’t quite feel like I’ve made it yet.”
Jacob Tremblay
Actor
Buzz engulfed the 10-year-old actor after his performance in Lenny Abrahamson’s 2015 critically acclaimed drama “Room.” Brie Larson won an Oscar for the the film, while Tremblay earned a SAG nomination, making him the youngest actor ever nominated for a supporting actor award. He also took a turn as Naomi Watt’s son Peter in “The Book of Henry,” and will star in “Wonder” with Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts later this year, as well as Canadian helmer Xavier Dolan’s “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” and “The Predator.” Although he says he loves working on all his projects, he enjoyed “Wonder” in particular because there were other kids on the set. The young star adds that working on “Death and Life” was particularly difficult. “I’m really proud of [that film] because it was one my hard ones to do, I have to admit,” he says. “It was very emotional … it was in London, so I was far from my home so I did get homesick a lot. But it was really fun.”
Grace Vanderwaal
Singer/Songwriter
The 12-year-old singer-songwriter won this season’s edition of “America’s Got Talent,” and $1 million, by performing original songs with her signature ukulele. Signed to Columbia Records, she released her debut EP, “Perfectly Imperfect,” in December. It bowed in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and became the best-selling EP of the year. In March, VanderWaal received the 2017 Radio Disney Music Award for the Freshest-Best New Artist, and was nominated for Teen Choice Awards’ 2017 Choice Next Big Thing. She has a new single, “Moonlight,” in release and is “in the studio working with amazing producers on my first album.” Biggest goal? “To eventually go on tour.”
Lisa Wright
Manager, Link Entertainment
Wright handles such hot young clients as Alexandra Shipp (also tapped for the Young Hollywood Impact Report), who landed the coveted role
of Storm in the Marvel/Fox “X-Men” franchise and is filming “X-Men: Dark Phoenix.” Wright signed Rhenzy Feliz,
19, right out of high school, and he appeared on a season of “Casual,” recurred on MTV’s “Teen Wolf” and was cast as the lead of the new Marvel/Hulu series “Runaways.”
Wright also represents newcomer Anthony Del La Torre, 23, who plays young Jack Sparrow in the latest “Pirates of the Caribbean” and recently wrapped “Lords of Chaos” opposite Rory Culkin. “My approach with young talent is just like my approach with seasoned actors: material driven,” she says.
Lil Yachty
Recording Artist
He debuted his singles “One Night” and “Minnesota” in 2015, sealed a record deal with Quality Control Music, Capitol Records and Motown Records and modeled for Kanye West’s runway show in 2016; plus he was nominated for a couple of Grammys in 2017. The Atlanta rapper released album “Teenage Emotions” in June to healthy sales. Lil Yachty also became the face for Nautica and Sprite — and he’s only 19. Lil Yachty continues to expand his empire, even with controversy surrounding his unconventional rap style. Yachty said on the Joe Budden show, “I am happy every day, because life is moving in such a positive way.”
Brian Nossokoff
Talent Agent, UTA
Nossokoff”s clients include Jacob Tremblay, who will next be seen in “Wonder,” “The Life & Death of John F. Donovan” and “The Predator.” His client list also includes Erica Tremblay (“Extinction”) and Emma Tremblay, who recently closed a deal for her to join “Supergirl.” Nossokoff’s roster also includes former and current Young Hollywood Impact talent Amandla Stenberg, Ross Lynch, Peyton List, for whom he is working on several endorsement deals, Kaitlyn Dever and Oona Laurence. He also negotiated for client Hannah Marks set up her first feature, “Shotgun,” which she co-wrote and co-directed, and her second feature “Eskimo Sisters,” which she co-wrote and is attached to star and produce. Nossokoff prides himself on discovering new and emerging talent and putting them into prominent roles and major projects.
Alumni Update: Dove Cameron
The “Liv and Maddie” and “Descendants” star made a splash beyond her Mouse House demographic as one of the “Hairspray Live” stars in December, and returned as Mal in Disney’s much-anticipated “Descendants 2” on July 21.
Alumni Update: Cameron Dallas
With more than 25 million followers over five social-media platforms, Dallas is again one of the big stars of the Magcon (Meet and Greet) Tour this year, and starred in Netflix docuseries “Chasing Cameron.”
Alumni Update: Ansel Elgort
“The Fault in Our Stars” solidified his heartthrob status with millions, and this summer’s hit “Baby Driver” showcased his skills for a new audience. He has signed to play John F. Kennedy in the drama “Mayday 109.”
Alumni Update: Fifth Harmony
The girl group scored a massive hit in 2016 with “Work From Home,” but ended 2016 down a member, as Camila Cabello left the group to start a solo career. They persevered as a foursome, releasing the single “Down,” five months later, while Cabello had Top 5 hit “Bad Things” with rapper Machine Gun Kelly.
Alumni Update: Selena Gomez
Gomez spent much of 2016 climbing the music charts. Her 2015 album, “Revival,” debuted at No. 1 the week of its release. So far in 2017, she’s maintained that momentum with “It Ain’t Me,” as well as her own “Bad Liar,” and also expanded her influence to the screen, executive producing the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why.”
Alumni Update: Ariana Grande
Her latest album, “Dangerous Woman” (released in May 2016), yielded three hit singles and cemented the 24-year-old’s place as one of pop’s most formidable new stars. A coinciding world tour put Grande on a global stage, but also made the singer — and her fans — a target: on May 22, a suicide bomber detonated himself at her Manchester Arena concert, killing 23 and injuring more than 100. Not to be deterred by a senseless terrorist act, Grande returned to the city triumphant on June 7, headlining the One Love Manchester benefit concert and raised more than $13 million for the Red Cross.
Alumni Update: Tom Holland
The new Spider-Man whetted fans’ appetites in “Captain America: Civil War,” which teed up the huge B.O. for “Spider-Man: Homecoming’s” $642 million worldwide gross to date. On deck for Holland: “Avengers: Infinity War,” plus Doug Liman’s “Chaos Walking.”
Alumni Update: Demi Lovato
Her fifth studio album, “Confident,” led to a co-headlining North American tour with labelmate Nick Jonas. An outspoken advocate for mental health, in February she executive-produced documentary “Beyond Silence,” which chronicled experiences with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression.
Alumni Update: Shameik Moore
“The Get Down’s” Shaolin Fantastic showed audiences that he can act, dance and DJ. He drops an album this year, has James Franco’s “The Pretenders” on his slate, and is the voice of Miles Morales in the animated “Spider-Man” feature alongside Mahershala Ali and Brian Tyree Henry.
Alumni Update: Charlie Puth
He already holds the record (with Wiz Khalifa) for the most-viewed video ever on YouTube (“See You Again” from “Furious 7” ), but the past two years have seen even more milestones for the 25-year-old. Collaborations with Meghan Trainor (“Marvin Gaye”) and Selena Gomez (“We Don’t Talk Anymore”), from his album “Nine Track Mind” (the only debut release to be certified platinum in 2016), landed him on the charts yet again, but it’s his own “Attention” that is proving to be the summer smash of 2017.
Alumni Update: Jaden Smith
Memorable in “The Get Down,” Smith’s fashion icon status is undisputed and his free spirit refreshes the celebrity-industrial complex. He next stars in “Life in a Year,” with Cara Delevingne. Roc Nation recently announced a partnership with MSFTSrep, the art collective that includes Smith, sister Willow and Harry Hudson.
Up Next: Asher Angel
Actor
The 14-year-old stars as Jonah Beck on Disney’s No. 1 hit “Andi Mack.” The actor-musician has a tremendous social-media profile, reaching 60 million Musical.ly emoji loves in less than three months. “I’m just excited to be working,” Asher says, adding that he’s “inspired by the careers of Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, but mostly my parents. My mother was featured in Variety once so this is all very exciting!” He’s been spotlighted in Seventeen Magazine, and is filming the second season of “Andi Mack.” In the future he’ll be “working on my music and hopefully doing musical theater.”
Up Next: Gabriel Bateman and Talitha Bateman
Actors
Siblings Gabriel and Talitha are fast on the move. Talitha, 15, can be seen in “Annabelle: Creation,” and also stars in October’s “Geostorm,” from Dean Devlin. She’s very “earth conscious,” saying, “I have been plant based for three and half years and it’s something I’d really like to speak up about.” She considers older sister Leah her “main inspiration,” stating that “she was able to prepare me for my auditions and the rejection that comes along with this industry.” Gabriel, 11, stars in the upcoming reboot of “Benji” and in “Dangerous Book for Boys.” He’s best known for his role in the genre hit “Lights Out” and says that he’s looking to “find ways to connect with the characters better and truly embody them, because good actors don’t pretend, they momentarily become.” He also credits his parents, calling them “the most selfless people I’ve ever met.”
Noah Cyrus
Singer
Being the younger sibling of a superstar is never easy for one trying to follow a similar path. But despite some similarities in Noah and Miley Cyrus’ singing voices, 17-year-old Noah’s first musical moves have set her apart from her sister, ranging from anthemic pop (“Stay Together”) to electronic (“Make Me Cry,” with producer Labrinth) and acoustic (“Almost Famous,” with Adele collaborator Dan Wilson). While Noah says she has “literally no clue” when her debut album will be finished, it already promises to be musically versatile and lyrically opinionated: She cites her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Lady Gaga as her biggest influences.
Up Next: Kaitlyn Dever
Actress
After getting laughs for six seasons on “Last Man Standing” as Tim Allen’s daughter, Dever, 20, is ready for some heavy drama. She’s getting just that in the recently released “Detroit,” directed by Kathryn Bigelow; the film tells the story of a Michigan police raid/race riot in 1967. “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be lucky enough to work with her,” says Dever. Next year, the angst continues with a role in “Beautiful Boy,” the tale of a father (Steve Carell) whose son (Timothee Chalamet) is struggling with meth addiction and recovery. Dever had hoped that “Standing” would have found a new home, but she
philosophizes, “This is a new chapter and I’m excited about it.”
Jason Drucker
Actor
Drucker starred in Fox’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul,” winning the role after a national search in which more than 2,000 kids auditioned. The 11-year-old actor started his career in commercials when he was 6, and booked a recurring role in the Nickelodeon series “Every Witch Way.” Drucker recently landed a plum role in the “Transformers” spinoff, “Bumblebee.”
Up Next: Alison Fernandez
Actress
Brooklyn-born Fernandez appeared this year in the blockbuster “Logan,” and is best known for her work on the shows “Jane the Virgin,” “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Orange Is the New Black.” She’ll lead the reboot of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time.” A movie lover all of her young life, the 11-year-old hopes to “have the opportunity to work alongside some of the people I grew up watching like Robert Downey Jr., Johnny Depp, Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, Rosario Dawson, Michelle Rodriguez and Penelope Cruz.” She gathers inspiration from “teachers, coaches, friends, and family,” and says that she “loves school and learning about new things.”
Up Next: Elliot Fletcher
Actor
One of the stars of Freeform hit “The Fosters,” the 20-year-old actor gained traction in hit series “Faking It” (MTV) and “Shameless” (Showtime). One of the few trans actors on TV, Fletcher sees himself in a unique position to serve as an advocate for trans rights across the board. “I’m open to a lot of options,” he says, when asked about his career ideas, adding that he’d “love to further my music career and I’d love to start playing cis-gender characters.” Fletcher finds inspiration in his mother, saying she’s “a phenomenal performer and an amazing person.”
Up Next: Damon J. Gillespie
Gillespie’s star is on the rise — literally. He’s set to star in the midseason NBC drama “Rise” by Jason Katims (“Parenthood”) and Jeffrey Seller (“Hamilton”). The series tells the story of a self-doubting teacher who takes over a school’s lackluster theater department. Gillespie says the dream role of Robbie, a student who doesn’t come from a lot of money, came to him at the end of a six-month dry spell, following Broadway gigs in “Newsies” and “Aladdin.” Despondent over not landing another show, Gillespie, 23, quit social media, taught school and worked at a Dunkin’ Donuts in New York to pass the time. “When I learned I got the pilot I screamed a lot and picked up a few co-workers and hugged them,” he recalls. “I honestly couldn’t believe it.”
Up Next: Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
Actor
In “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” he’s at the news desk with Betty Brant, but Jorge Lendeborg Jr. will see plenty of action in next year’s “Bumblebee.” He’ll also appear this September in “Brigsby Bear,” which stars Mark Hamill and some of his favorite “Saturday Night Live” funnymen. The 21-year-old actor says his career is due to his family. In high school, Lendeborg’s dad recommended books on actor coaches Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg after he expressed an interest in performing. “I know exactly what I want to do until I’m 27,” he confidently states. Still, Lendeborg doesn’t make a move without consulting his parents and brother. “Even when I have my heart set on something, I’ll ask them their thoughts.”
Up Next: Jacob Lofland
Actor
Following up his run as the younger version of Pierce Brosnan’s adult character in season one of AMC’s “The Son,” the 20-year-old Lofland can be seen next in 2018’s “Maze Runner: The Death Cure,” reprising his role as Aris Jones. “Both characters were finding their place in the world,” says the actor, who carries with him three key lessons from mentors: be on time, be the last to leave and always give 110%. Lofland’s love of cycling helped him land his first major role in “Mud” in 2012. But future producers and directors may be happy to learn that, for now, that Lofland’s hobby of riding dirt bikes is on hold. “I still love racing very much … but I just don’t have time for it right now.”
Up Next: China Anne McClain
Actress
McClain got her big break on the Disney Channel original show “A.N.T. Farm” in 2011, and she stayed in the Disney family, as Ursula’s daughter Uma in “Descendants 2.” She found Uma had striking internal similarities to her character Jennifer Pierce, which she plays in the upcoming CW TV series “Black Lightning.” In the comic- book adaptation, McClain says she “still has to access that strong energy and that presence” as she does in with the fantastical nature of her character in “Descendants 2.” Since her television debut, she has branched out beyond to movies, singing and producing. McClain says she’s attracted to the creative aspect of the industry and hopes to continue stepping into different avenues. “This is what I love to do, and I’ve know that since I was 5,” she says.
Up Next: Jaden Michael
Actor
Michael, 13, knows the importance of immersing himself in a role in order to best bring the role to life. To that end, he studied American Sign Language (ASL) for his role in “Wonderstruck,” a film that received a three-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in May. “[ASL] is very easy because many of the signs just make sense as to what they mean,” says the actor, who began his career at the age of 3, appearing on “Sesame Street.” Michael’s worked with powerhouses such as Viola Davis and Ellen Burstyn, but playing parts in “What Would You Do?” segments on ABC’s “20/20” has proved invaluable. “Seeing people’s emotions has helped me develop different kinds of characters.”
Up Next: Jace Norman
Actor
At 17, Norman has attracted a dedicated following as the star of the successful Nickelodeon series “Henry Danger,” as well as appearing in the popular Nickelodeon TV movies “Splitting Adam” and “Rufus.” Born in New Mexico, Norman developed an early interest in acting, and is a fan of the “collaborative aspect” of storytelling. Recently named Favorite Male TV Star at the 2017 Kids’ Choice Awards, Norman credits Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein as inspirations, saying he looks up to “people who think differently and are always questioning the status quo.” He’ll next appear in the Nickelodeon TV movie “Inside Voice.”
Up Next: Anna and Abigail Pniowsky
Actresses
Sister talents Anna (11) and Abigail (9) are fast on the move, becoming two of the most sought-after child-actresses of the moment. Anna just wrapped Casey Affleck’s drama “Light of My Life,” in which she plays his daughter. She says she “learned so much from Casey. He’s an amazing actor who demands so much from himself. He cares deeply about the art of acting and isn’t afraid to try different things. I’d like to continue to grow into an actor like that.” Abigail appeared in last year’s critical and box office success “Arrival,” and stars as Kyra Sedgwick’s daughter in the upcoming series “Ten Days in the Valley,” from Skydance Television. She has “loved acting” since she was very young. “I feel at home on set where I love putting myself into my character’s world,” she says. She adds that she’s “inspired by Emma Watson because she accomplished so much at a young age and did it with grace.” The sisters will be featured in the upcoming thriller “He’s Out There.”
Up Next: Storm Reid
Actress
Reid (“12 Years a Slave”), whose father DID name her after the X-Men character, filmed her biggest role yet in “A Wrinkle in Time,” the film adaptation of the Madeleine L’Engle novel, set for a 2018 release. “I had already read it for a book report,” Reid says. “When I got the audition, I emailed my teacher to thank her.” “Wrinkle” is the first in a series of books so Reid, 14, may find herself busy playing courageous Meg Murry for a while, but there is plenty of time for other projects. “[In sequels] we are grown up and famous scientists so it might be a few years from now so that people will believe we’d be real scientists,” the actress says.
Up Next: Navia Robinson
Actress
The 12-year-old Robinson is off to a hot start, appearing on BET’s “Being Mary Jane,” Netflix’s “Free Rein,” and currently stars in the Disney Channel hit series “Raven’s Home,” a spin-off from the hit “That’s So Raven.” She’s ambitious, saying she’d love to “star as a female superhero in a Marvel or D.C Comics movie. … It’s so empowering to see women portraying commanding and dominant characters.” Robinson has a lot of plans for her future, saying that she’s “always trying to reach beyond my own personal best, as an actress, artist and human being.”
Up Next: Jacob Sartorius
Musician
One of the biggest musicians to emerge from Musical.ly, having attracted more than 12 million viewers, the 15-year-old was recently signed to RCA Records. Sartorius reaches more than 20 million followers across his social-media platforms, making him one of the busiest musical figures in social media. He wants to “keep improving and growing as a music artist,” and says that he loves the entire experience. “It’s so great to meet fans in person, and I’ve been able to visit countries and cities around the world that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do so without music.”
Millicent Simmonds
Actress
The deaf actress charmed Cannes in Todd Haynes’ competition film “Wonderstruck,” signing an emotional tribute to the director at the film’s press conference. Her performance certainly cemented her talent. She feels grateful that Haynes wanted to use a deaf actress. “I hope it shows people in this industry that we can act. We can do anything! I hope it opens more doors for my community and shows other little deaf girls [and boys] that they can do this. That’s important for me. I would love to try and inspire more hearing parents that have deaf children to learn sign language. Only 10% of hearing parents learn sign language for their deaf kids. That needs to change.”
Up Next: Sunny Suljic
Actor
The 11-year-old actor wowed Cannes in the critically acclaimed drama “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” in which he starred with Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell (and walked the Cannes red carpet, too), and has just wrapped Gus Van Sant’s new feature “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot.” He’s a “passionate skateboarder” who’s “thrilled” about appearing in Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, “Mid ’90s,” which allowed him to “grab my board for a cool sequence.” He’s “taking acting very seriously,” and he really admires Tom Cruise “because he does all of his own stunts and is very dedicated, and that’s really interesting and inspiring to me.” Suljic says he’s “excited about any new opportunities.”
Up Next: Grace Van Patten
Actress
The 20-year-old thesp stars in the upcoming Noah Baumbach comedy “The Meyerowitz Stories,” with Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler and Dustin Hoffman. She says that she wants to “continue doing what I love for as long as I love it, staying curious and open-minded, and working hard for everything.” She stars in Adam Leon’s “Tramps,” which is on Netflix, and recently shot the independent features “Central Park” and “Wilde Wedding,” which also stars John Malkovich and Glenn Close. Grace has “always loved music, painting and writing,” and finds inspiration in her father, saying “his curiosity, creativity, hard work and passion continue to amaze me.”
Up Next: Sam Vartholomeos
Actor
Vartholomeos, 22, scored the role of a lifetime when he nabbed a featured part on the upcoming CBS production “Star Trek: Discovery,” the next iteration of one of Hollywood’s most successful franchises. Born in Queens, Vartholomeos is poised for stardom, saying that he’s excited to “collaborate with outstanding artists on outstanding material,” and hopes to develop as a screenwriter. “I finished a screenwriting course that I found enjoyable. I’ve read a plethora of scripts in my short career, and some have had an impact me. I’d love to write a script that does the same.”
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