Milly Alcock, Simone Biles and More

Just days after wrapping a sold-out headlining tour, the musician born Hollis Frazier-Herndon released his highly anticipated debut album, “Star.” In addition to performing the new music at Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, his album also landed 2hollis on Apple Music 1’s “The Zane Lowe Show” and on Lowe’s “25 for ’25” annual selection of the most exciting new artists of the year. “I’m most proud of my friends and I for doing what we always said we were going to do, making it come true, and having the most fun while doing it,” he says of a whirlwind year.

Alcock first made waves soaring the skies as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in “House of the Dragon.” Next year, she’ll take to the skies again as Kara Zor-El in Craig Gillespie’s “Supergirl,” where she’ll travel across the world with her beloved dog, Krypto, on a mission for revenge. This year, Alcock teased the character and the anticipated movie with a memorable cameo in blockbuster “Superman.” The Australian actor also gained fans when she came out on top against Meghann Fahy and Julianne Moore in Netflix’s soapy hit series “Sirens.”

Everyone’s raving about the cast of “The Pitt” — and for good reason. They bring a raw, urgent authenticity to the ER drama that’s both emotionally gripping and career-defining. “It’s always been a dream to work on a show of this caliber and meet artists of that same caliber,” says Brooks (Mateo). “Just to soak everything in has changed my perspective on so many things, which I’m so grateful for.” Ganesh (Samira) says the experience gave her clarity she hopes to share: “Know your worth and wait for what is right for you. I wish I had had more faith in myself earlier on … hold true to what you deserve and what you need.” Azeez (Victoria) found inspiration in those leading the show: “It’s such a cop out to say [exec producer and star] Noah Wyle and [exec producer] John Wells, but I’ve never seen leadership modelled quite like this before.” And Briones puts it simply: “Things have gotten even more scary in the world… I wanna see the reality, because I need to know and I need to care about it.”

Prime Video’s “Overcompensating” became an instant hit when it debuted in May, with Baram and Shah starring as friends (and, to varying degrees, love interests) of Benito Skinner’s character Benny. Baram originally joined the series as a part of the writers room, later landing her first acting role opposite Skinner. “That was by far the most I’ve ever been pushed out of my comfort zone in any artistic pursuit,” she says. “Everything from the skills I was using to managing work-life balance to the endurance of shooting for three months — all of those things were a new muscle for me and I’m really proud of the work.” “Overcompensating” was a first for Shah as well, with the series being his first time doing comedy. “Being around such brilliant, hilarious and witty minds and watching my colleagues fire on all cylinders at 100mph whilst absorbing everything was incredible,” he says. “Every day on set was a new adventure and kept me on my toes.” Up next, Shah is set to star alongside Charli XCX in A24’s “The Moment.”

Since her 2024 Paris Olympics domination, Biles has been on a roll. She recently wrapped up her Gold Over America Tour (GOAT), and joined production company Religion of Sports, co-founded by Tom Brady, Michael Strahan and Gotham Chopra, as a creative partner and board member. She starred in the Netflix series “Simone Biles Rising,” and her new role at ROS will open doors for her to more media platforms. She’s even opening a restaurant, Taste of Gold, at the Houston airport. “One of the biggest things I learned about myself this past year is that no matter where my journey takes me, I’m my best self when I’m able find time and space for myself,” Biles says. “I believe hard work, determination and dedication — even in facing difficult challenges — is important in pursuing your goals and dreams, but so is prioritizing your own mental health. Through it all, having fun and staying true to myself has made this past year so memorable.”

With more than 19 million followers and 4.3 million gained in this past year alone, Blackwell has proven herself a true multi-hyphenate with a hit YouTube series (“Feeding Starving Celebrities”), a short-form show (“International Food Reviews”), a guest-starring acting debut in Rachel Sennott’s untitled HBO comedy pilot, and her first-ever fashion brand, Riquera. “I sort of just fell into comedic cooking content,” says Blackwell. “It was what I’d make when I wasn’t sure what else to do, but it’s somehow become my marquee thing. I love it so much.” And so do her long list of celebrity guests — including Kali Uchis and Lil Yachty, with Charli XCX and Billie Eilish on deck.

The first time “Severance” star Bock felt a love for acting was on a trip to New York City when she was 8 years old. “I saw my first Broadway show, ‘Matilda,’ and since the show has a lot of kids starring in it, it kind of made me realize that this is something I could do now or sometime in the near future.” After playing the role of Lumon Industries’ Miss Huang, Bock imagines that her character left the corporation with a new perspective on the world of innies and outies. “I think even though she did change and have that character arc in Season 2, she gained more empathy. I’m not sure if that would be enough yet to completely flip her to any side. Lumon is a corrupt system, and as someone who loves what the innies are fighting for, I hope that Miss Huang would at some point be on their side.”

As a young child, “Wicked” star Bode never thought she’d be immortalized as a Lego figurine or even a Barbie. “It’s wild,” Bode says. The actor, who plays Nessa-Rose in the hit musical, has heard from audiences who have responded to her performance, specifically from disabled people and parents of disabled kids. “They’ve said how much my casting means to them, and that somebody that looks like them in real life,” she says. Bode hopes to be a voice for accessibility.

Germann, Broadway and Thor star in “Gen V,” the hit Prime spinoff of “The Boys,” which returns in September. Germann, who is shooting “Gargoyle 2” right now, will be seen in the highly anticipated “Scream 7” next year. “All of my favorite moments on ‘Gen V’ have to do with the people. Not just the great cast and crew, but all the people I’ve met who watch the show and are excited about it; it makes everything feel so meaningful in a really special way,” Germann says. Thor, who credits her mom, Alice Carter, as her biggest mentor, has a packed schedule as well, and says, “‘Gen V’ was a huge challenge for me because it pushed me to do things that were out of my comfort zone, and it has allowed me to grow in so many ways as an artist.” Broadway, who played for laughs in “Kinda Pregnant,” says, “I got to create a character who literally shrinks and grows depending on how she’s feeling — she’s basically the human embodiment of imposter syndrome meets body image issues. Emma represents the pressure so many young women feel to shrink themselves to fit in or puff themselves up to be seen.”

Broski became a familiar face to many in 2019 when a video of her reacting to kombucha went viral. Since then, she has built a social media following of over 18 million. She’s the creator and host of the weekly podcast “The Broski Report” and the online talk show “Royal Court,” which has featured guests like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Saoirse Ronan and Josh Gad over the past year. “I want to invite guests into a world that’s so ridiculous they have no choice but to lean in,” she says of her medieval-themed talk show. “And I think disarming the guests in that way really is powerful because, when do they get a chance to be silly?”

The Atlanta-born artist with over 4 billion streams across his catalog earned his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this year with “More Chaos,” the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2023 release “A Great Chaos,” which was certified gold and landed on year-end best-of lists from the New York Times, Pitchfork, Billboard, Complex and Rolling Stone. Signed to Playboi Carti’s Opium label and mentored by TM88, Carson’s co-signs also include LeBron James, Young Thug and Justin Bieber. “Do whatever you want to do, because not everyone will understand what you’re trying to do until it’s done,” Carson says of his ethos.

When filming Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” Caton knew they were onto something special. What he didn’t realize was to what extent. The vampire tale set in 1930s Mississippi surpassed $360 million worldwide and is the fifth highest-grossing horror movie of all time at the worldwide box office. “Life is different,” Caton admits. Just four years ago, he was singing with music star H.E.R. and touring while still in school. He had just graduated when the call for “Sinners” came in. The film marks his acting debut, and fans have since been sharing artwork and music videos inspired by his performance. “It’s mind-blowing,” he says about its cultural impact. Caton is excited for the future. Hollywood has opened its doors, and he’s been bitten by the acting bug. “Action and adventure” are among the genres he’d be open to. “And love,” he adds. Caton as a romantic lead? We’d love to see it.

Variety called Chavez’s portrayal of Lyle Menendez in Netflix’s anthology series “incredible”… and that pretty much nails it. As the dominant, arrogant, volatile older brother, Chavez’s Lyle emerges as both a product and a perpetrator of abuse at the hands of their parents before he and his younger brother murder them in cold blood. “‘Monsters’ changed my career, but the play I’m doing now, ‘Camino Real,’ is changing the DNA of who I am as an artist,” Chavez says. “The greatest gift we can possibly ask for, as actors, is the privilege of working on brilliant material with sharp actors who are equally as obsessed.”

After releasing her debut album, “What a Devastating Turn of Events,” in 2024, Chinouriri has had a whirlwind year on the road headlining her first North American tour and as a supporting act for Sabrina Carpenter’s European “Short n’ Sweet” tour. “I don’t feel like I realized my moment until this year. Once I finished off my album, there was a moment where I was proud of myself, and when I went to an HMV store and saw my vinyl, it was just the most mental and insane thing,” she says. As she begins to work on her second studio album, Chinouriri hopes to see a more inclusive space for Black women in music. “I am hoping that more Black women dominating in pop, indie, alternative and rock spaces can be labeled as a separate Black pop star or Black indie star. It will become so normalized to see a picture of pop stars and it’s mixed with Black and POC women.”

The reimagined Judy Blume classic, “Forever” became an instant success for Netflix, as did the two actors playing the teenage couple in the adaptation. “When I saw the project, it felt so authentic to Black culture, Black girlhood and womanhood,” says Simone, who plays Keisha on the show and has just wrapped horror pic “Oddities.” Less than a week after its May 8 launch, Netflix announced a Season 2. Cooper Jr. hopes to explore more of Justin’s musical interests next season and reconnect with Keisha after they have grown individually. Having his first leading role in “Forever” has been his proudest moment so far. “You want people to feel seen and represented,” he says. “It feels like a dream for this many people to feel something while watching the show.”

Born in Riverside, the Mexican American singer-songwriter and guitarist has earned a reputation for his emotion-driven performances. Cornejo, who recently completed his second arena tour across the U.S., blends regional Mexican soundscapes with indie rock aesthetics. Proceeds from his latest tour went to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. “Touring has taught me a lot, not just about the world, but about myself,” says Cornejo. “I’ve come to realize how connected we all really are, no matter where we come from.” A new generation of teens are deeply identifying with this style, while Cornejo keeps it consistent — his third all Spanish-language album, 2024’s “Mirada,” became his first to reach the Top 20 on the albums chart in the U.S. (No. 17).

Coster, host of the viral TikTok series “Boy Room,” is on a mission to revamp some of the most forbidding boy rooms she can find. She pitched the series to Gymnasium, which agreed to produce it, while working as a barista in New York City. Next thing she knew, the videos were hits. The best part, Coster says, is meeting the boys and getting a glimpse into their rooms. “It’s not that I have good taste or anything, it’s mostly just that I really like seeing stuff,” she says, adding, “getting to see so many ways to live has been awesome.” There’s a lot she’d like to conquer next, particularly writing, acting and directing, maybe even music. “I can’t deny that there’s an amazing country music album in me,” she says. “There’s no evidence of that, I just can really feel it coming out.” Her parting words? “There’s no way to know what the universe has in store for me and I can’t imagine it’s anything but awesome.”

Cravalho reprised her role as the title character in the “Moana” 2024 sequel, which grossed $1 billion. She also made her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret.” “The story of ‘Cabaret’ hooked me instantly, how the palpable themes of 1920s fascism, morality and sexism still simmer dangerously in today’s political sphere. And after years of playing my darling Moana, I craved a character that didn’t feel safe,” she says. Cravalho is exec producer of the live action “Moana,” EP on short “The Queen’s Flowers” and SXSW doc “Reef Builders.” “You can expect to find me both in front of, and faaar behind the camera.

The Alabama-born country crooner first found his voice at 5 years old while singing in church. But it wasn’t until the pandemic that Culpepper began picking up a guitar and learning cover songs for barrack bonfires during a deployment in Spain with the U.S. Navy. Fast forward five years: Culpepper is now readying himself for the release of a highly anticipated debut album and has found fans in both Elton John and Leon Bridges, with whom he recently wrapped a tour. “I’ve learned that making art is a lifelong journey,” says Culpepper. “There’s no finish line. It’s best that I just stay present and focus on the work I have for the day.”

Earle is one of the biggest names on social media and the voice behind the hit podcast “Hot Mess.” She’s known for her off-the-cuff humor, real-life moments and a wild ability to connect with just about everyone. From beauty tips to everyday chaos, her fans can’t get enough, and brands call it the “Alix Earle [sold out] Effect” for a reason. “Looking back, the biggest difference I noticed within myself is my confidence,” she says. “Having tough conversations, managing people and really coming to terms with me being my own boss is something I’ve grown into this past year.”

One of the most promising young actors in Russia, Eydelshteyn found himself front and center at the Oscars this year as Sean Baker’s “Anora” took home the award for best picture, and three other trophies. “Despite all the attention and crazy rhythm, we’re still just regular guys and girls you can call in the middle of the night to discuss the new ‘Superman’ or a vegetarian pasta recipe,” says Eydelshteyn, who played the mercurial son of an oligarch in the film. Having signed to WME earlier this year, the actor is currently slated to star opposite Sophie Turner in Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane’s second season of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”

Feldman, the popular creator known as @guywithamoviecamera on TikTok and Instagram, gained a massive following through his viral behind-the-scenes content on film and TV sets. Now, he’s a mainstay at some of the biggest events of the year, covering everything from the Oscars to the Met Gala. This past May, Feldman debuted his short film “Wait, Your Car?” in Cannes at a TikTok event during the festival. He finds that the time he’s spent working on sets has helped inform his own work. “Seeing how James Gunn is directing 150 extras, and the way that he decides where the camera is … you can’t put a price on how valuable that is to watch someone like that and be that intimately close to them and ask questions.” Coming up, Feldman has a pilot for a miniseries he’s ready to pitch. “I just want to tell stories that people my age and around my age are excited about and tell them in a way that’s thoughtful and that treats the audience with respect and as intelligent viewers.”

It’s not every day you can say you’ve walked the grim streets of Gotham and find yourself amid a rivalry between Batman villains, but Feliz opened the doorway to showing a more empathetic side in Gotham in his performance in “The Penguin.” “I was honestly afraid that people wouldn’t have enough empathy for Victor in ‘The Penguin,’ and I asked Colin [Farrell] about it. He said to lean into it, and to go further into the empathy. It gave me even more permission to put that fear aside and just dive further into Victor.”

Francis found himself on the “ride of a lifetime” with Jamie Lloyd’s “Sunset Blvd.” revival. “It’s really opened up doors in a way that I don’t think I knew it was going to do when I first signed the contract,” he says. He nabbed a Tony nomination and an Olivier Award for his performance — and a rising profile that’s led to on-screen roles in “You” Season 5, Noah Baumbach’s upcoming “Jay Kelly” and Peter Berg’s “The Mosquito Bow l.” He’s currently working on “Bowl,” which involves training in a “boot camp” for the World War II football film.

Guido quickly became a fan favorite on Netflix’s “Running Point” with his standout performance as Jackie Gordon. “Watching it be so well-received and climb the charts on Netflix is something I’m super proud of,” he says. “I’m always advocating for the show, not just because I’m on it, but because I highly respect the people I’m working with, both in front of and behind the camera.” Guido’s love for the series and his co-stars is evident, and he has a fitting description for the cast’s relationship. “We love each other like a family, but we operate like a team,”he says. Before Season 2 starts filming, he hopes to fit in as many stand-up shows as he can and continue working on the pilot he’s developing

It’s rare that a young star like Infiniti — born and raised in Indianapolis — would pay their dues on some of the most coveted sets in Hollywood, but such is her burden. We first met the actor as a worthy sparring partner for Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga and Peter Sarsgaard in Apple TV’s buzzy “Presumed Innocent.” As that series garnered four Emmy nominations, Infiniti skipped right over to Paul Thomas Anderson’s band of players. She’ll make her feature film debut in PTA’s “One Battle After Another” this fall as the offspring of Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor, joining a cast that’s being watched closely for awards glory. She won’t have much time off, as she’s been set as the co-lead for Hulu’s “Handmaid’s Tale” spinoff, “The Testaments.”

Rao, Innanen, and Thiele collaborate in achieving comedic genius in FX’s “Adults,” an ensemble comedy written by “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” alums Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw. It follows a group of twentysomething co-dependent housemates. The show debuted in May to critical acclaim, and the effects of success are already hitting all three of them. “It feels like new doors have been opened to be able to pursue acting, writing and comedy at this new level, which has honestly been keeping me up at night with both excitement and anxiety,” says Innanen. “I’m looking forward to doing more projects of different genres and mediums — plays and musicals, horror and drama. I love live theater, and I love the grotesque,” adds Rao. As for Thiele? “I’ve been so lucky to work on projects with people who deeply inspire me. I hope that continues.”

The Spanish singer-songwriter has quickly become one to watch for her distinctive and indie pop sound infused with Andalusian flamenco, Venezuelan folk, Arabic influences and modern electronic textures. After releasing her debut album, “Bodhiria,” in 2024 and joining J Balvin on a European stadium tour as his opening act, Judeline entered the busiest year of her young career — making her Coachella debut, performing at the Royal Palace of Madrid and launching her first U.S. tour. “My biggest goal is to keep evolving,” she says. “I’m dreaming of even more immersive shows, with visual art, movement, scenography … I also want to collaborate with artists who get it, who aren’t afraid to explore sound and vulnerability in strange ways. This industry moves fast, and I’m learning that staying grounded is key if I want to keep making music that’s true.”

“You Look Like You Love Me” was one presumptuous song title, but it turned out to be prophetic, as country music devotees quickly fell head over heels for this Alabama native. Although she had help from duet partner Riley Green, the No. 1 success of this bar room-lust anthem had just about everything to do with the agreeable chutzpah of the ACMs’ winner for best new female artist of the year. She became the only female artist to have a chart-topping country song in 2024, and her solo follow-up single, “Weren’t for the Wind,” made it to No. 2. Country needs a dozen more instant female stars just like her, but if it can only have one right now, there’s no mystery why it’s Langley.

When Lenae recorded her unexpected smash hit “Love Me Not,” which hit the top 10 of the Hot 100 at the end of July, she knew it was something special. “There’s this undeniable energy to it, something infectious that grabs you right away,” says the R&B singer of the retro-pop song, which has been used in more than 500,000 TikToks over the past year. At this point, the Chicago native is something of an industry veteran: She signed to Atlantic Records as a teen and has since released three EPs and two albums, including last year’s “Bird’s Eye.” Following the success of “Love Me Not,” Lenae will hit the road on a solo tour before opening for Sabrina Carpenter.

Mejia showcased her comedic talent through standout performances in features “One of Them Days” and “You’re Cordially Invited,” as well as in episodes of “The Studio” and “Running Point.” In these projects, she held her own alongside comedy heavyweights such as Will Ferrell, Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer. “I think, personally — as Keyla — I struggle sometimes with being super confident. And I think I got really lucky to always play very confident characters. That was super fun, super addicting,” she says. “Feeling free and wild and getting to have fun is a really cool feeling that I got with comedy.”

Merced knows a thing or two about stepping into beloved films and series. After joining the cast of blockbuster franchises such as “Superman,” where she played the sardonic Hawkgirl, “The Last of Us” and “Alien: Romulus,” the actor is excited for audiences to explore new worlds and new characters with her and set a positive example on set for future generations of actors. “I’m really hopeful for people setting a standard of quality of work that involves kindness. As a Midwesterner, kindness is a huge value for me, and for that reason, ‘Superman’ meant a lot to me. I’ve felt that love lately among stacked communities,” she says.

In July, the Nashville-born, Alabama-raised artist released “Sex Hysteria,” a second studio album that included “Blue Strips” and “Touch Me Like a Gangster,” two tracks that charted on the Billboard Hot 100 before the album was even released. Though Murph also found herself nominated for the new female artist of the year honor at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, her proudest moment happened in April when she played Coachella for the first time. “It’s something that’s always been a goal of mine, so to see it actually happen was a ‘pinch me moment,’” she says. Up next? A 54-city world tour.

When Thames and Parker were growing up, they never would have believed they would be soaring above the clouds on dragons and fighting inside Viking-era arenas on the set of the live action “How to Train Your Dragon.” “Not to be too biased, but Hiccup is my dream character. He’s in me and for the rest of my life, he will be a part of me, which is the same way with a lot of people who just watched the movies,” says Thames, who has “Black Phone 2” on deck. Now as the new generation of dragon-riders for a younger generation of kids to discover, Parker can’t wait to see what is next for audiences to find. “I love people getting to re-enter the world that they already know and love, but there is something so sweet about watching young kids that don’t know what’s about to happen. Watching them watch the movie for the first time is a dream come true,” says Parker, who will next be seen in Maud Apatow’s “Poetic License.”

Role Model has learned to keep his expectations low. Since debuting in 2017, the artist, whose given name is Tucker Pillsbury, has slowly built momentum with three EPs and two albums including last year’s “Kansas Anymore,” whose deluxe edition yielded the breakout hit “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” “It’s really clear when someone finds and settles into their sound,” he says. “People got to watch me just figure my shit out. In a way, I’m glad it took me this long.” Now, “Sally” is approaching 100 million Spotify streams thanks to TikTok and an opening slot for Gracie Abrams, all leading toward festival dates and an acting debut in Lena Dunham’s Netflix romcom “Good Sex.”

While Shapiro-Barnum’s often-viral content features celebrities, isn’t really about them — the real stars in his online series are everyday kids. In 2021, he launched “Recess Therapy,” in which he interviews children. Eventually, he started introducing celebrities to interact with the kids. “They also know that they have to play and be goofy and relinquish some of their carefully built personas,” Shapiro-Barnum says about his famous guests, which this year included Lisa, Jimmy Fallon and Javier Bardem.He also hosts the shows “Gems With Miles and Julian” and “Celebrity Substitute.” And in all of them, “the most important person on the show is the least famous person on the show, which is just the kid,” he says.

Not many artists can claim dual simultaneous hits, yet Sombr (aka Shane Boose) achieved just that after “Back to Friends” and “Undressed” went big on TikTok in March. Both songs reached top 40 and crowned various Spotify viral charts. “My music is resonating because it came from my heart,” explains the artist, who dropped out of high school to pursue music after his 2022 hit “Caroline” picked up steam. He plans on bringing his bedroom-recorded strain of hazy pop across the globe on his headlining fall tour, with plans to write new songs along the way: “All I want to do is keep writing and touring and serving [my supporters] for the rest of my days. That’s what gives me purpose.”

At 19, Strazza was this year’s youngest Tony nominee, landing a nod for featured actress in a play for her performance as Beth in the Gen Z, feminist phenomenon “John Proctor Is the Villain.” She’s not new to Broadway, having made her debut on the Great White Way in “Matilda.” Still, the New Yorker was surprised at the recognition: “I don’t know if I ever expected to be at Radio City on Tonys night, or let alone be nominated, and especially not at 19,” she says. She also recently appeared in Netflix’s “Fear Street: Prom Queen.” For now, she’s soaking up the last moments of “John Proctor,” which closes Aug. 31.

Thatcher returned as Natalie in the third season of “Yellowjackets,” taking the character into darker, more commanding territory as she stepped into a leadership role. Beyond the series, she played a love robot gone haywire in “Companion” and a Mormon missionary in “Heretic,” as well as contributing music to both projects. Next, she’ll appear in “Her Private Hell,” from filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn. “I go to places that I didn’t know I could go to on camera. It sometimes feels like, when you’re very hyper-aware of yourself, you can hit a wall — but I’ve never had such out-of-body experiences. It’s incredibly thrilling and scary.” Thatcher says she’s already spoken to Refn about potentially working on the “Her Private Hell” soundtrack. “I want to help build the world,” she explains. “And soundtracks, to me, are the most important thing.”

The fastest-rising star in country music lists George Jones, Merle Haggard and Keith Whitley as his biggest influences. Of course, they all say that … but Top is the rare county freshman who sounds like he means it. For fans of traditional country sounds (like the Saving Country Music site, which named him 2024 artist of the year), Top is looming as a potential savior. Even though he’s on an indie label, TikTok spurred the attention that drove “I Never Lie” to No. 1 on Mediabase’s country airplay chart. The winner of the 2025 ACM for best new male artist will be headlining arenas following the Aug. 25 release of his sophomore album.

The Emmy-nominated Oji-Cree First Nations actor gained major cred with his role in the critically acclaimed FX series “Reservation Dogs.” Over the course of three seasons, the coming-of-age story, revolving around a band of young Indigenous friends on an Oklahoma reservation, received widespread acclaim, landing on over 80 critics’ year-end lists. It also paved a major path forward for D’Pharaoh, who has since made waves with a starring role in Alex Garland’s widely praised “Warfare” (released by A24 in April) and an upcoming role in Darren Aronofsky’s “Caught Stealing” (set for release in August).

The South London singer-songwriter, who has garnered more than 1 billion all-time streams globally across her catalog, had a massive year with the breakout track “Messy.” A song she first wrote as a demo in her bedroom amid a chaotic breakup, it went on to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Pop Airplay chart, the Hot Adult Contemporary chart and Alternative Rock chart — and led her to some powerhouse performances that included opening for Billie Eilish in Paris and a Coachella debut. The whirlwind ascension is likely to continue with her new album, “I’m Only Fucking Myself,” which drops Sept. 19.