The 2018 Breakout Stars Yearbook: From Noah Centineo To Hayley Kiyoko
The 2018 Breakout Stars Yearbook: From Noah Centineo To Hayley Kiyoko
Gather around, class — it's that time of year again! Because the bell rings on 2018, we're looking back at the breakout stars who commanded our screens and dominated the airwaves. It was the year we swooned over the faces of the rom-com resurgence, got bewitched by Sabrina, noticed catharsis in "Lucid Dreams," and bopped along to "Boo'd Up." In celebration of these memories and more, take a look at the "freshman class" of 2018, comprised of the scene-stealers and chart-toppers who made this year so fun.
Noah Centineo: Class Heartthrob
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Age: 22
Breakout role: As Peter Kavinsky, the scheming jock with a sensitive soul, in To all of the Gentlemen I've Loved Before; as Jamey, another sweet jock with a crush, in Sierra Burgess Is a Loser
How he ruled 2018: The Florida native became the front of the rom-com resurgence this year with his consecutive Netflix flicks. Wooing fans with his Mark Ruffalo-ness, he was promptly crowned the Internet's Boyfriend, and racked up a whopping one million followers in just one day following To all of the Boys's premiere (he's right now at a casual 16 million).
What's next: However another rom-com, The Stand-In, with Riverdale's Camila Mendes; a "key role" in next year's Charlie's Angels reboot; more thirst traps for those millions of eager IG followers
Hayley Kiyoko: Miss Congeniality
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Age: 27
Breakout song: The fast-talking dance-pop revenge tale "Curious"
How she ruled 2018: That's "20GAYTEEN," actually, according to Hayley. This year saw the release of her queer anthem-packed debut album, Expectations, which paved the way for a Coachella debut, a nationwide tour with Panic! At the Disco, plus a visitor efficiency at Taylor Swift's Reputation Tour. The icing on the cake was her first trip to the VMAs, where she performed "Curious" and earned a Moonperson for Push Artist of the Year. "This validates any queer woman of color that you could follow your dreams," she said immediately after her big win. Amen, Lesbian Jesus!
What's next: A European tour in early 2019
Letitia Wright: Best Smile
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Age: 25
Breakout role: because the whip-smart tech genius Shuri, T'Challa's sister and Wakanda's princess, in Black Panther
How she ruled 2018: In Hollywood's first black superhero movie, Letitia was the scene stealer — no easy feat once you're sharing the screen with a beefed-up, shirtless Michael B. Jordan. The Guyanese-British actress reprised her role in Avengers: Infinity War, and then scored a Emmy nomination for her appearance on Netflix's Black Mirror. And then there really are all those assignments she has in the pipeline...
What's next: The indie sci-fi romance Hold Back the Stars with John Boyega; the John Legend-produced U.S. Remake of French comedy Le Brio; a rumored role in Rihanna and Donald Glover's mysterious Guava Island; Avengers 4 and that inevitable Black Panther sequel
Ella Mai: Best Hair
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Age: 24
Breakout song: The silky smooth, triple-platinum "Boo'd Up"
How she ruled 2018: More than each year right after its appearance on her 2017 EP Ready, "Boo'd Up" became a late-bloomer hit, turning Ella into a household name. The London-born singer set hearts aflutter again with the release of her self-titled debut album in October, which spawned the groovy follow-up single "Trip" and earned her a coveted efficiency slot on SNL.
What's next: Her first headlining tour, which kicks off in her native U.K. In January and treks across Europe before arriving stateside in February; some much-earned Grammy buzz
Kiernan Shipka: Most Changed Since Freshman Year
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Age: 19
Breakout role: because the titular half-witch, half-mortal in Netflix's spellbinding The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
How she ruled 2018: In her first major role since her turn as sassy Sally Draper on Mad Men, Kiernan cooperates with the reinvent Sabrina for Gen Z through the one hell of a wickedly fun occult romp. Since its premiere in October, CAOS has become a binge watcher's dream — or, maybe more accurately, a delectable nightmare.
What's next: A Sabrina holiday special coming to Netflix on December 14; nine new episodes hitting the streaming service on April 5; more fashion-forward Instagram inspiration
Awkwafina: Class Clown
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Age: 29
Breakout role: because the fast-talking, card-flipping pickpocket Constance in Ocean's 8; because the hilarious, swaggering BFF Goh Peik Lin in Crazy Prosperous Asians
How she ruled 2018: The Queens rapper — who became a underground sensation a couple of years prior with her viral YouTube hit "My Vag" — landed roles in two of the summer's biggest flicks. Most notable was Crazy Wealthy Asians, a landmark rom-com that became Hollywood's first major movie in 25 years with an all-Asian cast. Amid its dazzling ensemble, Awkwafina stole every scene.
What's next: A half-hour scripted series she developed for Comedy Central that's inspired by her own upbringing in Queens (maybe it'll fill the Broad City-sized hole in your heart?); Three movies bowing in 2019, including the fantasy/sci-fi film Paradise Hills with Emma Roberts; the already-in-the-works Crazy Prosperous Asians sequel
Juice WRLD: Most Emo
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Age: 20
Breakout song: "Lucid Dreams," the emo-descended heartbreak anthem of the year
How he ruled 2018: Immediately after dropping just one EP on SoundCloud last year, the Chicago rapper scored a reported $3 million deal with Interscope at the best of 2018, and made good on the hype with "Lucid Dreams." The platinum hit has been hanging out in the best 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 for months, peaking at No. 3 and earning Juice WRLD a performance slot at the VMAs in August. He gave fans more lush loner tunes with his debut album Goodbye & Good Riddance, teamed up with Future for a collaborative project, and then took his heartbreak on the road for the aptly titled The WRLD Domination Tour.
What's next: The North American leg of his trek wraps up next week, and then he heads overseas for a handful of dates in Australia and New Zealand
Tessa Thompson: Most Popular
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Age: 35
Breakout role: The bisexual, alcoholic warrior Valkyrie in Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok
How she ruled 2018: The L.A. Native's scene-stealing Thor role won over the masses at the end of last year, although it was 2018 that cemented her status as a here-to-stay star. She played astrophysicist Josie in the female-led sci-fi flick Annihilation, rainbow-haired activist Detroit in cult fave Sorry to Bother You, and the calculated Charlotte Hale on HBO's Westworld. Tessa also reprised her role as hearing-impaired singer Bianca in Creed II, and took her talents to the music world by co-starring in Janelle Monáe's vagina-celebrating "Pynk" video. Got all that?
What's next: A mysterious role in the untitled Men in Black spin-off; voicing Lady in Disney's Lady and the Tramp
King Princess: Class Heartbreaker
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Age: 19
Breakout song: The Harry Styles-approved "1950," a tender depiction of unrequited romance inspired by the way queer people historically had to hide their love
How she ruled 2018: The Brooklyn-born teen's sparkling left-of-center pop made her the opening signee to Mark Ronson's Zelig Recordings, and soon after "1950" propelled her into stardom, she made her official introduction on the five-song EP Make My Bed, packed with polished, unabashedly gay earworms.
What's next: A group effort with Ronson on his upcoming album; a headlining North American tour starting in January 2019
Rachel Brosnahan: Most Likely to be President
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Age: 27
Breakout role: As 1950s housewife-turned-standup-comic Midge in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
How she ruled 2018: Yes, Mrs. Maisel premiered last year, however 2018 was once the series dominated awards season and customary itself an instant classic. That's thanks in large part to Brosnahan, who earned a Golden Globe and a Emmy for her hilarious, razor-sharp portrayal of Midge.
What's next: Season 2 of Mrs. Maisel, which landed on Amazon Prime this week; the Cold War drama Ironbark, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch
Bad Bunny: Life of the Party
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Age: 24
Breakout song: Cardi B's "I Like It," which featured both Bad Bunny and J Balvin's hot Latin flare
How he ruled 2018: The Puerto Rican rapper led the Latin trap explosion this year, scoring his first No. 1 with Cardi B's song of the summer smash. That widened his reach to the English-speaking masses, as did his marquee features with some of rap and reggaeton's biggest names: Ozuna, Daddy Yankee, Nicki Minaj, and Drake, who sang in Spanish on Bad Bunny's single "Mia." His stellar 2018 also included his first-ever U.S. Tour and two wins at the Latin American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year.
What's next: His hotly anticipated debut album, rumored to be titled La Nueva Religión
Lana Condor: Teacher's Pet
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Age: 21
Breakout role: As Lara Jean Covey, an introverted romance novel enthusiast and love letter writer, in To all of the Males I've Loved Before
How she ruled 2018: Like her dreamy co-star Noah Centineo, Lana skyrocketed to stardom with her all-too-relatable role in Netflix's hit rom-com. The Vietnamese-American actress afterward gained a cult following on Instagram and became one of the faces of the new wave of Asian media representation (looking at you, Crazy Wealthy Asians!). Like Lara Jean, you can't help however root for Lana.
What's next: Starring as a badass assassin in the Syfy series Deadly Class; the cyberpunk action flick Alita: Battle Angel; hopefully the eagerly awaited To All of the Boys sequel
Joe Alwyn: Most Shy
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Age: 27
Breakout role: As Emma Stone's regal love interest in The Favourite; as a lovestruck courtier in Mary Queen of Scots
How he ruled 2018: The Brit actor appeared to have his star-making turn with Ang Lee's ambitious Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk in 2016, nevertheless that didn't quite shake out. This year is a different story, thanks to his pivotal roles in three — count 'em, three! — Awards contenders: the aforementioned The Favourite and Mary Queen of Scots, plus the gay-conversion therapy drama Boy Erased. He also earned the Chopard Trophy for emerging talent at the Cannes Film Festival, became the face of Prada, and, yes, is dating one of the world's biggest pop stars, Taylor Swift.
What's next: A role in the upcoming Harriet Tubman biopic, alongside Cynthia Erivo and Janelle Monáe
Billie Eilish: Most Creative
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Age: 16
Breakout song: The bewitching, beyond-her-years "Ocean Eyes"
How she ruled 2
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