Young Hollywood 2026: The Rising Stars Making Their Mark

From Tate McRae and Sombr to Tyriq Withers and Malachi Barton, Variety’s 2026 celebration spotlighted a new generation shaping music, film, television and pop culture.

August 14, 2026: Hollywood has always had its rising stars, but figuring out who will actually become the next major name is a different challenge.

That is where Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood comes in.

The annual event, presented by Disney+, returned to Los Angeles on August 5, 2026, bringing together emerging actors, musicians, creators and young entertainers who are already making an impact across the industry. This year’s celebration highlighted several names who are quickly moving from promising newcomers to stars audiences are watching closely.

Among the most prominent honorees were Tate McRae, Sombr, Tyriq Withers and Malachi Barton. Each represents a different part of the entertainment landscape, which is part of what made this year’s group so interesting.

HOLR breaks down the stars at the center of Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood 2026 and why their careers are worth watching.

Tate McRae Is Entering a Major New Chapter

Tate McRae has already moved well beyond the “rising artist” label.

The Canadian singer, songwriter and dancer received Variety’s Triple Threat Award, recognizing the combination of skills that has helped her establish herself as one of pop music’s biggest young performers.

McRae’s career has developed remarkably quickly. After first gaining attention as a dancer and competing on So You Think You Can Dance, she began building her music career with songs that connected strongly with younger audiences.

Her breakout came with “you broke me first,” followed by hits including “greedy,” which became one of the defining pop songs of her career.

By 2026, McRae had accumulated more than 20.8 billion overall streams, multiple No. 1 Top 40 hits and a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, according to information published ahead of the Variety event.

Her recognition at Power of Young Hollywood reflects something important about the current music industry: today’s major pop stars are expected to be more than singers.

McRae’s dancing, songwriting, stage presence and visual identity are all part of her appeal.

Sombr Is Becoming One of Music’s Most Interesting New Voices

Another major name honored at the event was sombr, the stage name of singer-songwriter Shane Boeker.

Sombr received Variety’s Songwriter of the Year honor, recognizing his growing influence as a young artist and songwriter.

His rise is particularly interesting because it reflects the way young musicians can now build audiences without following a traditional path through the music industry.

Online discovery has become an important part of how listeners find new artists, and sombr has developed a strong following through emotionally direct songs and a distinctive alternative-pop sound.

Rather than relying solely on spectacle, his appeal comes largely from the intimacy of his music.

That has helped him connect with a generation of listeners who often discover songs through TikTok, streaming playlists and social media before they encounter an artist through traditional radio.

Variety’s recognition signals that sombr is no longer simply an internet discovery.

He is becoming a serious songwriter to watch.

Tyriq Withers Is One of Hollywood’s New Leading Men

On the acting side, Tyriq Withers received the New Leading Man Award.

The recognition comes as Withers continues to build momentum through film and television projects.

His career has included roles in productions such as Atlanta, Tell Me Lies and The Game, before he began attracting wider attention through larger projects.

His growing profile is part of a broader shift in Hollywood, where younger actors are increasingly moving between television, streaming and film rather than building their careers around one traditional studio system.

Withers’ Variety recognition suggests that the industry sees him as someone capable of carrying increasingly prominent roles.

For audiences, that makes his next projects particularly interesting.

Malachi Barton Represents the Next Generation of Disney Stars

Malachi Barton received the Rising Star Award at the 2026 celebration.

The young actor has already developed a connection with Disney audiences through his work on Disney Channel and Disney-related projects.

In 2026, Barton became part of Camp Rock 3, the long-awaited continuation of the popular Disney franchise. He plays Fletch, one of the new-generation characters joining the story alongside returning stars Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas.

The timing of his Variety recognition is significant.

Camp Rock 3 gives Barton an opportunity to reach an audience that includes both longtime Disney fans and a younger generation discovering the franchise for the first time.

His career is therefore developing at an interesting intersection between nostalgia and the future of youth entertainment.

Young Hollywood Is Bigger Than Traditional Movie Stars

One of the biggest takeaways from the 2026 event is how much the definition of “Hollywood” has changed.

Young stars today do not necessarily become famous through one movie or television series.

They can build an audience through music, social media, streaming platforms, reality television, fashion and digital content before crossing into more traditional entertainment spaces.

That was visible throughout the Power of Young Hollywood celebration.

Alongside the official honorees, the event attracted a broad collection of young entertainers, including Madison Beer, Kiernan Shipka, Olandria Carthen, Inde Navarrette and others.

Several Love Island USA personalities also appeared at the event, showing how reality television stars are increasingly becoming part of the broader young-Hollywood conversation.

The guest list reflected a generation of celebrities whose careers can move across multiple platforms.

Olandria Became a Red-Carpet Standout

Olandria Carthen, known to fans of Love Island USA, was among the personalities who attracted attention on the red carpet.

She wore a striking red Francalanci gown featuring an open-work design, high collar, structured shoulders and a dramatic leg slit. The look quickly became one of the more memorable fashion moments from the event.

Her appearance also demonstrates how quickly reality television personalities can move into wider pop-culture conversations.

For many reality stars, the goal is no longer simply to remain associated with a particular show.

They can use their visibility to build fashion partnerships, social media careers, brand opportunities and entertainment projects that extend well beyond reality television.

Madison Beer Continues to Build Her Pop-Culture Profile

Madison Beer was another recognizable name at the celebration.

The singer arrived shortly after announcing her engagement to football star Justin Herbert and wore a custom pistachio-colored Geyanna Youness gown.

Her appearance reflected the increasingly blurred relationship between music, fashion and celebrity culture.

Beer has spent years developing a career that extends beyond her music, with fashion and beauty becoming important parts of her public identity.

At Power of Young Hollywood, she represented another version of what young celebrity looks like today: an artist whose influence exists across several industries simultaneously.

Kiernan Shipka Remains One to Watch

Kiernan Shipka also appeared at the event, bringing with her years of experience despite still being part of Hollywood’s younger generation.

Shipka became widely known for Mad Men before taking on major roles in projects including Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Her career has continued to evolve as she moves from child and teenage roles into more mature projects.

Her presence at the event reflects the longer career trajectory that Power of Young Hollywood can represent.

Some honorees are newcomers.

Others are established young performers entering the next stage of their careers.

Why Variety’s Young Hollywood List Matters

Being included in a young-Hollywood spotlight does not guarantee that someone will become the next global superstar.

Entertainment careers are unpredictable.

However, these lists can offer an interesting snapshot of where the industry is placing its attention at a particular moment.

Variety has previously highlighted young talents who went on to become major stars, including Zendaya, Olivia Rodrigo and Megan Thee Stallion.

That history gives the annual celebration additional significance.

It is not simply about who is famous today.

It is about who might become even more influential tomorrow.

A New Generation Is Defining Celebrity Differently

The 2026 Power of Young Hollywood celebration also reflects a major change in how young celebrities build careers.

Tate McRae demonstrates the power of combining music, dance and performance.

Sombr represents the songwriter whose audience can grow through digital discovery.

Tyriq Withers shows how a young actor can move between television and larger screen opportunities.

Malachi Barton represents the new generation of Disney talent.

Meanwhile, Olandria and other reality personalities show how social media and unscripted television can create stars with influence far beyond their original shows.

These careers look different, but they share one thing: flexibility.

Today’s young stars are rarely defined by just one job.

What Comes Next for Young Hollywood?

The real question now is which of these names will become household names on an even larger scale.

For Tate McRae, the next phase of her music career could bring even bigger global stages.

Sombr is entering an important period as his songwriting profile expands.

Tyriq Withers has the opportunity to establish himself as one of the industry’s emerging leading men.

And Malachi Barton is entering a potentially significant new chapter through Camp Rock 3.

The wider group of young entertainers recognized and celebrated by Variety is also moving into a period where their careers could change quickly.

HOLR breaks down Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood 2026 because the event is more than another celebrity party.

It is a snapshot of the entertainment industry in transition.

The stars attracting attention today may be the names dominating headlines, movie posters, streaming charts and award shows a few years from now.

For now, Tate McRae, Sombr, Tyriq Withers, Malachi Barton and the wider group of young entertainers have something in common: they are building careers at a time when Hollywood is changing faster than ever.

And that makes this generation of young stars one of the most interesting to watch.

FAQs

What is Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood?

Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood is an annual event and editorial franchise that recognizes emerging and established young entertainers making an impact across Hollywood and popular culture.

Who was honored at Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood 2026?

The 2026 honorees included Tate McRae, Sombr, Tyriq Withers and Malachi Barton.

What award did Tate McRae receive?

Tate McRae received the Triple Threat Award for her achievements as a singer, songwriter and performer.

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