See PEOPLE's 25 Most Intriguing People of the Year!

Mar. 15, 2025

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande; Chappell Roan.

There was no shortage of entertainment in 2024.

Chappell Roancommanded the stage,Ariana GrandeandCynthia Erivocried happy tears(anddelicately grasped each other’s fingers) on aWickedpress tour,Bowen Yangkept us laughing andCharli xcxushered in “Brat summer.”

Read on for the full list of celebs (in no particular order) from our People of the Year issue, on newsstands Friday.

01of 25Demi MooreDevin Yalkin/AUGUSTIn the horror filmThe Substance, Moore’s character injects herself with a potion to stay youthful. But in real life theage-defying actress, 62, doesn’t fear getting older.“To me this is the most exciting time of my life,”she toldToday. “My children are grown. I have the most independence and autonomy to really redefine where I want to go.” Whatever her secret is, she needs to bottle it.

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Demi Moore

Devin Yalkin/AUGUST

In the horror filmThe Substance, Moore’s character injects herself with a potion to stay youthful. But in real life theage-defying actress, 62, doesn’t fear getting older.

“To me this is the most exciting time of my life,”she toldToday. “My children are grown. I have the most independence and autonomy to really redefine where I want to go.” Whatever her secret is, she needs to bottle it.

02of 25Chappell RoanDaniel DeSlover/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShe began writing music at age 12, but it was not until this year that the“Good Luck, Babe” singerbecame an overnight icon. With her infectious songs, magical voice andtheatrical costumes, she won legions of fans, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, with whom she identifies.Fame brought anxiety— “If I want to go thrifting, I have to book security,” Roan, 26, toldThe Guardian. But also gratitude. “I never really expected it to grow this big,” she said inInterview. “Everything right now is truly icing on the cake.”

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Chappell Roan

Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

She began writing music at age 12, but it was not until this year that the“Good Luck, Babe” singerbecame an overnight icon. With her infectious songs, magical voice andtheatrical costumes, she won legions of fans, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, with whom she identifies.

Fame brought anxiety— “If I want to go thrifting, I have to book security,” Roan, 26, toldThe Guardian. But also gratitude. “I never really expected it to grow this big,” she said inInterview. “Everything right now is truly icing on the cake.”

03of 25Pedro PascalCharlotte EllisThesexy star, 49, known as “the Internet’s daddy,” led the Roman army inGladiator II. Then he joined the Marvel Universe, playing Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, out next summer. But he’s not out to conquer the world. Pascal likes to be “connected to the moment,” he toldPEOPLE. “I think every day counts.”

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Pedro Pascal

Charlotte Ellis

Thesexy star, 49, known as “the Internet’s daddy,” led the Roman army inGladiator II. Then he joined the Marvel Universe, playing Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, out next summer. But he’s not out to conquer the world. Pascal likes to be “connected to the moment,” he toldPEOPLE. “I think every day counts.”

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Beyoncé

BLAIR CALDWELL

05of 25Bowen YangJingyu LinOn his first trip to Manhattan at age 13,Yangtold PEOPLE, hemade his parents take him to the Broadwaytheater whereWickedwas playing and on a set visit toSaturday Night Live. “I was like, ‘If those two things happened on the same day, I need them to intersect just one more time,’ ” he says of manifesting his role as Pfannee in the film adaptation ofWickedand his sixth season as anSNLcast member.With more eyes and ears on Yang, 34, who also hosts apop culture podcastwith his pal Matt Rogers, his hot takes on Hollywood can no longer fly under the radar. AsTina Feytold him when she was a guest on the show this year, “I regret to inform you that you are too famous now, sir,” adding, “Authenticity is dangerous and expensive.”

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Bowen Yang

Jingyu Lin

On his first trip to Manhattan at age 13,Yangtold PEOPLE, hemade his parents take him to the Broadwaytheater whereWickedwas playing and on a set visit toSaturday Night Live. “I was like, ‘If those two things happened on the same day, I need them to intersect just one more time,’ ” he says of manifesting his role as Pfannee in the film adaptation ofWickedand his sixth season as anSNLcast member.

With more eyes and ears on Yang, 34, who also hosts apop culture podcastwith his pal Matt Rogers, his hot takes on Hollywood can no longer fly under the radar. AsTina Feytold him when she was a guest on the show this year, “I regret to inform you that you are too famous now, sir,” adding, “Authenticity is dangerous and expensive.”

06of 25

Ayo Edebiri

Her intuitive acting and relatable humor have made her star rise like no other this year (we’re talking an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Critics Choice Award). She’s also afashion darling, with labels like Prada and the Row clamoring to dress her.

Luckily she hasher dog Gromit, whom she brings everywhere, to keep her grounded. “I know that even if I’m in a different place,”Edebiri, 29, told PEOPLE, “he must be walked, and he must be fed.”

07of 25ZendayaMicaiah Carter/augustYes, she made the blockbusterDune: Part Two,but it’s a different movie that marked a watershed inZendaya’s career. Known for playing teenagers, the former Disney star, 28, took on a sexy role inChallengers, about a love triangle in the tennis world.“I just like to do things that stretch and push me,” she toldVariety. “There’s a big sense of fear like, ‘Can I do this?’ ” The answer is yes. That willingness to take risks also extends to the red carpet, where she’s become such a fashion force, Anna Wintour tapped her tocohost the 2024 Met Gala.

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Zendaya

Micaiah Carter/august

Yes, she made the blockbusterDune: Part Two,but it’s a different movie that marked a watershed inZendaya’s career. Known for playing teenagers, the former Disney star, 28, took on a sexy role inChallengers, about a love triangle in the tennis world.

“I just like to do things that stretch and push me,” she toldVariety. “There’s a big sense of fear like, ‘Can I do this?’ ” The answer is yes. That willingness to take risks also extends to the red carpet, where she’s become such a fashion force, Anna Wintour tapped her tocohost the 2024 Met Gala.

08of 25Nicola CoughlanGilbert Flores/Variety via GettyHerBridgertonsex scene was among the show’s steamiest. When she was called brave for going nude, Coughlan, 37,said, “I’m very proud to be a member of the perfect-breast community. I hope you enjoy seeing them.”

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Nicola Coughlan

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

HerBridgertonsex scene was among the show’s steamiest. When she was called brave for going nude, Coughlan, 37,said, “I’m very proud to be a member of the perfect-breast community. I hope you enjoy seeing them.”

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Charli xcx

Thanks to her masterful marketing, her lime-green Brat album became a Gen Z phenomenon. Released in June, it kicked off what will forever be known as“Brat summer.”Charli, 32, evenencouraged young voters to embrace Kamala Harriswhen she simply tweeted: “Kamala IS brat.”

10of 25Colman DomingoAllison Michael OrensteinNot only did his performance inRustinmake history (he’s only the second openly gay actor to earn an Oscar nomination for playing a gay role), he rewrote the rules for men’s fashion on the red carpet with his bold looks. It’s no wonder Domingo, 55, was namedcochair of the 2025 Met Gala, celebrating the Black Dandy.Meanwhile, his powerful movieSing Sing, about a real-life theater program for prisoners, is earning awards buzz.

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Colman Domingo

Allison Michael Orenstein

Not only did his performance inRustinmake history (he’s only the second openly gay actor to earn an Oscar nomination for playing a gay role), he rewrote the rules for men’s fashion on the red carpet with his bold looks. It’s no wonder Domingo, 55, was namedcochair of the 2025 Met Gala, celebrating the Black Dandy.

Meanwhile, his powerful movieSing Sing, about a real-life theater program for prisoners, is earning awards buzz.

11of 25Hoda KotbNathan Congleton/NBCAfter 17 years coanchoringTodayshe made the decisionto leave in early 2025to spend more time as a mom to her two young daughters. “There’s the guilt you carry because you can’t be 100 percent at work and 100 percent at home,” she toldPEOPLE. In AugustKotb, 60,moved her familyfrom New York City to the suburbs. After waking up at 3 a.m. every day, she’s looking forward to staying up past 9. “To have a kind of a social life will be new for me,” she said.

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Hoda Kotb

Nathan Congleton/NBC

After 17 years coanchoringTodayshe made the decisionto leave in early 2025to spend more time as a mom to her two young daughters. “There’s the guilt you carry because you can’t be 100 percent at work and 100 percent at home,” she toldPEOPLE. In AugustKotb, 60,moved her familyfrom New York City to the suburbs. After waking up at 3 a.m. every day, she’s looking forward to staying up past 9. “To have a kind of a social life will be new for me,” she said.

12of 25Cynthia Erivo and Ariana GrandeAmy Sussman/GettyTheWickedwitches, both 5'1" sopranos, became fast friends while shooting the movie. “The connection we made is really special,”Erivo, 37, told Jimmy Fallon. Their bond is eventattoo-permanent with four matching designs: a poppy and the phrase “for good” on their hands; hearts with letters on their ankles; and a mystery tattoo thatGrande, 31, says is “intense.”

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Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

Amy Sussman/Getty

TheWickedwitches, both 5'1" sopranos, became fast friends while shooting the movie. “The connection we made is really special,”Erivo, 37, told Jimmy Fallon. Their bond is eventattoo-permanent with four matching designs: a poppy and the phrase “for good” on their hands; hearts with letters on their ankles; and a mystery tattoo thatGrande, 31, says is “intense.”

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Nicole Kidman

Art Streiber

“I’m happiest when I’m challenged,”she toldW Magazine. “That has always been my passion.”

14of 25Sabrina Carpentercourtesy sabrina carpenterEverything aboutCarpenterradiates joy: her catchy songs, her cheeky smile, her coquette style (those bangs!). The former Disney Channel star, 25, blew up when “Espresso” became Billboard’s No. 1 song of the summer. She opened forTaylor Swiftand playedCoachellaandSaturday Night Live.The pop star even turns lemons into sugary-sweet lemonade. “The moments and mistakes I allowed myself to make,” she toldL’Officiel, “say a lot about my character.”

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Sabrina Carpenter

courtesy sabrina carpenter

Everything aboutCarpenterradiates joy: her catchy songs, her cheeky smile, her coquette style (those bangs!). The former Disney Channel star, 25, blew up when “Espresso” became Billboard’s No. 1 song of the summer. She opened forTaylor Swiftand playedCoachellaandSaturday Night Live.

The pop star even turns lemons into sugary-sweet lemonade. “The moments and mistakes I allowed myself to make,” she toldL’Officiel, “say a lot about my character.”

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Olivia Munn

Ryan West

16of 25Tracy ChapmanKevin Winter/GettyThe reclusive singer, 60, returned to the Grammys in February to sing“Fast Car” with Luke Combs, 34 years after winning best new artist. It brought the house down — and sent Chapman’s original version back up the charts. “A song like ‘Fast Car,’ which I wrote when I was maybe 22, wasn’t a very long process,”Chapman toldThe New York Times.

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Tracy Chapman

Kevin Winter/Getty

The reclusive singer, 60, returned to the Grammys in February to sing“Fast Car” with Luke Combs, 34 years after winning best new artist. It brought the house down — and sent Chapman’s original version back up the charts. “A song like ‘Fast Car,’ which I wrote when I was maybe 22, wasn’t a very long process,”Chapman toldThe New York Times.

17of 25

Denzel Washington

john russo/netflix

ThoughWashington, 69, plays a supporting role inGladiator II, critics agree that his performance as Macrinus, a power-hungry Roman arms dealer, is a highlight of the blockbuster. Washington has said that director Ridley Scott persuaded him to make the film in the first place.

18of 25Zoe SaldañaVALERIE MACON/AFP via GettyAfter conquering a trio of blockbuster franchises withAvatar,AvengersandStar Wars,Saldaña, 46, was ready for a creative challenge and she found it inEmilia Pérez, the operatic Spanish-language drama. The movie, in which she sings and dances as Rita, a lawyer who helps a cartel boss disappear and transition to becoming Emilia, got rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival and now there is Oscar buzz for Saldaña. “If I get the recognition,” she toldVariety, “it would be a dream come true.”

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Zoe Saldaña

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

After conquering a trio of blockbuster franchises withAvatar,AvengersandStar Wars,Saldaña, 46, was ready for a creative challenge and she found it inEmilia Pérez, the operatic Spanish-language drama. The movie, in which she sings and dances as Rita, a lawyer who helps a cartel boss disappear and transition to becoming Emilia, got rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival and now there is Oscar buzz for Saldaña. “If I get the recognition,” she toldVariety, “it would be a dream come true.”

19of 25Joe RoganChristian Petersen/GettyThe country’s most popular podcaster, 57, reaches 14.5 million listeners and flexedhis power in the presidential election.

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Joe Rogan

Christian Petersen/Getty

The country’s most popular podcaster, 57, reaches 14.5 million listeners and flexedhis power in the presidential election.

20of 25Anna Sawaielisabeth caren/augustThe JapaneseShōgunstar became the first actor of Asian descent to win an Emmy for lead actress in a drama series. “It’s about time,”she told PEOPLE. “I’m just grateful that the door has really started to open.” In her emotional acceptance speech,Sawai, 32, thanked her mother, whom she brought with her. “You are the reason I’m here,” she said. “You showed me stoicism, and that’s how I was able to portray it.”

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Anna Sawai

elisabeth caren/august

The JapaneseShōgunstar became the first actor of Asian descent to win an Emmy for lead actress in a drama series. “It’s about time,”she told PEOPLE. “I’m just grateful that the door has really started to open.” In her emotional acceptance speech,Sawai, 32, thanked her mother, whom she brought with her. “You are the reason I’m here,” she said. “You showed me stoicism, and that’s how I was able to portray it.”

21of 25Jennifer LopezTodd Williamson/JanuaryImages/ShutterstockWith a revealingdocumentary, acanceled tour, adivorce from Ben Affleckand an inspiring sports movie,Unstoppable, it’s been a roller-coaster year forJ.Lo, 55. What she loves about life,she said inInterview, is that “there’s no arrival point. There’s only getting better and growing if you want to.”

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Jennifer Lopez

Todd Williamson/JanuaryImages/Shutterstock

With a revealingdocumentary, acanceled tour, adivorce from Ben Affleckand an inspiring sports movie,Unstoppable, it’s been a roller-coaster year forJ.Lo, 55. What she loves about life,she said inInterview, is that “there’s no arrival point. There’s only getting better and growing if you want to.”

22of 25Caitlin ClarkJustin Casterline/GettyThe most influential player in college basketball history has continued to elevate women’s sports sincejoining the Indiana Fever.Clark, 22, had a record-breaking season and drew record attendance at Fever games.Anointing her WNBA Rookie of the Year, commissioner Cathy Englebert said, “I know the best is yet to come.”

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Caitlin Clark

Justin Casterline/Getty

The most influential player in college basketball history has continued to elevate women’s sports sincejoining the Indiana Fever.Clark, 22, had a record-breaking season and drew record attendance at Fever games.Anointing her WNBA Rookie of the Year, commissioner Cathy Englebert said, “I know the best is yet to come.”

23of 25Princess KateMatt PorteousIn March the Princess of Wales, 42, shocked the world,announcing that she had cancerand would be undergoingchemotherapy. She proceeded to navigate her life like no royal before — showing vulnerability and courage as she stepped away from public duties to focus on her health and family, explaining that “the path to healing” would be long. “You can’t say she is back,”her biographer Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE. “But she is coming back. She is doing it in her own way and at her own pace, and carefully.”

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Princess Kate

Matt Porteous

In March the Princess of Wales, 42, shocked the world,announcing that she had cancerand would be undergoingchemotherapy. She proceeded to navigate her life like no royal before — showing vulnerability and courage as she stepped away from public duties to focus on her health and family, explaining that “the path to healing” would be long. “You can’t say she is back,”her biographer Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE. “But she is coming back. She is doing it in her own way and at her own pace, and carefully.”

24of 25ShaboozeyTaylor Hill/GettyGrowing up in Virginia, where there were “no walls” between genres, he told theAP, he evolved from a rapper to a country singer. Aftercollaborating with Beyoncéon two tracks from Cowboy Carter,Shaboozey, 29, released a No. 1 single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” In September he won aPeople’s Choice Country Awardfor new artist of 2024.

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Shaboozey

Taylor Hill/Getty

Growing up in Virginia, where there were “no walls” between genres, he told theAP, he evolved from a rapper to a country singer. Aftercollaborating with Beyoncéon two tracks from Cowboy Carter,Shaboozey, 29, released a No. 1 single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” In September he won aPeople’s Choice Country Awardfor new artist of 2024.

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Creators of the Year

Alix Earle/Instagram; Nara Smith/TikTok; Chris Olsen/Instagram

source: people.com