The Young Folks team has come together to list the very best in entertainment and pop culture for the year 2013!
Each year brings us new and promising talent that continue to both surprise and entertain. We love highlighting our favorites of among the year’s rising stars to share with the world how much we’ve enjoyed their wonderful work. Click through the slideshow to see who we think you should be talking about for the next year.
[tps_title]Allyson Johnson’s Top 10 Breakout Artists of 2013[/tps_title]
1. Lupita Nyong’o – There is one (of many) scenes in Steve McQueen’s heart-stopping film 12 Years a Slave that showcases what a bright, raw talent this actress is. In one of the most shocking moments in the film she’s all raw nerve, a filtering heartbeat that has been utterly broken of happiness and while the cast is phenomenal throughout-it’s her Patsy that haunts you the longest. It would be criminal for her to not have a bright future ahead-watch out, she’s likely going home with a trophy at this year’s Oscars.
2. Oscar Isaac – He’s an actor that’s been around for a while, popping up in films such as Sucker Punch and Drive but never really digging his feet deep into roles so much that he’s a standout and in the Coen Brother’s newest film, Inside Llewyn Davis, he does just that. He embodies Llewyn to such a degree that sometimes you forget it’s a character. Isaac possesses a natural watchability that inhabits his every step and is a definite double threat as he sings the hell out of a folk song. Although he may be passed over this year for flashier performances, his was by far a standout of the year.
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3. Dane DeHaan – Let’s just say it: this guy may be the most talented actor of his generation. He’s alluring, talented, and charismatic and he’s already shown versatility this year in giving stellar performances in both Kill Your Darlings and The Place Beyond the Pines. He’s a refreshing talent amidst actors that seems to blend together, bringing a refreshing energy to his roles. And with a recent casting call for him to play James Dean & his turn in the nest Spider-Man film there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing much more of him to come.
4. Michael B. Jordan – Okay so anyone who has been a fan of Jordan knows that to call him a “breakout” is a little silly. He’s given fantastic performances in television favorites such as The Wire andFriday Night Lights. He’s charmed the pants off of us in movies such as Chronicle and now he’s asserted his lasting power in this year’s Fruitvale Station. There’s no stopping him it seems and why on earth would anyone want to.
5. Adèle Exarchopoulos – If you’ve seen Blue is the Warmest Color it’s hard to argue that anyone but Exarchapoulos deserves the Oscar for Best Actress. She’s stunning, she’s heartbreaking, she’s young but she’s growing old too fast, she’s oddly disconcerting to anyone who’s gone through identify crisis’s or young love and she’s so utterly transfixing and believable that it’s surprising to realize how little roles she had beforehand. This is a seasoned actress performance delivered by a fresh faced one. If there’s one actress of the year that’s made me want to track their career, it’s hers.
6. Haifaa Al-Masour – Wadjda is possibly (as of now) my favorite foreign film of the year because of its simplicity but inarguable depth. It’s sweet and focuses on a mother-daughter relationship. It’s also the first film to even be shot in Saudi Arabia and its shot by a woman. It’s remarkably sincere and it’s one of the best, most heartfelt stories of the year.
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7. Brie Larson – Larson is another actress that’s been around for a while but was finally allowed a star turning role in Short Term 12. It was a wonderful film aided by a strong supporting cast but this was ultimately Larson’s vehicle and she managed to insert nuance into an already well rounded character and gave one of the best female performances of the year. She also was a highlight in the otherwise dour The Spectacular Now.
8. Melissa Fumero – Do you watch Brooklyn Nine Nine? If not, you should get on that because it’s hilarious. What’s more hilarious is Fumero’s type A personality as Santiago and the absolute charm and break neck energy that she brings to the role. She’s an unexpected breakout, but one none the less.
9. Dylan O’Brien – This kid is possibly having a bit of a moment. He’s the fan favorite Stiles in MTV’s Teen Wolf and it seems that season 3B only has more big & mind bending moments in store for him; he popped up alongside (the admittedly lackluster but not due to him) Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn in The Internship, he was cast as the lead in the Young Adult adaptionThe Maze Runner which hit’s theaters in 2014 and there are rumors of other roles on the horizon. Undoubtedly the best of the younger cast and possessing natural, rough around the edges talent, he’s a young actor who will interesting to follow.
10. Natalie Dormer – Quite simply she’s been everywhere. She stole all of her scenes in last season’s Game of Thrones, appeared alongside Chris Hemsworth in Ron Howard’s Rush, got cast in the next Hunger Games and has played Moriarty (the BIG bad) on CBS’s Elementary. Talented, beautiful and charming, she’s going to be everywhere in 2014.
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[tps_title]Michaela Nardo’s Top 10 Breakout Artists of 2013[/tps_title]
1. Lorde – C’mon. Lorde is all over the place: The Grammy’s, SNL spoofs, my mom’s oldies + now radio station, she blew up over the past year and has enough singles left from her album to make it well into 2014 with a song always on the Top 40. In my opinion, no one else had debuted in and taken the pop culture world by storm the way Lorde has. I can’t wait to see what she brings to the table as she continues to mature and make more new and exciting poppy, hip hoppy, techno-y music.
2. Michael B. Jordan – I’ve been a huge Michael B. Jordan since his Friday Nigh Lights days. He played the broken and talented Vince, a high school quarterback with a chance at a bright future. Michael B. Jordan broke out this year on the big screen by starring the jarring Fruitvale Station, a movie based on a true and tragic happening. It’s an Oscar-worthy performance.
3. Shailene Woodley – Woodley showed her acting chops this year. Breaking away from her “American Teenager” days, Shailene landed huge roles: Hazel Grace Lancaster in the upcoming movie version of The Fault in Our Stars, Tris in the amazingly addictive Divergent trilogy, Mary Jane in the Spiderman remakes, and the role that started it off, Aimee Finecky in the indie hit, The Spectacular Now.
4. Zedd – If “Stay the Night” isn’t in your head 24/7, I’d like to switch brains. Zedd took the EDM world by storm by releasing the catchy and dance-y “Clarity” featuring British-act, Foxes. “Stay the Night” is blowing up everywhere: Zedd has a knack for making amazing techno beats and adding a pop vocal to take the song to the mainstream level. “Lost at Sea” featuring Ryan Tedder is another example of what makes Zedd great.
5. Haim – Haim, a three-piece rock band made up of equally talented sisters, had a break-out hit with “The Wire.” Their music is as amazing as their fashion-sense and I will be forever digging their 70’s rock vibes. This trio is here to stay!
6. Rainbow Rowell – With two loved YA novels hitting the scene this year, Rainbow Rowell is one of the biggest names in the genre.
7. Brie Larson – Brie Larson has been on the radar for a while. She made a splash in 21 Jump Street but her break-through performance comes from Short Term 12, a film that shouldn’t be missed.
8. Miles Teller – Starring alongside Shailene Woodley in The Spectacular Now, Miles Teller provides a wonderful performance that shows he’s geared for stardom.
9. SNL Comedy Geniuses, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett, and Aidy Bryant – I have a crush on all of 2013 Featured Players of SNL. Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney are two of my absolute favorites and are poised to strike comedy gold. Often referred to as “the next Lonely Island” Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett started out making YouTube videos together (with the help of their equally hilarious partner, Nick) under the moniker GoodNeighborStuff in 2006. They all went on to make their own YouTube gold, and had small parts in awesomely funny TV shows like Hello, Ladies, Arrested Development, and Parks and Recreation, and finally landed the job on SNL. Their skits are already making us laugh and a little uncomfortable, The GoodNeighbor specialty. Aidy Bryant joined the cast in 2011 and has been making us laugh ever since. Since becoming a full-time cast member, Aidy has been featured in so many hilarious skits, but one of my personal favorites is when Aidy hosts one of the popular skit, “The Girlfriend Talk Show.”
10. Tavi Gevinson – Tavi Gevinson started “breaking-out” in 2011, when she paired with Sassy founding editor, Jane Pratt to start an online indie magazine for young girls and guys. In 2012 she gave her first Tedx talk for teens. A writer, blogger, business woman, and fashion-icon at only 17, Tavi Gevinson is the editor of one of the biggest online magazines which influences young girls throughout the world. Rookie continues to grow and Gevinson continues to influence and become one of the youngest and greatest indie darlings.
[tps_title]Cristina Moreano’s Top 10 Breakout Artists of 2013[/tps_title]
2. The Strypes
3. The 1975
4. London Grammar
5. Jaguar Ma
6. Haim
7. Chvrches
8. Kodaline
9. Lorde
10. The Neighbourhood
[tps_title]Maxwell Haddad’s Top 10 Breakout Artists of 2013[/tps_title]
10. Chadwick Boseman – Actor, 42
9. Ariana Grande – Singer, Yours Truly
8. Lorde – Singer, Pure Heroine
6. Barkhad Abdi – Actor, Captain Phillips
5. Oscar Isaac – Actor, Inside Llewyn Davis
4. Adele Exarcopholous – Actress, Blue is the Warmest Color
3. Destin Cretton – Filmmaker, Short Term 12
2. Rainbow Rowell – Author, Fangirl and Eleanor and Park
1. The Cast of Orange is the New Black
[tps_title]Gabrielle Bondi’s Top 10 Breakout Artists of 2013[/tps_title]
2. Rainbow Rowell – This author has had an incredible year, releasing two exceptional novels that I will always hold dear. (Oh my God, that rhymed.) The first was the heartfelt Eleanor and Park, which is the kind of book that feels so rare you treasure just after a few pages. The other book is Fangirl, which hits all the right feelings about loving what you love and learning to accept and take part in the real world.
3. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – This musical duo seemingly came out of nowhere and exploded on the scene with witty lyricism and awesome produced tracks. Major points for becoming a huge thing without the support of a giant record label.
4. Lupita Nyong’o – All of the performances in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave are noteworthy. But for me, the shining star is Lupita Nyong’o. Once she hits the screen, you’re just entranced by her. She’s a major star in the making, and I’m looking forward to the roles she tackles next.
5. Lorde – This 17 year old girl may not be a royal, but her talent makes her a queen. Her soulful voice and relatable lyrics make her standout out amongst the pop songstresses of our day.
6. Oscar Isaac – I first took note of Isaac a couple years ago with Drive, and I’m happy to see since then that he’s found his way into interesting roles, such as his latest one in Inside Llewyn Davis. This affable new star is surely one to keep watching.
7. Dane DeHaan – There’s something about Dane DeHaan that I find captivating. His screen presence is huge and you can see that in all his films, but most especially The Place Beyond the Pines.
8. Tatiana Maslany – I LOVE HER. Being a huge fan of BBC America’s Orphan Black, there’s no doubt that I love the show’s star, Tatiana Maslany. She astounds me in every episode, effortlessly transition from character to character, as she plays a group of clones with very different personalities.
9. Haim – This band made up of three sisters is one of my favorite music discoveries of the year. Their sound is so cool and refreshing. I love their entire album and can’t wait for them to really blow up on the scene.
10. Miles Teller – Shailene Woodley may be getting the most acclaim for The Spectacular Now, but I personally found Miles Teller’s performance the most worthy of recognition. In general, Teller has been a young talent, waiting around to stretch out his abilities. He got to do that in Rabbit Hole a few years ago, but this year, he really did that in The Spectacular Now.
[tps_title]Luciana Villalba’s Top 10 Breakout Artists[/tps_title]
2. Banks
3. Dane DeHaan
4. Nico Mirallegro
5. Michael B. Jordan
6. Sam Claflin
7. Henry Cavill
8. Oscar Isaac
9. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
10. HAIM
Who makes your Top 10 Breakout Artists of the year?
Share in the comments.
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