By Ava Marshall
Storm Reid
You know her from A Wrinkle in Time, Euphoria, When They See Us, and her latest film Don’t Let Go, and ya’ girl is definitely living up to her name. Not only is she an incredible actress, but she also uses her platform to advocate for young girls with #Bamazing, which she founded with her mom.
Riele Downs
At just 18 years old, Riele has already made herself a household name, and we couldn’t stan more. She got her start at a young age nabbing roles in John Singleton’s Four Brothers and Malcolm D. Lee’s The Best Man Holiday. For four seasons, she’s played the witty Charlotte Page on Henry Danger and helped the show bring home a 2017 Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Kid’s Show. (And did we mention her hair always looks fire?)
Lyric Ross
We’re gon’ go ahead and call it: Lyric‘s name will be engraved on an Oscar one day. The 15-year-old This is Us star has definitely solidified herself as a hella amazing actress and has racked up award nominations (NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance by a Youth, BET Young Stars Award, Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star) and wins (Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance as an Ensemble in a Drama Series). Lyric’s role as Deja on This Is Us has sent her career skyrocketing; she also made her film debut in Canal Street, which came out earlier this year — and she’s not stopping anytime soon.
Nico Parker
After making her Hollywood debut in Disney’s live-action remake of Dumbo, this 14-year-old daughter of Thandie Newton and Ol Parker has been the talk of the young Hollywood scene. Her looks are always a vibe, and on 100, she’s definitely a fashion icon in the making.
Shahadi Wright Joseph
Since playing Little Inez in NBC’s 2016 production of Hairspray Live, Shahadi’s been consistently booked and busy. Just this year alone, she starred in Jordan Peele’s Us, alongside Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, as well as voiced Young Nala in Disney’s live-action remake of The Lion King. Can’t wait to see what she has on deck for 2020.
Saniyya Sidney
Acting since she was five, the now almost 13-year-old Saniyya has played roles alongside icons, such as Denzel Washington and Viola Davis (Fences), Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures), Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lorainne Toussaint (Fast Color), and early this year, she nabbed the lead in the sci-fi series The Passage. That is definitely a flex.
Priah Ferguson
Navigating Hollywood with humor, talent, and grace, Priah crossed all our radars after being introduced in Stranger Things 2 as Lucas’s little sister Erica. Her résumé also boasts credits, including Donald Glover’s Atlanta and The Oath with Tiffany Haddish. Most recently, this soon-to-be-13-year-old ATL native entered into a partnership with GoGo squeeZ, a yogurt and applesauce pouch company, to help parents bring back more unstructured playtime for kids. Secure that bag, sis.
Navia Robinson
Fashionable, kind, and politically aware, Navia doesn’t just use her social platforms to serve looks, she’s also all about promoting social good — from her collabs with the WE Movement and The Sasha Project LA to speaking out against gun violence. Besides killin’ it on season three of Raven’s Home, Most recently, the 14-year-old was cast as Zayla, the daughter of Shocktress and Invisibilio in the Marvel Rising special “Playing with Fire.” This triple threat will also debut a new song called “Roaring Thunder” along with the special.
Skai Jackson
Whether you know her from Disney Channel’s Jessie, Bunk’d, or her incredible clapbacks (and memes) on Twitter, the talent, humor, and style Skai encompasses is beyond dope. Ever since beginning her career in commercials, this 17-year-old has been securing bag after bag and role after role, all while still managing to be a fun social media personality and write and publish her first book — Reach For The Skai, which is set to drop on October 1.
Marsai Martin
The epitome of BOSS, Marsai stays showing us that Hollywood is her oyster. Aside from her hilarious breakout role as Diane on ABC’s Black-ish, Marsai founded Genius Productions and became the youngest executive producer in history with her film Little. Another accolade to add to her many others, including five NAACP Image Awards, Marsai took home the Young Star Award at the 2019 BET Awards. Work. It. Girl.
