Grammy Award-winning singer Tyla, actor Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things, and actor Sam Nivola from The White Lotus will be honored at the 2025 Power of Young Hollywood party on August 7. This invite-only event will be hosted by comedian Alec Flynn and presented by SANDISK, bringing together entertainment industry leaders to recognize emerging actors, musicians, and content creators featured in Variety’s annual Power of Young Hollywood Issue.
Highlighting Exceptional Young Professionals in Entertainment
The party will also feature this year’s Young Hollywood Impact Report, which showcases outstanding young talent across acting, music, and content creation. Additionally, Variety will reveal its New Leaders list, spotlighting rising professionals shaping the future of entertainment. Attendees can expect an exclusive evening with a red carpet, cocktail hour, and the traditional annual class photo of the honorees.
Tyla’s Rise as an Amapiano Star and Global Music Icon
Tyla, a South African singer renowned for her blend of pop and R&B infused with amapiano rhythms, reached international acclaim with her 2023 hit Water. This song earned her a Grammy Award, double platinum certification, and the record as the highest-charting African female soloist on the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album TYLA, released in March 2024, generated 12 singles that appeared on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Chart and surpassed one billion streams on Spotify within three months.
In 2024, Tyla solidified her status with performances at the Paris Olympics and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, alongside multiple wins at the VMAs, BET Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. Her deluxe album TYLA+ followed in October, led by the single Push 2 Start. Beyond music, she has become a fashion figurehead, appearing on the covers of British Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan, all while championing the global growth of amapiano. With new projects planned, Tyla’s influence continues to rise.
Finn Wolfhard’s Diverse Career in Acting and Music
Finn Wolfhard is recognized for his role as Mike Wheeler in Netflix’s Stranger Things, but his talents extend to music and directing. Recent acting roles include A24’s The Legend of Ochi, the period drama Saturday Night, and the upcoming Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Wolfhard also made his feature directorial debut with Hell of a Summer, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before its spring 2025 release.
His notable filmography includes When You Finish Saving the World, Ghostbusters: Afterlife—for which he earned a Saturn Award—It: Chapter Two, The Goldfinch, and The Turning. Beyond acting, he launched his solo music career with the album Happy Birthday in June 2024, showcasing his multifaceted artistry.
Sam Nivola’s Emerging Presence in Television and Film
Recognized as one of Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch in 2022, Sam Nivola gained attention for his role in The White Lotus Season 3 and the Netflix series The Perfect Couple alongside Nicole Kidman. He recently completed work on the Hulu pilot Phony with Connie Britton and stars in Driver’s Ed, set to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, starring alongside Molly Shannon and Kumail Nanjiani.
Nivola’s credits also include Noah Baumbach’s White Noise and Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, both Netflix projects. His earlier work encompasses the BBC/Amazon limited series The Pursuit of Love and his acting debut on HBO’s Doll & Em, establishing him as a versatile young actor steadily climbing the entertainment ranks.
Additional Honors and Event Features Include Variety Music Innovator Award
Multi-genre artist PinkPantheress will be recognized as the Variety Music Innovator of the Year, presented by SANDISK. Known for mixing Pop, Drum and Bass, R&B, and Garage music, she has earned BRIT Award nominations, successfully sold out international tours, and released acclaimed works like Heaven Knows and Fancy That. Joining the event coverage, Drew Afualo, host of The Comment Section podcast and New York Times bestselling author, will serve as SANDISK’s correspondent on the red carpet.
Industry Leaders Praise the Next Generation of Hollywood Talent
Variety‘s Young Hollywood issue is one of our favorite tentpole franchises, and our class of 2025 represents the future of the industry,
said Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh.
We are thrilled to toast our cover stars Tyla, Finn Wolfhard and Sam Nivola, and to publish our must-read ‘40 Under 40’ list celebrating Hollywood’s new power players.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety Co-Editor-in-Chief
Event Sponsorship and Participation Details
The 2025 Power of Young Hollywood event is presented by SANDISK, featuring a branded activation with claw machines dispensing blind box prizes, adding a playful element to the evening. Cash App serves as Premier Partner, and Eternal Water is the Official Water Partner. This celebration underscores Variety’s commitment to highlighting and nurturing the rising stars and professionals shaping the entertainment industry’s future.
