The Future Of Young Hollywood Is Bright, Thanks To These Rising Stars
Tyriq Withers at Variety Power of Young Hollywood 2026 Presented by Disney+ held at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles At Beverly Hills on August 05, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. It’s a common misconception in Hollywood that instantaneous breakthroughs happen overnight. Academy Award winner Michael B. Jordan summed it up best a month before taking home the Oscar in March, telling Vanity Fair that the weirdest thing about Hollywood is that it “doesn’t glorify the hard work.” In other words, what looks like an overnight success is almost always the result of patience, preparation, and staying the course. The come-up deserves to be recognized. And Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event last week did just that by celebrating the entertainment industry’s next generation of rising stars. Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, the star-studded event honored Tyriq Withers with the New Leading Man Award; Tate McRae received the Triple Threat Award; Sombr was presented with the Songwriter of the Year Award; and Malachi Barton was recognized with the Rising Star Award. Year after year, Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event remains an industry highlight, not only for gathering the best of promising young talent in one room but also for creating an exhilarating atmosphere that affirms creatives that their work has an impact. In an industry that’s quick to move on to the next new and promising face, Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood creates a space (even if it’s just for one swanky evening) for emerging actors, musicians, reality stars, and digital creators to pause and truly relish in their accomplishments. It’s a rare occasion for this business to celebrate the moment they’re in, but the sense of reflection was palpable throughout the night. For a long time, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be in places like this… If I want my career to stand for anything, I hope that it’s leading with love.tyriq withers While accepting his award, Withers shared that navigating the entertainment industry has come with its challenges, often taking shape in doubt and feelings of inadequacy. “For a long time, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be in places like this,” he said. “As an artist, I grew up believing that there would be some sort of endpoint. I get to the top of a mountain, but only to realize there’s many more mountains left after that.” The actor continued, “I thought I would wake up one day and feel like I had arrived. I believed I would stop doubting myself and finally be worthy of the opportunities that were in front of me. But it’s funny because it doesn’t really work like that. I think we all can agree on this. The truth is, I’ll never be ready. The only way to is through, and the best thing I can do is show up as the best version of me.” For the actor, receiving the New Leading Man Award has a double meaning. In the literal sense, Withers has graced the big screen starring in Reminders of Him (2026), Him (2025), and I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025). In July, Deadline announced that the Atlanta actor will star opposite Isabel May for the upcoming romantic comedy, Love Love. And while it’s every actor’s dream to play the lead across projects, Withers also sees that honor as a call to action for the type of person he wants to be not just in his professional life, but personal too. “If I want my career to stand for anything, I hope that it’s leading with love,” he continued. “This award says New Leading Man. I don’t get that as a title. I get that as a challenge –an invite, if you will. An invite to keep chasing and choosing stories that ask those different questions. An invite to keep collaborating with people who make me better. An invite, most importantly, to keep staying curious.” Tate McRae speaks onstage at Variety Power of Young Hollywood 2026 Presented by Disney+ held at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles At Beverly Hills on August 05, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. McRae, who recently headlined her first Lollapalooza drenched in liquid gold, was honored for being a triple threat poised for popstardom. Known for her high-production stage spectacles, the singer, dancer, and songwriter admitted that her over-the-top persona is her superpower. “I have a slight problem with doing the most at all times,” she said. “But honestly, I think that obsession has always been the thing that drives me. When I love something, I really love it. I want to know everything about it. I want to get better at it. I pretty much let it consume my entire life.” Singer-songwriter Sombr was recognized for dominating global airwaves and charts with his breakthrough smash hits such as “Back to Friends,” “Undressed,” and “12 to 12.” Before turning 21 in July, he hit major milestones that typically take many artists decades to reach. I have a slight problem with doing the most at all times… But honestly, I think that obsession has always been the thing th
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It’s a common misconception in Hollywood that instantaneous breakthroughs happen overnight. Academy Award winner Michael B. Jordan summed it up best a month before taking home the Oscar in March, telling Vanity Fair that the weirdest thing about Hollywood is that it “doesn’t glorify the hard work.” In other words, what looks like an overnight success is almost always the result of patience, preparation, and staying the course. The come-up deserves to be recognized. And Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event last week did just that by celebrating the entertainment industry’s next generation of rising stars.
Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, the star-studded event honored Tyriq Withers with the New Leading Man Award; Tate McRae received the Triple Threat Award; Sombr was presented with the Songwriter of the Year Award; and Malachi Barton was recognized with the Rising Star Award.
Year after year, Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event remains an industry highlight, not only for gathering the best of promising young talent in one room but also for creating an exhilarating atmosphere that affirms creatives that their work has an impact. In an industry that’s quick to move on to the next new and promising face, Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood creates a space (even if it’s just for one swanky evening) for emerging actors, musicians, reality stars, and digital creators to pause and truly relish in their accomplishments. It’s a rare occasion for this business to celebrate the moment they’re in, but the sense of reflection was palpable throughout the night.
For a long time, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be in places like this… If I want my career to stand for anything, I hope that it’s leading with love.
tyriq withers
While accepting his award, Withers shared that navigating the entertainment industry has come with its challenges, often taking shape in doubt and feelings of inadequacy.
“For a long time, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be in places like this,” he said. “As an artist, I grew up believing that there would be some sort of endpoint. I get to the top of a mountain, but only to realize there’s many more mountains left after that.”
The actor continued, “I thought I would wake up one day and feel like I had arrived. I believed I would stop doubting myself and finally be worthy of the opportunities that were in front of me. But it’s funny because it doesn’t really work like that. I think we all can agree on this. The truth is, I’ll never be ready. The only way to is through, and the best thing I can do is show up as the best version of me.”
For the actor, receiving the New Leading Man Award has a double meaning. In the literal sense, Withers has graced the big screen starring in Reminders of Him (2026), Him (2025), and I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025). In July, Deadline announced that the Atlanta actor will star opposite Isabel May for the upcoming romantic comedy, Love Love. And while it’s every actor’s dream to play the lead across projects, Withers also sees that honor as a call to action for the type of person he wants to be not just in his professional life, but personal too.
“If I want my career to stand for anything, I hope that it’s leading with love,” he continued. “This award says New Leading Man. I don’t get that as a title. I get that as a challenge –an invite, if you will. An invite to keep chasing and choosing stories that ask those different questions. An invite to keep collaborating with people who make me better. An invite, most importantly, to keep staying curious.”
McRae, who recently headlined her first Lollapalooza drenched in liquid gold, was honored for being a triple threat poised for popstardom. Known for her high-production stage spectacles, the singer, dancer, and songwriter admitted that her over-the-top persona is her superpower.
“I have a slight problem with doing the most at all times,” she said. “But honestly, I think that obsession has always been the thing that drives me. When I love something, I really love it. I want to know everything about it. I want to get better at it. I pretty much let it consume my entire life.”
Singer-songwriter Sombr was recognized for dominating global airwaves and charts with his breakthrough smash hits such as “Back to Friends,” “Undressed,” and “12 to 12.” Before turning 21 in July, he hit major milestones that typically take many artists decades to reach.
I have a slight problem with doing the most at all times… But honestly, I think that obsession has always been the thing that drives me.
tate mcrae
“I write all my songs alone in my bedroom, and to be recognized in this incredible setting is humbling,” he said. “Songwriting is the reason I’m alive. My mind can go to dark places, and it feels like the only thing I can turn to is writing songs.”
He continued, “While songwriting is technically my job, it’s really my therapy and outlet. It’s my way of speaking when I don’t have the ability to do so any other way.
From his debut album “I Barely Know Her” making the top 10 on the Billboard 100 to being Grammy-nominated for Best New Artist, the musician used his acceptance speech to thank his fans for making his career possible. He said, “I’d like to thank my fans because I would not be on this stage without them. I love my fans.”
Malachi Barton rose to fame as a child actor, finding early success in shows like Stuck in the Middle, Instant Mom, and Henry Danger, among others. He’s set to star in the upcoming Disney threequel, Camp Rock 3. Despite growing up in the acting world, Barton knows greatness takes time and that it’s a journey that’ll be worth the wait.
“I love that this award says Rising Star because you’re not done rising,” he said. “You’re still climbing. You’re still learning, taking risks, and getting better. That’s exactly how I feel.”
Hosted by Mario Lopez and his son Dominic Luciano, the event also featured a live musical performance of “Pure” by British singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro.
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