25 Under 25 To Watch Out For In 2015
Our edit of the top 25 boys and girls under 25. Yes, these are officially THE hottest young things on the planet, people. Know them.
PA PhotosZoella
Age: 24
Field: Vlogger
Who? It's been a busy year for Zoella - or Zoe Sugg. The young entrepreneur launched her own range of beauty products, won a Radio 1 Teen Award for best British vlogger and was even invited by Bob Geldof to sing on Band Aid 30’s Christmas effort. Not bad for a chick who first uploaded her lifestyle vids to YouTube in 2009 to a few curious viewers. Nowadays, Zoella boats seven million followers on the site, not to mention her two million Twitter followers and 3.5 million followers on Instagram. Phew.
Interesting fact: Zoella’s first book Girl Onlinehas outsold both the debut efforts of JK Rowling and EL James.
PA PhotosShailene Woodley
Age: 23
Field: Acting
Who? Pretty young thing, Shailene made waves in Hollywood for her turn in critically-acclaimed George Clooney flick, The Descendants(2011) – a role that bagged her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Action – but really hit the big time this year starring in totes emote teen adaptation, The Fault in our Stars. Catch her next in the hotly-anticipated sequel of the sci-fi Divergentfranchise, Insurgent.
Did you know? Shailene played Kaitlin Cooper (or Mini Coop), little sister of Marissa AKA Mischa Barton on the first season of still-dear-to-our-hearts Stateside drama series, The OC.
Rex FeaturesDylan O'Brien
Age: 23
Field: Acting
Who? Easy on the eye and talented to boot, Dylan was already a regular on top stateside TV reboot, Teen Wolfbefore he set hearts soaring in the latest teen adaptation franchise, The Maze Runner. To date, he boasts 2.16m Twitter followers and – dry your eyes, ladies – is currently dating actress, Britt Robertson. Catch him next in the highly-anticipated sequel to Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.
Did you know? Dylan used to post videos on Youtube before he started acting – including ones of him lip-syncing to Spice Girls, which he refuses to delete even though they make him cringe.
PA PhotosAvicii
Age: 25
Field: DJ
Who? Avicii – real name Tim Bergling – is a Swedish spinner and producer, two-time Grammy-nominated and MTV EMA award-winning. He made his name mixing tracks alongside French electro supremo David Guetta and has since collaborated with the likes of Chris Martin, Robbie Williams and System of a Down on his eagerly-anticipated follow-up album, Stories, due for release next year.
Did you know? When asked about his stage name, he revealed: “"Avici is the lowest level of Buddhist hell." So why the extra 'i'? “Because someone on MySpace had already taken the name.”
Sam Smith
Age: 22
Field: Music
Who? British singer-songwriter Samuel rose to prominence when he bagged both, that’s BOTH, the 2014 BRIT Critics' Choice Award and the BBC's Sound of 2014 polls. He cracked America early this year when pop ballad Stay With Me smashed into the US Billboard Hot 100 at no. 2 – and has just been nominated for five Grammys, no less. He has a certain diva quality to his voice, and cites Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan as his major influences.
Did you know? Sam is third-cousin to Lily and Alfie Allen.
PA PhotosAriana Grande
Age: 21
Field: Music
Who? Nickelodeon teen queen to chart-topping urban goddess, still barely 21, Ariana has conquered theatre, TV and now music, most recently hitting the No.1 slot with Bang, Bang alongside divas Jessie J and Nicki Minaj. She has been dubbed by the press as the “mini Mariah Carey”.
Interesting fact: Her name was inspired by Princess Oriana in classic cartoon Felix the Cat.
Rex FeaturesDouglas Booth
Age: 22
Field: Acting
Who? Not only exceptionally pleasing to the eye, British actor Booth is busy earning a reputation as quite the thespian. After turns in Great Expectations, Romeo and Julietand Noah, the Kent-born became the face (and body) of Burberry alongside Emma Watson.
Did you know? Douglas rose to prominence with his portrayal of Boy George in the BBC Two drama Worried About The Boy, off his eyebrows and sporting heavy makeup for the role.
PA PhotosElizabeth Olsen
Age: 25
Field: Acting
Who? So much more than just the little sister of the sugary-sweet Olsen Twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley – Elizabeth has been busy making a name for herself in Hollywood in her own right. As well as turns in indie flicks, Kill Your Darlingsand Very Good Girl, you can catch her hitting the big, big, BIG time next year in the long-awaited Avengers sequel, Age of Ultron, playing mutant twin, the Scarlet Witch.
Did you know? Aaron Taylor-Johnson played Elizabeth’s husband in big-action blockbuster Godzillathis year, and plays her twin brother in next year’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Fun fact, eh?
PA PhotosElla Henderson
Age: 18
Field: Music
Who? Ella was just 16 when she finished sixth on the 2012 series of the X Factor, despite being a firm favourite to win. We remember her most fondly for conquering that infamous ‘F Sharp descending’ note during her rendition of Minnie Riperton’s Loving You. This year, she topped both the UK single and album charts, and it’s been announced she’s to support Take That in their 2015 nationwide arena tour. Not bad for sixth place, eh?
Did you know? Ella has a birthmark shaped like a flower, on her bum. True Story.
Rex FeaturesElyar Fox
Age: 19
Field: Music
Who? One to watch, Elyar is another pup who owes his success to the internet, gaining worldwide recognition after posting vids of his cover efforts to YouTube, as of now – the singer/songwriter boasts over 27million views, a top 5 single and a coveted second place in MTV’s Brand New for 2014 talent hunt. His debut album is expected sooooon.
Interesting fact: Elyar started playing guitar aged 10, and formed a rock band named, Just Me Again, while at school.
PA PhotosIggy Azalea
Age: 24
Field: Music
Who? Amethyst Amelia Kelly first started rapping in her native Australia aged 14, then after a career-boosting move Stateside, came to our attention back in 2011 when her controversial track, Pu$$y went viral. Her single Fancy, with its Clueless-inspired vid, hit No.1 in 2014, making Iggy only the fourth solo female rapper ever to top the US Billboard Hot 100
Interesting fact: Iggy became our hero when – after an especially-uncool Snoop Dogg claimed she looked like Marlon Wayan in White Chicks. Ouch. Iggy responded by dressing as said character for Halloween. In your face, Snoop!
Rex FeaturesJake Quickenden
Age: 25
Field: Television
Who? That almost unbearable hot one off X Factor! Sure, he of heavenly biceps/sleeve tattoos didn’t last all that long in the live shows, but we did get to see him shirtless. A lot. And he’s just come second in I’m a Celebrity…, during which we got to see him shirtless. A lot more. Now, we’re hoping he gets, like maybe, his own show? In which he’s shirtless. All the time.
Did you know? Jake’s body is truly a canvas - he has 26 tattoos in total. Yes, we’ve counted them
Rex FeaturesJoe Sugg
Age: 23
Field: Vlogger
Who? Eccentric vlogger Joe likes to make a fool of himself for our entertain via his channel, ThatcherJoe – so named because he worked as a roof thatcher prior to finding viral fame. He is most celebrated for his impressions, and is a pin-up for pretty much every teenage girl in Blighty and beyond. Currently boats over 4million views per flick on YouTube. These kids and their technology today, eh?
Interesting fact: Joe is the little bro of fellow vblogger and girl-of-the-moment, Zoella.
Rex FeaturesJonah Bobo
Age: 17
Field: Acting
Who? He melted our hearts as unlucky-in-love teen, Robbie, in Crazy, Stupid, Love– easily the best rom-com of the last decade – and gained critical acclaim for his work in Chuck Mancini adaptation, Choke, opposite Sam Rockwell and Angelica Houston, no less. He’s already been nominated for two Hollywood Young Artist awards, and just 17 years old. Bless.
Did you know? Bobo plays guitar and sings in his progressive-rock band, The Bonnie Situation. Which we’re thinking is a Pulp Fictionreference? Although that’s a movie he’s too young to remember, surely?
PA PhotosLiam Hemsworth
Age: 24
Field: Acting
Who? Younger bro of he of heavenly bod, Chris ‘Thor’ Hemsworth, Liam made his name, like so many before him, in long-running Aussie soap Neighbours, before heading stateside, bagging teen queen Miley Cyrus as a leading lady AND a role in blockbuster franchise, The Hunger Games. Miley may be no more, but Liam’s Hollywood career is still soaring, and he’s got two further movies currently in post-production.
Did you know? Liam originally auditioned for the role of Thor, in fact, he was on Director Kenneth Brannagh’s shortlist – and big bro Chris wasn’t. Just imagine that audition room… with both Hemsworth brothers dresses as Thor…
Rex FeaturesLilla Crawford
Age: 14
Field: Acting
Who? Lilla originally made her name treading the boards on Broadway as little orphan Annie, but will be making her big screen debut, this coming Christmas day, no less, playing Little Red Riding in the we-can’t-wait-to-see-it Disney ensemble extravaganza, Into The Woods, opposite the likes of Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick and Johnny Depp. Bring it!
Did you know? Lilla’s next flick, Little Miss Perfect, is definitely taking her in a darker direction. The drama centres around online pro-eating disorder subculture. Blimey.
Rex FeaturesLorde
Age: 18
Field: Music
Bio: Quirky, cool, Auckland teen, Lorde first caught everyone’s eyes and ears back in 2013 with her whimsical aural delight, Royals. The track peaked atop the US Billboard Hot 100, making her the youngest solo artist to achieve a US number-one single since Tiffany ( I Think We're Alone Now) back in ’87. In 2014, the songstress was picked to compose the soundtrack song of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part One.
Interesting fact: Lorde’s school nickname was Casper, because she’s “so white.” Kids can be so original.
PA PhotosMeghan Trainor
Age: 20
Field: Music
Who? Meghan has been writing songs since she was 11 – so it’s no wonder that her debut, body-confidence anthem All About That Bass broke all kind of records, including being the longest-running No.1 single in the UK charts of 2014, and making the Nashville songstress the first act to officially enter the Top 40 based on streaming alone. Not bad, eh?
Interesting fact: Taylor Swift is Meghan’s role model: “She’s amazing.”
PA PhotosMike Kerr
Age: 23
Field: Music
Who? Singer and bassist of Brighton, riff-heavy rock duo, Royal Blood. They made waves this year supporting the Arctic Monkeys on their UK tour, and scored a UK No.1 album with their self-titled debut this September. As well as banging out riffs the aural equivalent of a smack in the face, Mike is also a regulation hottie.
Did you know? Arctic Monkeys’ drummer Matt Helders wore a Royal Blood t-shirt when the band headlined Glastonbury in 2013.
PA PhotosQuvenzhané Wallis
Age: 11
Field: Acting
Who? Despite her oh-so young years – Quvenzhané already boasts a pretty intimidating CV already. The starlet lied about her age to bag an audition for critically acclaimed drama, Beasts of the Southern Wild ; a role that made her the youngest ever actress to receive an Academy Award Best Actress nomination. She also starred in Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave and, as if that wasn’t enough – she’s only little orphan Annie in the 2014 reboot. It’s a hard knock life, eh?
Interesting fact: Beasts of the Southern Wild Benh Zeitlin revealed it was Quvenzhané’s reading ability, loud scream, and skill of burping on command that earned her the lead role.
PA PhotosWillow Shields
Age: 14
Field: Acting
Who? You may recognise this cute-as-candy actress from her turn as everyone’s favourite ‘Little Duck’, Primrose in a little movie franchise called, The Hunger Games? Perhaps you’ve heard of it? Anyway, Willow has reprised her role as lil’ sis of Games diva, Katniss in the looong-awaited two-part conclusion, Mockingjay– and has two other flicks currently in pre-production. In other words, she’s gonna be BIG.
Did you know? Willow’s two siblings – the equally-gorgeously named Autumn and River, are also actors. Ones to watch, perhaps?
Rex FeaturesZedd
Age: 25
Field: DJ
Who? Anton Zaslavski is a Russian-German producer and DJ, drawing influences from electro house, dudstep and even classical. Bringing progressive house to the mainstream, Zedd’s beats have even hit the Top 10 on the ever-hard-to-breach Billboard Hot 100, and earned him a coveted Grammy award. He collaborated with Ariana Grande on 2014 smash, Break Free.
Did you know? Zedd’s parents are classically-trained musicians and he began playing piano at the ages of four.
Rex FeaturesBooboo Stewart
Age: 20
Field: Acting
Who? Born in Beverley Hills but of Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Blackfoot descent, beautiful Booboo made his name playing teen wolf, Seth in The Twilight Saga. Catch his turn as hot mutant Warpath in the new X-Men flicks.
Interesting fact: Booboo’s birth name is actually Nils, but all his family called him Booboo while he was growing up and the nickname stuck.
PA PhotosDakota Johnson
Age: 25
Field: Acting
Who? Bona-fide Hollywood royalty; Dakota is the daughter of Don Miami Vice Johnson and Melanie Working Girl Griffith, whilst her grandmother is Tippi Hedren (one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most tormented blondes). Need we say more? Well, she’s only bagged the starring role in the adaptation of some book, *Fifty Shades of Grey…*maybe you’ve heard of it?
Did you know? Dakota has told her mum that she is NOT to watch Fifty Shades under any circumstances. We’re guessing she told Daddy the same thing..?
PA PhotosKendall Jenner
Age: 19
Field: Modeling/Television
Who? Shaking off the Kardashian tag and making a name for herself in her own right, Kim and co.’s little sis IS the model-of-moment, prowling the hottest catwalks at last season’s shows and bagging some serious premium promos to boot, including most recently, a prestigious Estée Lauder campaign.
Did you know? Kendall’s middle name is is Nicole, so named after one of Kris' besties – the late Nicole Brown Simpson. Kris' first hubby Robert Kardashian famously represented OJ Simpson in the now infamous murder trial.
