Gen Z ihad a major come-up! This year on The Root 100, there are multiple Gen Z honorees who made waves, broke down barriers and laid the foundations for long, successful careers in sports, fashion, and entertainment. Here are the rising stars likely to become household names…if they aren’t already!
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Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is definitely on track for tennis icon status. She was a beast during the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, winning the French Open singles, her second Grand Slam, and even against Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai in a doubles match with her partner, McCartney Kessler.
Angel Reese
The Bayou Barbie, Angel Reese, has done nothing but slay in 2025. Reese was named the BET Sportswoman of the Year, made history as the first female athlete to collaborate with McDonald’s on a national meal and was the first pro athlete to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway.
Kai Cenat
You can’t deny Kai Cenat’s influence online right now. Breaking the record for most active Twitch subscribers with over a million subs, Cenat has built an audience that has a say on what’s hot in pop culture. The streamer doesn’t only hold influence online, but has also used his star power to help the disadvantaged by putting $5 million toward building schools in Nigeria.
Samara Joy
Jazz is safe in the hands of Samara Joy, who took home two Grammys this year for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her cozy Christmas EP, “A Joyful Holiday,” and Best Jazz Performance for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
Doechii
Doechii’s unique sense of style, theatrical performances, and charismatic energy have made her one of this year’s most exciting female rappers on the scene. The “Denial Is A River” artist took home the Grammy for Best Rap Album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal” and was named Billboard’s Woman of the Year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is cementing himself as Gen Z’s basketball GOAT. This year, Gilgeous-Alexander earned his first NBA Most Valuable Player award as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s point guard and signed a $285 million extension with the team.
Olandria Carthen
After coming off of this year’s U.S. season of “Love Island,” Olandria Carthen has become one of fashion’s hottest influencers, amassing over 2 million followers on Instagram. The Bama Barbie turned heads during New York Fashion Week with her runway debut for Sergio Hudson’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection and even positioned herself in the tech industry with a collaboration with Microsoft’s Copilot.
Honorable Mentions – Napheesa Collier
Napheesa Collier became a voice for player welfare in the WNBA this year. After she suffered a knee injury, Collier spoke up about the league’s inattention to player safety and stalling of bargaining negotiations, and had other players in the WNBA right behind her supporting her voice.
Taylor Townsend
Taylor Townsend showed up and showed out on the tennis courts this year by winning the Australian Open doubles titles with her partner Katerina Siniakova. Townsend also showed class when dealing with an insulting exchange with Jelena Ostapenko in the U.S. Open after the Latvian called her “uneducated,” setting an example for all young Black women of how to stand up for themselves when disrespected.
Ayo Edebiri
This year, Edibiri made history at the Emmy Awards by being the first woman to be nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress and Outstanding Directorial Achievement in the same year, not to mention that her fashion game is also on point!
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