Spin the Wheel

2025 Entertainment Breakthroughs

The year 2025 has been a remarkable period for breakthrough achievements in entertainment, with actors and musicians reaching new heights, breaking barriers, and creating work that has resonated with audiences and critics alike. These breakthroughs represent not just individual achievements, but broader shifts in the entertainment industry toward greater diversity, recognition of talent across different mediums, and the breaking down of traditional barriers. In acting, several performers achieved historic milestones that will be remembered for years to come. Owen Cooper, at just 15 years old, became the youngest male actor to win an Emmy for his debut role in "Adolescence." This achievement is remarkable not just for Cooper's age, but for the quality of his performance and the recognition it received. Cooper's win demonstrates that exceptional talent can be recognized regardless of age, and it highlights the importance of providing opportunities for young actors to showcase their abilities in meaningful roles. Tramell Tillman made history as the first Black man to win an Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in "Severance." This achievement represents a significant milestone in the recognition of Black talent in television and demonstrates the importance of diverse representation both on screen and in awards recognition. Tillman's win is part of a broader movement toward greater diversity and inclusion in entertainment, and it highlights the exceptional work being done by actors from underrepresented communities. Arden Cho achieved breakthrough success through her work in Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," voicing the character Rumi. The film became Netflix's most-watched movie, with its soundtrack producing multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits, including the No. 1 song "Golden." Cho's contribution to this success highlights the importance of voice acting and the ways in which animated content can achieve mainstream success and cultural impact. Her recognition as one of the Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025 acknowledges her role in creating a cultural phenomenon. Chase Sui Wonders delivered standout performances in "The Studio" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer," earning critical acclaim for her work. Wonders' ability to excel in different genres and types of roles demonstrates the versatility that defines breakthrough talent. Her performances showcase the depth and range of her abilities, and her recognition reflects the importance of providing opportunities for actors to demonstrate their versatility across different projects. Danny Ramirez, known for roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and "Top Gun: Maverick," captivated audiences in "The Last of Us" Season 2, extending his legacy from blockbuster films to acclaimed television. Ramirez's success across different mediums and types of projects demonstrates the ways in which talent can transcend traditional boundaries between film and television, and it highlights the increasing recognition of television as a medium for exceptional acting. These five actors were recognized as The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025, representing a diverse group of talents who have achieved significant success across different types of projects and roles. Their recognition highlights the variety of paths to success in entertainment and the importance of recognizing achievement across different genres, mediums, and types of roles. In music, 2025 has also seen significant breakthroughs. Ayra Starr made history in February 2025 with the release of "All The Love" and her achievements at the MOBO Awards, where she became the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act and also secured Best International Act. In April, she became the first Nigerian female artist to receive a Latin Diamond certification from the RIAA for her collaboration "Santa" with Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, surpassing 35 million streams. Starr's achievements represent significant milestones for African artists, female artists, and the recognition of African music in international markets. Jessica Pratt achieved recognition at the 2025 Libera Awards, where her album "Here in the Pitch" won Record of the Year, and she was recognized as Breakthrough Artist/Release. Pratt's success demonstrates the importance of independent and alternative music and the ways in which exceptional work can achieve recognition regardless of mainstream commercial success. Her achievement highlights the diversity of the music industry and the variety of paths to recognition and success. Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2025 BET Awards, securing five awards, including Best Male Hip Hop Artist, solidifying his influence in the music industry. Lamar's continued success and recognition demonstrate the ways in which established artists can continue to achieve breakthroughs and maintain relevance, while also highlighting the importance of recognizing sustained excellence in addition to new achievements. These breakthroughs in entertainment reflect broader trends in the industry. There's increasing recognition of talent from diverse backgrounds, with achievements by actors and musicians from underrepresented communities receiving well-deserved recognition. This trend toward greater diversity and inclusion is crucial for the health and relevance of the entertainment industry, and it ensures that audiences see themselves represented in the content they consume. The recognition of achievement across different mediums is also significant. The fact that actors can achieve breakthroughs in both film and television, and that musicians can achieve success across different genres and markets, demonstrates the fluidity of contemporary entertainment and the ways in which talent can transcend traditional boundaries. The age diversity in these breakthroughs is also noteworthy. From Owen Cooper at 15 to established artists like Kendrick Lamar, the entertainment industry is recognizing talent across age ranges, providing opportunities for both emerging and established artists to achieve new levels of success and recognition. The global nature of these breakthroughs is particularly significant. Achievements by artists like Ayra Starr demonstrate the ways in which entertainment is becoming increasingly global, with talent from around the world achieving recognition and success in international markets. This globalization enriches the entertainment industry and provides audiences with access to diverse voices and perspectives. As we reflect on 2025's entertainment breakthroughs, we see a year marked by historic achievements, barrier-breaking success, and recognition of diverse talent. These breakthroughs represent not just individual accomplishments, but broader progress in the entertainment industry toward greater diversity, inclusion, and recognition of excellence across different mediums, genres, and backgrounds. The achievements of 2025 will inspire future generations of actors and musicians, demonstrating that success is possible regardless of age, background, or the type of project. These breakthroughs also highlight the importance of providing opportunities for diverse talent and recognizing excellence wherever it appears. As we look toward the future, the breakthroughs of 2025 provide a foundation for continued progress in entertainment. The recognition of diverse talent, the breaking down of barriers, and the celebration of excellence across different mediums and genres suggest a future for entertainment that is more inclusive, diverse, and representative of the world we live in.