AP Breakthrough Entertainers

Kris Bowers poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, in Los Angeles. Bowers has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2023. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

The AP names its five Breakthrough Entertainers of 2023

This year’s five Associated Press Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year includes actors and musicians who flowered in 2023.

Ayo Edebiri poses for a portrait, Thursday, June 29, 2023, in West Hollywood, Calif. Edebiri has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Ayo Edebiri is rising to the top, and she’s bringing her friends along

Kris Bowers poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, in Los Angeles. Bowers has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2023. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Kris Bowers, quickly scoring the title of Hollywood’s favorite composer

Renee Rapp poses for a portrait on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. Rapp has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Reneé Rapp has always known what she wants — and isn’t afraid to say no

Charles Melton poses for a portrait on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. Melton has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Charles Melton thinks it’s good it took years to make it in Hollywood

Lily Gladstone poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in New York. Gladstone has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2023. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)

Lily Gladstone is standing on the cusp of history

Lily Gladstone is the anguished heart and compassionate conscience of Martin Scorsese’s Osage tragedy “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

Sadie Sink poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in New York. Sink has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Sadie Sink smiles through drama

NEW YORK (AP) — When Sadie Sink joined the cast of “Stranger Things” in its second season, the then 14-year-old was already a fan of Netflix’s megahit show.

Tobe Nwigwe poses for a portrait on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Houston. Nwigwe has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Tobe Nwigwe lives with purpose

NEW YORK (AP) — Tobe Nwigwe didn’t expect to be nominated for best new artist after he submitted his music to the Grammys, but he’s learned to embrace the unexpected.

Simone Ashley poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, in New York. Ashley has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022.(Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Simone Ashley finds her voice

DETROIT (AP) — Simone Ashley was busy working and traveling when “Bridgerton” debuted on Netflix in December 2020 and was an immediate smash with viewers.

Iman Vellani poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2022, in Dana Point, Calif. Vellani has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Iman Vellani, in marvelous form

DETROIT (AP) — With countless auditions, constant rejection and a calendar that’s often in flux, acting professionally can be anxiety-inducing.

Stephanie Hsu poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2022, in New York. Hsu has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022. (Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Stephanie Hsu, now everywhere

NEW YORK (AP) — Dressed as Elvis and nonchalantly walking a pig on a leash, Stephanie Hsu made a memorable big screen impression this year.

Daryl McCormack poses for a portrait on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 in London. McCormack has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022. (Photo by David Cliff/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Daryl McCormack’s grand year

Daryl McCormack is having a busy and rewarding year with appearances on TV in brutal period drama “Peaky Blinders” and dark comedy thriller “Bad Sisters.”

Tenoch Huerta poses for a portrait on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Huerta has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Tenoch Huerta, a global hero

Audiences watching “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” have been greeted with an exhilarating new superhero in Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta.

This combination of photos shows AP's 2022 breakthrough entertainers of the year. Actor/recording artist Joaquina Kalukango, top row from left, actor Tenoch Huerta, actor Danielle Deadwyler, actor Daryl McCormack, middle row from left, actor Iman Vellani, actor Sadie Sink, actor Simone Ashley, bottom row from left, actor Stephanie Hsu, and actor/recording artist Tobe Nwigwe. (AP Photo)

The AP names its nine Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022

This year’s nine Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year includes actors and musicians who flowered in 2022.

Joaquina Kalukango poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, in New York. Kalukango has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Joaquina Kalukango, in paradise

NEW YORK (AP) — Winning a Tony Award as best lead actress in a musical cemented Joaquina Kalukango’s place in the Broadway firmament.

Danielle Deadwyler poses for a portrait on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in West Hollywood, Calif. Deadwyler has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Danielle Deadwyler goes all in

In Chinonye Chukwu’s “Till,” Danielle Deadwyler gives one of the most powerful and subtly expressive performances of the year.

This combination photo shows the eight AP breakthrough entertainers of the year, from left, Damson Idris, Anupam Tripathi, Rachel Zegler, Rauw Alejandro, Adrienne Warren, Saweetie, Simu Liu, and Sydney Sweeney. (AP Photo)

The AP names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021

If 2020 was a pandemic-induced pause, 2021 was when things started up again, albeit slowly and timidly.

Sydney Sweeney poses for a portrait in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2021. Sweeney was named one of eight breakthrough entertainers of the year by the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Sydney Sweeney is taking charge

LOS ANGELES (AP) — As she pursued her dream to become an actor, Sydney Sweeney’s family lost their home, her parents got divorced and she spent countless nights crying herself to sleep because of the constant rejection.

Indian actor Anupam Tripathi, who starred in the Netflix series "Squid Game", gestures during an interview in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. Tripathi was named one of AP's breakthrough entertainers of the year. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon).

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Anupam Tripathi of ‘Squid Game’

Anupam Tripathi said his grandfather sometimes read his palm and told him he’d be rich one day. He jokingly responded: “Where is my money!”

Singer/rapper Rauw Alejandro, named one of AP's breakthrough entertainers of the year, poses for a portrait at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas on Nov. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Rauw Alejandro, higher level

He started off wanting to be a star soccer player, but instead Rauw Alejandro has become a breakout Latin music sensation.

Rapper Saweetie poses for a portrait at Nightingale Plaza in Los Angeles on Dec. 2, 2021. Saweetie was named one of AP's breakthrough entertainers of the year. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Icy queen Saweetie ready to win

Bay Area-rapper Saweetie wants to win a Grammy for the West Coast. Nominated for best new artist and best rap song, the icy queen with the sharp lyrics has taken the rap game by storm and has been named one of the Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021.

Adrienne Warren poses for a portrait in New York on Oct. 30, 2021. Warren was named as breakthrough entertainer of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Adrienne Warren, Broadway baby

NEW YORK (AP) — Adrienne Warren had studiously avoided ever touching a Tony Award her entire stage career. Her motto was that she’d only hold one if she deserved to.

Simu Liu poses for a portrait in New York on Nov. 22, 2021. Liu was named as a breakthrough entertainer of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: ‘Shang-Chi’ star Simu Liu

NEW YORK (AP) — When little-known actor Simu Liu tweeted in 2014 asking Marvel for an Asian American superhero, he wasn’t vying for a job — he was venting at Hollywood’s status quo.

Rachel Zegler poses for a portrait on Sunday, Nov. 28 2021, in New York. Zegler was named one of eight breakthrough entertainers of the year. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Rachel Zegler’s baptism by fire

In another timeline, Rachel Zegler would have had her breakthrough moment last December.

That was when Steven Spielberg’s rendition of “West Side Story” was supposed to open and introduce the world to the New Jersey high school student who responded to an open call on Twitter and beat out thousands for the part of Maria. But the pandemic had other plans.

Actor Damson Idris poses for a portrait in Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2021. Idris was named one of eight breakthrough entertainers of the year by the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: ‘Snowfall’ star Damson Idris

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Damson Idris transformed from his real life British-speaking Nigerian persona into a canny drug kingpin character with a West Coast accent on FX’s popular crime drama “Snowfall.”

Finneas O'Connell poses at his home in Los Angeles on Friday Dec. 4 2020. O'Connell has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2020. (Photo by Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Finneas finds his lane in music

NEW YORK (AP) — Onstage, Finneas and Billie Eilish come across like a seasoned, veteran musical duo.

Sarah Cooper poses for a portrait in the Brooklyn borough of New York, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. Cooper has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2020. (Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer Sarah Cooper: TikTok to Netflix

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The video couldn’t have been simpler: A woman in her apartment, lip-syncing audio of President Donald Trump as he expounded on possible coronavirus treatments.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II poses for a portrait on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in New York. Abdul-Mateen has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2020. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: Dreamer

NEW YORK (AP) — If Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was told nearly a decade ago that he’d trade in reading blueprints for movie scripts while he worked as a city planner in the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community, he’d start checking his watch.

Actress Daisy Edgar Jones poses for portraits in a north London park, London, Tuesday, Nov 24, 2020. Jones has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2020. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Daisy Edgar-Jones helps connect

LONDON (AP) — When 22-year-old Daisy Edgar-Jones ditched her British accent for the dulcet Irish tones of Marianne in “Normal People,” the actor’s stardom hit a new trajectory.

Anya Taylor-Joy poses for a portrait in Belfast's Titanic area in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Taylor-Joy has been named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

AP Breakthrough Entertainer Anya Taylor-Joy living in Narnia

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a span of seven months this year alone, Anya Taylor-Joy played a meddling British brat in “Emma,” a Russian mutant with teleportation powers in the latest “X-Men” film, and an American orphan who turns out to be a chess phenom who can checkmate grown men by the time she’s 8 in

This combination photo shows The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2020, from left, Sarah Cooper, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Anya Taylor-Joy, Finneas O'Connell and Daisy Edgar Jones. (AP Photo)

The AP names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2020

Making a breakthrough in pop culture during any year is hard. Doing it during a global pandemic is an entirely different thing.

Kaitlyn Dever poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Novemebr 6, 2019, in New York, NY. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP)

PHOTOS: Kaitlyn Dever

AP Breakthrough Entertainers 2017

For the first time, The Associated Press is spotlighting key entertainers who had that breakthrough moment in 2017.

Kumail Nanjiani, co-writer and star of the film "The Big Sick," poses for a portrait at his home in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

PHOTO GALLERY: Kumail Nanjiani

SZA poses for a portrait on Monday, December 4, 2017, in New York, New York. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)

PHOTO GALLERY: SZA