GQ’s 13 Breakout Stars of 2026

Sometimes it’s fun to be early to the party. GQ launched the Breakouts portfolio in 2014 to celebrate the Hollywood upstarts who were poised to do big things. And not to brag, but we nailed it; that first group included Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Eddie Redmayne, and the late, great Chadwick Boseman. Over the ensuing years, we featured plenty more soon-to-be-superstars: Rami Malek. Brie Larson. Daniel Kaluuya. Riz Ahmed. Barry Keoghan. The kids from Stranger Things, when they were still kids. The cast of Succession before Succession became everyone’s favorite show.In 2017, we put a baby-faced Timothée Chalamet on the list for his turn in Call Me by Your Name. (Our global entertainment director, Dana Mathews, fondly recalls him turning to her during the Man of the Year Party and saying, “This is the best party I’ve ever been to in my life.”) Since then, Chalamet has appeared on three GQ covers, earned four Oscar nominations, and become a household name (and maybe been to a few more great parties).We took a few years off (okay, fine, seven), but 2026 feels like exactly the right time to revive GQ’s Breakouts portfolio—now through a wider lens. Yes, though we’ve got eyes on Hollywood’s next big things—like, say, Sly Stallone doppelgänger Anthony Ippolito; Gen Z class clown Owen Thiele, of Adults; Misty Green’s astounding leading woman, Rosalind Eleazar—not everyone is working the camera. We’re excited to introduce you to the West Coast’s hottest up-and-coming rapper in AZ Chike and put you on to Fcukers, whose debut album, packed with rowdy electro-pop bangers, made them first in our hearts and on our pregaming playlists. We’ve also got podcaster and journalist Pablo Torre, whose relentless reporting upended a $7.8 billion NBA franchise, and Jordan Firstman, an internet-born comedian who wrote and directed a film that commanded a lengthy standing ovation from Cannes audiences (right after they finished crying).Point is, our Breakouts class of 2026 brings together 13 fully minted stars who did something that feels increasingly impossible: They captured our attention in a time when it feels like attention is more fleeting than ever. Welcome to their party.Dress by Dior. Shoes by Jimmy Choo. Mask from Palace Costume Co. Kaia GerberAge: 25Breakout moment: Playing the queen bee on Ryan Murphy’s ’80s glam fever dream The Shards.—————What are the fan interactions like post-Shards?It’s a different kind of attention that I actually prefer. Because for so long I was getting attention, but not for a specific thing. And that was confusing and kind of messed with my head a bit. I was really young and people knew who I was, but I couldn’t really point to the work that they knew. And so it’s really fun for me to have people [now say], “I watched The Shards,” or “I watched Bottoms,” and then we have something to talk about.With you having your book club, and this being GQ, what books would you recommend for men?Infinite Jest—no, I’m kidding, they’ve already read it, all of them. A Man’s Place by Annie Ernaux is very good and easily digestible. I think Just Kids is wonderful. What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. That one’s really great. Oh, and this is so classic, but Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger is really good. I know guys—male actors especially—love The Catcher in the Rye.I have to ask how the secret Letterboxd account is going.I got really worried the other day because I started getting a lot of followers. It was two days of so many followers, and I was like, “Oh my God, I’ve been doxxed.” The last thing I logged was Hitch. My top four are A Woman Under the Influence, The Dark Knight, Phantom Thread, and Eternal Sunshine. My Odyssey review has 112 likes. I don’t care how many followers I have on Instagram, how many likes I get. Letterboxd is truly a hit of adrenaline every time someone likes my review. —Frazier TharpeJacket and jeans by Ralph Lauren Collection. Necklace by Chopard. Ring by Chanel Fine Jewelry. On Wise: Jacket by Isabel Marant. Top by Gucci. Briefs by Araks. Boots by Herbert Levine. Sunglasses by McQueen. On Walker Lewis: Jacket by Balenciaga. T-shirt by Isabel Marant. Jeans by Gucci. Boots by Timberland. Sunglasses by Tom Ford. Jewelry, his own. Fcukers (a.k.a. Shanny Wise and Jackson Walker Lewis)Ages: Wise, 28 | Walker Lewis, 29Breakout Moment: The NYC duo’s 2026 debut album, Ö, featuring indie-sleazy hits like “If You Wanna Party, Come Over to My House” and “Beatback.”—————Your album touches on a lot of sounds from the ’90s and early 2000s, including trip-hop, drum ’n’ bass, and electro-clash. What discredited genre are you going to revive next? Is it time for ska?Wise: If you ask me!Walker Lewis: It’s always time for ska.This summer you opened for Harry Styles at a soccer stadium in Brazil in front of about 70,000 people. How do you prepare for something like that?Wise: That was probably the most surreal thing I’ve ever experienced. We’re like, “This is what it feels to be like Led Zeppelin.”So was São Paulo feeling you?Walker Lewis: It’s funny—a reel permeated my Instagram from a Brazilian influencer, and it was like, “Who is this controversial band that everyone’s arguing about opening for Harry Styles?” But I think by the last show, people got it.Do you have a dream collaborator?Wise: Jerry Garcia.Best live show you saw this year?Walker Lewis: Easy. The Cure. It’s unbelievable, to see somebody still sound that good and be able to play for two hours, and you know every single song.Was there a moment this year where you felt like, “We’ve made it”?Walker Lewis: When I was getting a root canal done and the nurse said, “Can I get a photo with you after?” I was like, “You couldn’t have asked before?” —Alex Pappademas(from l.) On Firstman: All clothing by Tom Ford. Earrings, his own. On Walker Lewis: Jacket by Louis Vuitton Men’s. Shirt and sunglasses by Tom Ford. Tie by Our Legacy. Necklace, his own. On Wise: Top and pants by McQueen. Robe by Dolce & Gabbana. Pants by Lu’u Dan. Watch by Cartier. Earring, his own. Belmont CameliAge: 28Breakout Moment: The series Off Campus, as the hottest fictional hockey player from this year’s hottest fictional hockey show.—————What was your best day of 2026?I cannot shut up about this, but it has to be throwing the first pitch out for the White Sox. I will remember that forever.Was it nerve-racking? “What if I fuck up this one throw?”Yeah, it was. And I hadn’t thrown a baseball in a really long time.How have you been processing the change of going from a relatively normal guy to a star?I look forward to the moment where I get to really reflect and digest. Next month I have some time off, and I’m going to go home and eat sandwiches at my mom’s house and take my grandma for a walk. “Go on a walk with my grandma”.… That’s a weird way to put it.Do you consider yourself a heartthrob?I’m, like, an idiot. I’m a full goofball. Garrett Graham is the heartthrob. To me, I’m just like, “I’m Bel.” And in my head, those are very different things. I’m flattered that people can associate me with heartthrob status, but no, I don’t wake up in the morning feeling like a heartthrob.Besides Off Campus, are there any other book adaptations you’re dying to star in?I mean, I always wanted to play Holden Caulfield, but who knows? —Trishna RikhyJacket and pants by Prada. Shirt by Brioni. Pocket square by Charvet. Belt by Artemas Quibble. Sunglasses by Jacques Marie Mage. Necklace and ring by David Yurman. Jacket by McQueen. Shirt by Factor’s. Pants by Versace. Boots by Tom Ford. Sunglasses (throughout) by Louis Vuitton Men’s. Earrings (throughout), his own. Owen ThieleAge: 30Breakout Moment: Being the infectiously charismatic friend-to-all on FX’s zoomer sitcom Adults.—————Do you have a pinch-me moment from this year?Sadie Sink knew who I was, and that was kind of cool. I just love her. She’s so talented and so adorable. It’s like meeting the queen before she’s the queen.Do you watch your own fan edits?I do watch the fan edits. They’re fun. Some of them pick the worst photos of me, and I’m like, “This is a hate crime, but thank you for putting it on TikTok.”What’s the best advice someone gave you about getting into this industry?I got two very smart pieces of advice. One was, “Run. Don’t do this. Save yourself.” And then the other person said, “Stick with it.” I’m kind of doing both. I am simultaneously sticking with it and trying my hardest, but also I’m like, Once you have a win, you do have to celebrate it and run as far away as you can and hide.Did you splurge on anything to celebrate the year?I bought a bag from The Row…which looks like—and I say this with love—it could be $20, but it’s the most expensive thing I own. And I did this because I went shopping with Hailey Bieber, and when you’re shopping with Hailey Bieber you buy things you think you can afford but you probably can’t…and now it’s too late to return. It’s a beautiful bag—it’s quiet luxury, babe. It’s so quiet you don’t know it’s The Row. —F.TJacket and pants by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. Boots by Giuseppe Zanotti. Sunglasses (throughout) by Louis Vuitton Men’s. Earrings (throughout), his own. Ring by Bvlgari. Dress by Bottega Veneta. Shoes by Herbert Levine. Sunglasses by Celine. Rosalind EleazarAge: 38Breakout moment: Her riveting performance as the title character in Chris Rock’s Misty Green (and her role in Slow Horses).—————You get an incredible movie-star introduction in this movie. What did it feel like to see your face and that title card on the big screen for the first time?I mean, the first time I watched it, I just thought, Oh—you’re going to be in every frame. [Laughs]As a British actor, what are the hardest words to say with an American accent?[In an American accent] “Murderer.” Mur-der-rer. I think every Brit finds that hard. I was like, “Can I say ’killer’ instead?” And “mirror.” It’s when you’ve got a double r. But I had a great dialect coach.Dream collaborator, living or dead?I would’ve loved to have been in a scene with Philip Seymour Hoffman. That would’ve been my dream. And I would love to work with Sandra Hüller.Do you remember what you were doing this time last year?I was onstage with Ralph Fiennes. We finished Misty Green—I did an overnight shoot on Friday into Saturday morning, got on a plane, arrived in London on Sunday, and went straight into rehearsals with Ralph. It was a pretty mad summer.Best single day of this year?I was getting ready before the Misty Green premiere [at the Toronto International Film Festival]. And my mom came down. She sat there and she was just sending pictures and she just had tears in her eyes. Just seeing this whole period at TIFF—for her, it’s her little girl. And every now and again, I would just look at her and she was just happy and in awe in a way. It warmed my heart. —A.P.Dress by Gucci. Hosiery by Wolford. Earrings by Cartier. Shirt and pants by Brioni. Bow tie and cummerbund, stylist’s own. Vintage watch by Rolex from Foundwell. Vintage cufflinks by Cartier from Foundwell. Earring, his own. Jordan FirstmanAge: 35Breakout moment: The Cannes hit Club Kid, which he wrote, directed, and starred in as a party promoter navigating unexpected parenthood.—————The first time I saw this movie, I’d never heard that many people crying in a screening room. Do you cry when you watch the film?I still do, yeah, at the phone call scene at the end. But it feels very distant from me. I feel like I’m watching it more as an observer now, which is nice, and I feel different than when I made it. I was such an open wound.So what was it like to make a movie from that open-wound place and then see it celebrated at the world’s most prestigious film festival?Cannes was such an emotional experience. I’m 35, and I’ve always known that I had something to say and I knew how to say it, but I’ve never been given the opportunity. So, honestly, to feel like I was being seen and understood was like 20 years of validation that I didn’t get. And so something shifted, that week, in me. I’ve noticed myself not having to use humor as a shield anymore, as much. I’m less afraid to be vulnerable—and not just in my public life but in my personal life too.You put yourself out there and you didn’t die.Of course, you shouldn’t need the validation of anyone to feel like you’re worthy, but let’s be real.…Most inspiring movie you saw this year?What gagged me this year? I would say, honestly, as a statement of ambition, the Javis’ movie [La Bola Negra]. You marvel at it because you’re like, “How the fuck did they pull this off?” To even want to tell that complex of a story, and to just do it and go balls to the wall, is very inspiring.You ended up getting a seven-minute ovation after your Cannes screening. What goes through your mind as that’s happening?I was like, “This is too long. It’s embarrassing now.” —A.P.Jacket and pants by Canali. Shirt by Amiri. Boots by Alessandro Vasini. Tie by Husbands. Pablo TorreAge: 41Breakout moment: Reporting on how the Steve Ballmer–owned Clippers were allegedly funny with money, on his podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out, leading to one of the most severe team penalties in sports history.—————What’s the most surreal moment that’s happened as this whole investigation unfolded?Two days ago, I walked into this event that The New York Times was holding…it was like the 175th birthday party [for the paper]. I walk out the elevator and literally the first person I see is [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver. I won’t say exactly what he told me, but the tenor of our conversation was like, This is the HBO series adaptation of what this moment would be.Well, who’s playing you in the inevitable HBO limited series then?As a first-generation American—my parents are from the Philippines—there’s always been a dream of mine to be cast as a white person. So…Andrew Garfield, come on. Let’s do this.So what’s next for you?The funny part is that I’m not even done reporting this story yet. The federal government is now investigating the Clippers, and so I’m now investigating the government’s investigation in the era of Trump too, which is like its own rabbit hole inside of a rabbit hole, which is fucking wild. But at the same time, it feels like now our number is listed in the phone book…actual other NBA owners are calling me up saying, “Can you look into this?”What advice would you give to a fellow journalist who finds themselves in the eye of a media storm?It’s hard not to be sappy about this, but the lesson I learned is that if you’re telling the truth, you can walk into any room and feel like that as a suit of armor. Even when the person you’re investigating is one of the 10 richest people in the world. —F.T.Coat by Michael Kors. Vintage pajamas from Palace Costume Co. Socks by London Sock Company. Glasses by Jacques Marie Mage. Necklaces (throughout), his own. Stavros HalkiasAge: 37Breakout moments: Stealing scenes as a ’70s Provincetown line cook in the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony, and his stand-up special Uncle Stav.—————Craziest famous person you met this year who knew your work?I just did The Drew Barrymore Show. That experience was so magical. I was so nervous to be around Drew Barrymore. I’ve done a lot of cool shit, and that’s the one where I was like, “I am actually nervous to the point where I’m not a professional. I’m just a stammering little boy who’s with the girl he had a crush on from The Wedding Singer when he was a fat 10-year-old, and I’m trying to keep it together.”Best single day you had in 2026?Last week I allowed myself an aimlessly wander around New York City day. Got a little stoned, walked around, stumbled into a movie. Walked along the water on the West Side. Sat down to a little random omakase. Rode a Citi Bike around. I call it the hero’s journey, where you leave your home at, whatever, 11 a.m. ,with just the bare provisions, and you’re not allowed to go home. You just have to keep moving and keep doing stuff.What’s next?I filmed this Judd Apatow movie The Comeback King, with Glen Powell, Cristin Milioti, Madelyn Cline. That comes out in February. I’m excited to do stand-up—for fun, not to explicitly work on another hour. I’m excited to go back to clubs and just like, “Can I be the funniest person in this club tonight?” And that’s my only goal.To be honest with you, the last three years, it’s [been] all go. But you got to have these big years, or else GQ doesn’t talk to you at the end of the year. —A.P.On Halkias: Jacket and pants by Brooks Brothers. Shirt by Many. Shoes by Louis Vuitton Men’s. Sunglasses by Valention. On Torre: Jacket by Tom Ford. Shirt by Factor’s. Pants by Louis Vuitton Men’s. Shoes by G.H. Bass. Sunglasses by Jacques Marie Mage. Ring, his own. Shirts and pants by Dunhill. Underwear by Calvin Klein. Earrings (throughout), his own. AZ ChikeAge: 31Breakout moment: Storming the West Coast rap scene with collabs from Pharrell Williams and Tyler, the Creator on his major-label debut album, No Rest for the Wicked.—————What was a moment this year when you felt like, “Man, I really did it”?Not like I made it, but I have arrived. We went to Magic City on a Monday for the first time. They were playing the fuck out my records in that motherfucker. The DJ played “Look Like My Mama” in the strip club. You ain’t never heard Tyler, the Creator get played in a strip club. We crossing worlds that’s never been crossed before.Have you had any surreal interactions with OG rappers who know who you are now?The day before the album came out, we were in Area 29 in Houston, doing our thing. Regular night, it ain’t too packed, throwing money. They tap me on my shoulder like, “My boy want to holler at you.” They take me upstairs to this private section, pull the curtain back…it’s Travis Scott.It was epic, bro. N-gga came out from behind the curtain like Batman. The light hid half his face. He said, “I fuck with everything you got going on.” We go back down to that section, 15 minutes pass, then one of the owners came and grabbed me: “Look, look, look.” Travis was up there, playing [Chike’s song] “Packed Up.” —F.T.Shirt by Lu’u Dan. Pants by Valentino. Bracelet by Cartier. Anthony IppolitoAge: 27Breakout moment: Being a dead ringer for Sly Stallone in I Play Rocky, the film about…Sly Stallone playing Rocky.—————What were you doing this time last year?In the thick of prep. I was training at Gleason’s Gym with Stephan James, who plays Carl Weathers. We were beating the crap out of each other and figuring out how to box. I had gained a bunch of weight, and I was trying to actually cut a few pounds, so I was in those sweatsuits, like a garbage-bag type thing. On the way to the gym, I would listen to Stallone and on the way home.… Everything I could find up to 1980, 1985, every piece of Stallone footage that existed.What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from someone in the industry?I [asked] Seth Rogen, “Dude, how do you handle this stuff?” And he said, “Just go with the flow.” It was such a simple answer, but from somebody like him, I was like, He’s got a good grip on this. The simplicity of it landed.You’re playing Stallone, but who are your other GOATs? Whose footsteps are you trying to follow?Philip Seymour Hoffman is one. Chadwick Boseman. Christian Bale, Heath Ledger.What’s your favorite Rocky movie?[The first Rocky] is the best movie—but when I was younger, the one that caught my eye was four. Rocky IV is nuts. —F.T.Jacket by Versace. Shirt by 73London. Pants by Umit Benan. Earring (throughout), his own. (from l.) On Ambrossi: All clothing by Gucci. Shoes by Christian Louboutin. Pocket square by Brioni. Sunglasses by Ahlem. On Calvo: Jacket, pants, and boots by Tom Ford. Scarf, stylist’s own. Sunglasses by Jacques Marie Mage. (from l.) On Ambrossi: Jacket and pants by Chanel. Shirt by Factor’s. Shoes by Marsèll. Pin by Cartier. On Calvo: All clothing, tie, and shoes by Ralph Lauren Purple Label. Watch by Cartier. Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo (a.k.a. Los Javis)Ages: Ambrossi, 42 | Calvo, 35Breakout moment: Cowriting and directing La Bola Negra, the gay Spanish historical epic loosely based on an unfinished Federico García Lorca play.——————————————La Bola Negra unfolds on a massive historical canvas. How important was it to make this story into something that felt big?Javier Ambrossi: Very important. We understood that sometimes people expect LGBTQ+ stories to be niche or for a specific audience. We wanted to do a queer story about universal love.It’s also the first historical epic where a Grindr ping signals a decades-long time jump.Ambrossi: It’s a way to put in context how different we are. We change a lot, and the story of our grandparents and our story is very different.Javier Calvo: What do we do with the freedom our ancestors fought for, and died for?You’ve got two screen legends in this film—Glenn Close and Penélope Cruz. Who’s left on your list of dream collaborators?Calvo: Isabelle Huppert. For me, she’s everything.Ambrossi: I will go with Julia Roberts. My Best Friend’s Wedding is a very important queer story. The relationship between a woman and a gay man—it was the first time I saw that onscreen. And Rupert Everett was so bold, and I could tell in his eyes that he was gay. I was a kid and I was like, “He’s not faking it.”How did you celebrate when you won best director at Cannes?Calvo: We went to sleep.Ambrossi: I put the award on the table and went to sleep. And then Javi came over at 8 a.m.…Calvo: Like, “My turn!”Ambrossi: “Give me the award!” And he took it! —A.P.(from l.) On Ippolito: Sunglasses by Jacques Marie Mage. Necklace by Cartier. On Chike: Shirt and pants by Brioni. Sunglasses by Tom Ford. On Thiele: Jacket by McQueen. Shirt by Factor’s. Pants by Versace. PRODUCTION CREDITS:Photography by Danielle LevittStyling by Brandon TanHair by Teddy Charles using Maison BeauxMakeup by Holly Silius using RetrouvéProp styling by Evan JourdenFlorals by Omar LopezTailoring by Kanna Taniuchi and Oluwatobi KalejaiyeMovement direction by Ash RuckerProduction by Hinoki GroupA version of this story originally appeared in the December 2026 issue of GQ with the title “Up All Night With the Breakouts of 2026.”