Emerging LGBTQ+ Luminaries
Twenty-four LGBTQ performers poised to shape the future of Hollywood.
Opt-in for Newsletters
Facebook | Email | X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Bluesky | WhatsApp | Copy Link | Impact Link
This particular narrative is accessible solely to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider today and commence reading immediately. Already possess an account? Log in.
- The prominence of the LGBTQ community has seen a significant rise in recent years.
- A substantial number of emerging talents publicly acknowledge their affiliation with the LGBTQ community.
- These individuals have vocally advocated for their personal identities and actively championed enhanced queer representation across various media platforms.
- Presented here are twenty-four LGBTQ performers, all under the age of thirty, whom Insider anticipates will constitute the next wave of Hollywood's leading figures.
- For additional narratives, explore Insider's primary website.
The prominence of LGBTQ individuals has undeniably grown in recent times (manifesting across both societal spheres and various media), a trend mirrored by the increasing number of young luminaries who openly articulate and affirm their sexual orientations and gender identities.
In honor of the diverse array of burgeoning queer talent currently active in both cinematic and televisual realms, Insider has compiled a compilation of LGBTQ entertainers who are projected to emerge as the industry's subsequent vanguard.
Showcased here are twenty-four LGBTQ performers, all below the age of thirty, who represent Hollywood's forthcoming wave of talent.
Indya Moore, the twenty-five-year-old breakout sensation from "Pose," identifies as trans non-binary.
While Moore initially embarked upon their professional journey as a model, their entry into the Hollywood scene occurred through portraying minor roles in television series and motion pictures. Subsequently, their career rapidly ascended to prominence through their portrayal of Angel, a trans woman and aspiring model, in FX's "Pose," a groundbreaking series depicting New York City's vibrant 1980s underground ballroom culture.
This performer subsequently received a nomination for "rising star of the year" at the 2019 Dorian Awards, presented by The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics; moreover, they were recognized (alongside numerous "Pose" castmates) as an honoree at the 2020 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards ceremony.
During an exchange with their fellow cast member MJ Rodriguez, featured in L'Officiel Magazine, Moore articulated the imperative nature of representation, in addition to discussing their non-binary identity.
"While I am non-binary, I typically do not extensively discuss this aspect," they stated. "It seems to me that public comprehension has not yet fully arrived regarding this, which I find acceptable; nevertheless, I also recognize that individuals frequently perceive me as a woman."
Hunter Schafer, a queer trans performer aged twenty, achieved widespread recognition through her portrayal of Jules in "Euphoria."
Schafer garnered considerable attention for her depiction of Jules, the ethereal, mysterious newcomer (who, similarly to Schafer herself, is trans), in HBO's "Euphoria." Before commencing her acting career on the program, this actress had previously worked as a model for esteemed fashion houses such as Dior and Marc Jacobs; additionally, during her high school years, she became involved in the ACLU and Lambda Legal's legal challenge opposing North Carolina's anti-trans "bathroom bill."
"It is essential that a greater number of roles exist where transgender individuals are not solely navigating their trans identity; instead, they are trans while simultaneously confronting various other challenges," Schafer articulated in a discussion with Variety. She further added, "Our complexities extend far beyond a singular identity."
Furthermore, Schafer has elaborated on the profound significance of portraying Jules within the context of "Euphoria."
"Witnessing her progression towards a form of queerness, presenting an alternative to heteronormativity, was particularly thrilling for me as a queer trans individual," she disclosed to Them. in July of Two Thousand Nineteen. "I personally felt that such a depiction had been absent from television previously."
During the nascent part of two thousand nineteen, the performer further conveyed to Dazed, stating, "My identity aligns more closely with what one might term a lesbian."
Beanie Feldstein, the acclaimed actress from "Booksmart" and "Lady Bird," aged twenty-six, has publicly stated that she has "only recently begun to understand" her sexual orientation.
Throughout the preceding several years, Feldstein has consistently demonstrated her prowess in embodying memorable teenage protagonists—notably in Greta Gerwig's Oscar-nominated motion picture "Lady Bird" (released in two thousand seventeen), Olivia Wilde's comedic feature "Booksmart" (from two thousand nineteen), and "How to Build a Girl" (two thousand twenty), wherein she embodies a prodigious teenage rock journalist.
Before long, she is poised to diverge from such characterizations, as she is set to portray Monica Lewinsky in Ryan Murphy's production of "American Crime Story."
During October of two thousand nineteen, the twenty-six-year-old performer informed Teen Vogue that she had "only just begun to ascertain" her sexual identity "within the last eighteen months."
Feldstein, who has previously engaged in romantic relationships with men, is presently involved with producer Bonnie Chance Roberts.
"I don't mean to appear dismissive, but my affection for her encompassed her entire being, and she is a woman," Feldstein articulated. "Such a reality neither frightens nor discourages me. Furthermore, my sentiments were not merely directed at women broadly; rather, they were specifically centered on her."
Kiersey Clemons, a twenty-six-year-old queer performer, features in the two thousand twenty motion pictures "Scoob!" and "Antebellum."
Clemons garnered her inaugural significant role portraying a teenage lesbian in the two thousand fifteen film "Dope." At present, she is a ubiquitous presence in the Hollywood landscape, thanks to her contributions in cinematic works such as "Hearts Beat Loud," "Scoob!," and the forthcoming horror feature "Antebellum," which stars Janelle Monáe.
This performer has openly identified as a queer woman for an extended period and is presently in a relationship with Ebony De La Haye, an individual who served as Clemons' stunt double during the production of the film "Sweetheart."
"I consider it vital to demonstrate to individuals that, as a queer person, one is equally entitled to a wholesome, stable partnership, just as heterosexual individuals experience on a daily basis," Clemons conveyed to IndieWire in June of two thousand twenty.
Shannon Purser, a twenty-two-year-old Emmy Award nominee who has featured in series such as "Riverdale" and "Stranger Things," identifies as bisexual.
Subsequent to earning an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Barb, the cherished yet unfortunate character in "Stranger Things," Purser proceeded to take a leading role in the Netflix comedic film "Sierra Burgess Is a Loser" and made appearances in other adolescent-focused series, including "Riverdale" and "Rise."
Shannon Purser, at twenty-two years of age, publicly disclosed her bisexual identity via Twitter.
"Typically, I do not engage in this practice, however, I perceive this moment as opportune to share something personal," Purser remarked. "My disclosure as bisexual to my relatives and acquaintances has occurred only quite recently. It remains a matter I am actively contemplating and striving to comprehend, and I prefer not to dwell on it excessively. I am indeed very, very new to the LGBT community."
Auli&x27;i Cravalho, nineteen years old, achieved widespread recognition through her leading role in Disney&x27;s animated feature "Moana." Subsequently, she publicly identified as bisexual on the social media platform TikTok.
Cravalho transitioned into a prominent performer following her principal role in Disney's "Moana," a motion picture lauded for its depiction of a formidable female protagonist possessing significant autonomy.
This Hawaii-born artist subsequently delivered a rendition of "How Far I'll Go" alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Academy Awards in two thousand seventeen; additionally, she undertook the principal role of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid Live!"
At present, her schedule includes a starring turn as Jos in Amazon's forthcoming science fiction television program, "The Power."
During April of two thousand twenty, Cravalho publicly affirmed her bisexual identity through a TikTok video, in which she lip-synced to the track "Those Kinda Nights" by Eminem.
"'But truly, putting humor aside, how are you faring? Are you heterosexual?' / She responded, 'No, I am bisexual,'" the performer articulated silently.
Amandla Stenberg, a twenty-one-year-old, has remained a highly sought-after performer ever since their role in "The Hunger Games." They self-identify as both gender non-binary and pansexual.
Stenberg has maintained a discernible presence in the Hollywood film industry since their portrayal of Rue in "The Hunger Games" at the tender age of twelve. Subsequently, this artist has taken on leading roles in various other significant young adult motion pictures, including "The Hate U Give" and "Everything, Everything." Lately, Stenberg has featured in "The Eddy," the recent Netflix series helmed by "La La Land" director Damien Chazelle.
This performer initially revealed their non-binary identity through a Tumblr post published in two thousand sixteen; moreover, they also identify as pansexual.
"Gender identity and sexual orientation possess immense fluidity. It is perfectly permissible to alter one's perspective innumerable times and ascertain what truly resonates. There is no urgency in this process," Stenberg conveyed to Seventeen magazine in two thousand eighteen. "I appreciate the existence of the overarching classification 'queer,' under which a multitude of experiences can reside; however, I came to understand that a segment of my personal progression involved concealing myself beneath that umbrella, primarily due to my apprehension—both privately and publicly—of confronting my authentic self."
"It proved simpler for me to declare 'I am bisexual' or 'I am pansexual' while I was still discerning my identity," they elaborated. "Yet, I eventually reached a juncture where I experienced genuine self-acceptance regarding my sexuality, prompting me to elect to disseminate that sense of pride."
Nicole Maines, at twenty-two years of age, embodies television&x27;s inaugural transgender superhero in The CW&x27;s "Supergirl."
During two thousand eighteen, Maines achieved a historical milestone by portraying Nia Nal, the initial transgender superhero on television, within The CW's "Supergirl." Subsequently, this performer reprised the role in an intersecting installment of "DC's Legends of Tomorrow."
"My belief is that cisgender performers do not assume such roles with malicious intent; rather, it represents an oversight in comprehending the implications of cisgender individuals portraying transgender characters," she informed Variety during a conversation concerning transgender representation within the entertainment industry. "We do not encounter this identical challenge concerning sexuality, as heterosexual individuals are frequently cast in homosexual roles. However, regarding transgender individuals, numerous people accuse us of merely 'playing dress-up' for various undisclosed motives, which is simply erroneous. Allowing transgender people to embody transgender roles affirms the validity of our identities and underscores our existence."
Lili Reinhart, the twenty-three-year-old luminary of "Riverdale" and "Hustlers," self-identifies as bisexual.
Reinhart ascended to A-list status by portraying Betty Cooper in The CW's widely watched adolescent drama series "Riverdale." Recently, she was featured in the Golden Globe-nominated motion picture "Hustlers," and her debut literary work ("Swimming Lessons") is slated for publication in September of two thousand twenty.
This performer publicly affirmed her bisexual identity via her Instagram stories during June of two thousand twenty.
"While I have never before made this public declaration, I stand as a proud bisexual woman," Reinhart penned on her Instagram story.
Concurrently with her revelation, the performer disseminated a promotional image for an "LGBTQ+ for BlackLivesMatter" demonstration scheduled in West Hollywood, California, subsequently urging her followers to participate.