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Rising Stars: The Associated Press Unveils 2025 Breakthrough Entertainers

The Associated Press has announced its 2025 class of Breakthrough Entertainers, celebrating five diverse talents who have made exceptional strides in the entertainment industry this year. The honorees – Arden Cho, Owen Cooper, Danny Ramirez, Chase Sui Wonders, and Tramell Tillman – represent a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and career trajectories, yet all share the distinction of having a remarkable 2025.

This ninth annual class spans a broad age range, from 16-year-old Cooper to seasoned performers in their 40s. The group includes two recent Emmy winners and two who once pursued careers in professional soccer before finding their calling in entertainment. Two of the honorees count Hollywood icon Tom Cruise as a pivotal co-star, while others made significant career changes during their college years.

In candid interviews with the AP, the entertainers reflected on their breakthrough year, support systems, and the impact of newfound fame on their lives.

“2025 feels like a dream come true. It just feels perfect. It feels comfortable,” shared Arden Cho, who has balanced acting success with producing and storytelling ventures. Cho cited entertainment powerhouses Reese Witherspoon, Margot Robbie, and Natalie Portman as career role models who “didn’t wait for opportunities — they created them.”

For the youngest honoree, Owen Cooper, the year has been nothing short of transformative. “Mind-blowing is number one. Just… crazy,” said Cooper, who named Jake Gyllenhaal as his primary career inspiration. Unlike some breakthrough stars who struggle with fame’s downsides, Cooper maintained, “Everything that’s happened since the show has been positive in my life.”

Danny Ramirez described 2025 as “creatively, incredibly fruitful,” while acknowledging time constraints as the most challenging aspect of his rising profile. Ramirez draws inspiration from a diverse array of figures, including athletes Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi, as well as filmmakers like Denis Villeneuve and Ryan Coogler.

Chase Sui Wonders characterized her breakthrough year as “really special” and “joyful,” crediting the “amazing people” surrounding her for enhancing the experience. Wonders pointed to creative partnerships like Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes as inspirational models for her career aspirations. She noted that the most rewarding aspect of her success has been “getting to work with people that I’ve looked up to,” though she acknowledged the challenges of public scrutiny during moments of self-doubt.

For Tramell Tillman, 2025 has been “quite a banner year,” though he emphasized the importance of maintaining authenticity despite newfound fame. “I’ve never been a person who allows other people’s opinions or eyes to control who I am by nature. So if I want to dance in public, I’ll do it,” Tillman stated. His career heroes include acclaimed actors Jeffrey Wright, Colman Domingo, and Hugh Jackman.

When discussing childhood influences, several honorees reflected on how early experiences shaped their artistic paths. Cho revealed overcoming childhood shyness and a stutter, while Tillman drew parallels between his dutiful personality as a child and his breakout character Milchik, whom he described as “a people pleaser.”

The conversation also turned to artificial intelligence’s impact on the entertainment industry. Despite varying levels of concern, the entertainers unanimously valued human creativity and authenticity. “I’d like to hope and think that people will always appreciate art and soul and the human touch, at least in stories and music,” Cho remarked.

Cooper took a stronger stance against AI in performance arts: “I don’t think AI’s got a lot to do with acting at all. I don’t think there should be AI actors. I think that just ruins everything.”

The 2025 AP Breakthrough Entertainers represent the diversity of paths to success in modern entertainment. From childhood dreams of being storm chasers, athletes, and corporate professionals, these five individuals have carved distinctive niches in an industry constantly seeking fresh perspectives and authentic talents.