Roll up, roll up! Dear readers, prepare to be dazzled as we step back in time through the glittering portal of 2023 - the year that lent itself to the fantastic transcription of entertainment history. A year that saw the exceptional rise of five significantly glittering stars who have indeed made it BIG - Yup! We're talking about Kris Bowers, Reneé Rapp, Charles Melton, Lily Gladstone, and Ayo Edebiri.
From the silver-screen wonders to the soul-stirring rhythms of music, these stars have blazed trails, setting down remarkable milestones in them all. The world joined in a standing ovation as they were rightly christened The Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year.
Golden Globe nominations? Check! Oscar buzz? Check! Both Gladstone and Melton tick these off their list with their stellar performances in “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “May December,” respectively. Gladstone elegantly dances at the center of Scorsese's maelstrom of greed and treachery, while Melton tugs at our heartstrings with his potent depiction of an actor caught in an eerie shadow of reality.
One cannot help but revel in their success, a testament to years of sweat, grit, and unyielding dedication. Remember Melton's humble beginnings with a long leash in one hand and a Chinese takeout in the other. If Gladstone brings home the covetable Academy Award, she will stand victorious as a beacon of hope, becoming the first Native American to achieve this feat in its competitive history.
Let’s not forget the small screen queen of 2023 - Ayo Edebiri. This luminary earned both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations with her role in Hulu’s palate-pleasing dramedy “The Bear,” along with thunderous applause for her witty portrayal of Josie in the spot-on teen comedy “Bottoms.”
Meanwhile, Reneé Rapp leaped from the acting world straight into pop stardom. After making her mark in Broadway's “Mean Girls” and Kaling’s saucy “The Sex Lives of College Girls” on TV, she dared to chase her melodious dreams and released her debut album, “Snow Angel.”
As for Kris Bowers, he has been spinning magic with his music since the very beginning. His enchanting compositions decorated the year, living in the hearts of audiences globally from “Origin” and “The Color Purple” to chart-topping hits including “Chevalier,” “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” and “Haunted Mansion.”
As we bask in the radiance of these stars, let's also remind ourselves of their inner battles - of their relentless quest to quiet the voices that whisper about not belonging. But the world declares unanimously - they not only belong, they are the rightfully crowned champions, The Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year.
Say hoorah for our class of 2023 Breakthrough Entertainers. You can get to know them better by heading over here: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainers. Roll up, roll up! The show is far from over!
