Spotlight 2025: The Names That Steered Pop Culture’s Biggest Moments
Pop culture in 2025 has been nothing short of electric. This was a year shaped by viral performances, global tours, blockbuster cinema, and the kind of online moments that take on a life of their own.
This isn’t a list of who’s “best”, nor is it a competition of star power. Instead, it’s a look at 10 figures who kept the world talking. They are the artists, actors, and creators whose projects sparked conversation, dominated timelines, and became the steady heartbeat of 2025’s cultural buzz.
Here are the figures who defined 2025’s most unforgettable moments.
Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo
Spellbinding Power Duo
Few pairings this year lit up the cultural landscape quite like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The duo first cast their spell back in 2024 when Wicked premiered in cinemas, and they carried that magic straight through to the grand finale, Wicked: For Good, released in November 2025. Their performances, from soaring vocals to heartfelt press moments that TikTok analysed frame by frame, kept audiences enchanted for two unforgettable years. Together, they didn’t just revive a beloved story; they redefined Elphaba and Glinda for a new generation, creating an iconic pairing that will be remembered long after the curtain falls.
Beyond the musical, both artists kept busy on other fronts. Ariana released a deluxe re‑issue of her album Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead in March, adding six new songs to her 2024 album. The lead single, “Twilight Zone,” debuted at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted strongly internationally, keeping her presence on streaming platforms and social media alive even amidst her acting commitments.
Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo released a deeply personal solo album, I Forgive You, blending pop, R&B, soul, and gospel influences to showcase a more intimate side beyond her musical-theatre persona. She also expanded her acting slate, joining the action-thriller Karoshi, and prepared for a major 2026 theatre return with a radical one-woman stage production of Dracula in London’s West End, where she will portray 23 different roles. Adding to her creative output, Erivo published her book SIMPLY MORE, cementing her place as a multifaceted artist in 2025.
Jonathan Bailey
Sexiest Blockbuster Heartthrob
Jonathan Bailey, who played the dashing Fiyero, became one of 2025’s most talked-about actors. His charm captivated both Ariana and Cynthia’s characters, and Wicked audiences everywhere.
This year, he starred in two mega blockbuster films, Jurassic World: Rebirth and Wicked: For Good, proving his versatility across genres.
Adding to his accolades, Bailey made history as PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, becoming the first openly gay actor to receive the title.
Off-screen, Bailey’s focus has increasingly turned to advocacy. In June 2024, he founded The Shameless Fund, a charity that supports LGBTQ+ communities worldwide, channeling resources into grassroots initiatives for refugees, seniors, and young people. To help the charity reach its full potential, Bailey plans to step back from acting briefly in 2026, dedicating his energy to growing its impact, further proving that he’s as committed to meaningful change as he is to commanding the screen.
Taylor Swift
Unstoppable Cultural Engine
While Jonathan Bailey dominated silverscreens, Taylor Swift kept the music world buzzing in 2025. Fresh off her record-breaking The Eras Tour, she channelled her experiences and her romance with American football star Travis Kelce into her new album, The Life of a Showgirl. Vibrant, lively, and triumphant, the album reflected her joyful state of mind and quickly dominated streaming charts, becoming a fan favourite. Her track “Opalite” in particular became a viral TikTok dance trend, giving fans a new way to celebrate her music across social media.
Adding to the excitement, her engagement to Travis made headlines worldwide, blending personal milestones with professional triumphs and keeping Swifties and media buzzing. In May 2025, she also announced that she had bought back the masters to her first six albums from the private equity firm Shamrock Capital, officially ending the six-year-long battle. She now owns all her music, including original recordings, videos, art, and photography, giving her full creative control over her iconic catalogue.
With chart-topping music, regained ownership of her art, and a wedding to look forward to, Swift reminded us once again that 2025 was truly her year, and that the best is yet to come.
Sabrina Carpenter
Internet’s Favourite Pop Darling
It was a busy stretch for Sabrina Carpenter, starting in 2024 as an opening act for Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour. That year she also released her own album Short n’ Sweet, featuring hits like Espresso, Please Please Please, Taste, Bed Chem, and Juno. She then launched her Short n’ Sweet Tour, bringing her music directly to fans across the country.
And her momentum didn’t stop there. In August 2025, she followed up with her new album Man’s Best Friend, delivering breakout hits like Manchild, Tears, and When Did You Get Hot?.
Her confident lyricism, catchy melodies, and relatable personality quickly made her a favourite among Gen Z fans, with her songs serving as springboards for viral TikTok trends. Between viral clips, fan reactions, and strong chart performance, Carpenter proved that a whirlwind schedule and rising fame can turn a talented artist into a bona fide cultural force.
KATSEYE
Global Girl Pop Powerhouses
Much like Sabrina Carpenter, another Gen Z music sensation making waves in 2025 is KATSEYE, a six-member girl-group built not just on catchy songs but on global identity, style, and social media energy. Their members are Filipina Sophia Laforteza, Swiss‑Italian‑Ghanaian Manon Bannerman, Venezuelan‑Cuban American Daniela Avanzini, Indian‑American Lara Raj, Chinese‑Singaporean Swedish-American Megan Skiendiel, and South Korean Yoonchae Jeung, each bringing her own unique cultural background to the group.
They’re not just a music group but a global pop collective. Their 2025 breakout was turbo‑charged by the viral “Better in Denim” campaign with GAP, which had everyone dancing to Kelis’ “Milkshake” again and racked up tens of millions of views, cementing them not just as chart‑toppers but as full‑on style icons.
Musically, their singles in 2025, including “Gnarly” and “Gabriela”, charted internationally, while their Beautiful Chaos EP debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. They also launched their first headlining tour, giving their EYEKONS a chance to experience their high-energy performances live.
With a multicultural roster, bold fashion sense, viral social media presence, and an international fanbase, KATSEYE didn’t just ride the Gen Z pop wave they helped define it.
HUNTR/X
Animated KPop Phenomenon
Following the global rise of KATSEYE, 2025 also belonged to another girl group called HUNTR/X aka the virtual trio from KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most popular film with over 300 million streams to date. While the characters are animated, it was the singing voices of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI that brought them to life, turning HUNTR/X into a global sensation that blurred the lines between fiction and reality.
From catchy chart-topping tracks that have over 3 billion streams, to electrifying performances on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and even the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, HUNTR/X became more than a virtual act but more of a cultural reset. It has influenced fashion, fandom, and music trends worldwide, with their songs dominating TikTok, sparking viral challenges, and introducing audiences across continents to a new wave of KPop-infused pop music.
The combination of immersive storytelling, striking visuals, and the undeniable talent of the real-life singing voice actors made HUNTR/X one of 2025’s defining pop-culture phenomena, proving that the future of music and entertainment is limitless.
Pedro Pascal
Cinematic Tour de Force
While HUNTR/X redefined what it means to be a global pop phenomenon, 2025 also belonged to stars commanding the silver screen and Pedro Pascal was at the centre of it all.
Known for his magnetic presence, Pascal captured audiences worldwide with a series of standout performances this year. He dazzled on-screen in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Materialists, Eddington, Freaky Tales, and returned as Joel in the latest season of HBO’s The Last of Us. His choice of acting credits showed his range from superhero blockbuster to neo-Western thriller to heart-rending drama.
Off-screen, Pascal’s charm and style made him the internet’s favourite “zaddy.” From his standout fashion at Cannes and the Emmys 2025 to his viral “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt, he had fans swooning for his heartthrob appeal and advocacy. Pascal’s openness about his way of coping with his anxiety and unwavering support for the LGBTQIA+ community cement him as a role model and a truly worthy idol, proving that being a star is as much about impact as it is about presence.
Zendaya
Unstoppable Screen and Style Sensation
From Pascal’s red-carpet dominance and blockbuster year to stars who balance style and personal milestones, 2025 also belonged to Zendaya whose fashion, charisma, and life updates kept fans talking worldwide.
This year, she turned heads with her Golden Globes and MET Gala appearances, even making a statement with her stunning engagement ring from her real-life Peter Parker, Tom Holland.
It was announced that she was handpicked by Ronnie Spector to star in the upcoming biopic Be My Baby, where she will also serve as a producer, showcasing her growing influence behind the scenes.
With her combination of fashion-forward presence, personal milestones, and creative ambition, Zendaya proved that 2025 was yet another year where she dominated pop culture both on and off the spotlight.
Timothée Chalamet
Modern Screen Icon
Following Zendaya’s domination in fashion and personal milestones, her Dune co-star Timothée Chalamet also kept 2025 buzzing with his cinematic presence and remarkable appearances.
Rounding up our list is Timothée who has made history as the first actor ever to lead two Best Picture nominees in a single year with Dune: Part Two and A Complete Unknown, where he also earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Bob Dylan. He also starred in the A24 film Marty Supreme, showcasing his range from blockbuster sci‑fi to prestige cinema.
On the fashion front, he continued to make headlines, notably appearing in a custom butter-yellow leather suit that sparked conversation among style enthusiasts, and showing off Dior sneakers from Jonathan Anderson's spring 2026 Dior Men show.
Off-screen, Chalamet’s personal life also captured attention. He delighted fans with his relationship with Kylie Jenner, sharing red-carpet appearances, PDA-filled moments, and high-profile outings that kept the couple firmly in the cultural spotlight throughout 2025.
Through a combination of awards-season achievements, standout performances, fashion-forward appearances, and high-profile personal milestones, Chalamet proved he is not only a screen favourite but also a defining cultural figure of 2025.
Looking Back at 2025
Virtual K-pop sensations, chart-topping albums, blockbuster films, and red-carpet showstoppers made 2025 a year defined by energy, creativity, and unforgettable cultural moments. These pop culture icons didn’t just entertain but also sparked conversation, shaped trends, and reminded us how diverse and dynamic the entertainment world can be.
Whether it was through music that made the world dance, performances that had audiences on the edge of their seats, or style choices that became instant talking points, each star contributed to a cultural narrative that was as thrilling as it was memorable. 2025 may be coming to an end, but the moments these artists created will continue to echo, setting the stage for what comes next in the ever-evolving world of pop culture.
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