With awards season in full force, new faces have been appearing in nomination lineups. Many of these celebrities are younger, offering newer generations more relatable role models, while giving viewers breathtaking performances.
After starring in Netflix’s limited series “Adolescence,” 15-year-old actor Owen Cooper just won an Emmy for “best supporting actor in a limited series” and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Male Actor.
Not only is this feat impressive as a young up-and-coming actor, but “Adolescence” was Cooper’s first professional role. Many viewers of the show praised its creativity in using only one shot throughout the nearly hour-long episodes, but Cooper’s acting didn’t go unnoticed.
Most notable was a scene between Cooper’s character, Jamie Miller, and a psychologist, Briony Ariston, played by Erin Doherty. In the scene, while Miller is being questioned, tension begins to rise. So much so Miller screams at Ariston and has to be dragged out of the room. Once he’s gone, the attention is put back onto Ariston, hyperventilating and trying to compose herself.
“It’s so intense,” Doherty said. “But also, to really like, provoke that in someone else is a big ask.”
Though both actors made this scene remarkable, Cooper’s powerful portrayal of an angry, pent-up teenage boy who’s been accused of murder throughout the series is what stays with viewers.
“What a talent-natural, captivating, and truly remarkable,” one IMDB user said about Cooper’s performance. “An amazing start to what will hopefully be a long and successful career on screen.”
Cooper isn’t the only young actor making themself known right now. McKenna Grace, at 19 years old, has been in the industry since 2013. Since then, she’s been credited in countless films and TV programs, including “I, Tonya,” “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and “Young Sheldon.”
Grace, although gaining more traction due to her upcoming role of Maysilee Donner in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” has always been credited for her talent.
“Eleven-year-old Mckenna Grace demonstrates why she is one of the most frequently seen young actresses in the young role parts,” one IMDB's review of “Gifted” said.
Along with their talent, social media has been a resource for young stars’ rising popularity. Many young actors are constantly online, either posting, commenting or engaging with fans.
Teen actors like Grace and Walker Scobell post consistently, whether it’s promoting themselves or their work, behind-the-scenes or their everyday lives.
In fact, a good portion of Grace’s TikTok account follows trends or includes humor built for younger generations. This authenticity keeps followers engaged and has kept Grace in the center of conversation and praise.
Social media has also seen the praise of many actors for their authenticity, many being vocal about their opinions. For example, Renee Rapp, who posted a carousel of pictures to her Instagram, captioned “her lack of media training is outrageous.”
Many users applaud her choice, but some older internet users say this is a lack of respect and rude.
“Idk maybe I’m just old now,” one Reddit user said. “But I feel like you should want to have some level of professionalism … It feels like she’s trying way too hard to be ‘authentic’ in all of her interviews, but she sounds more like a wannabe edgy teenager.”
Some people even claim this act points to her being insecure or even not actually caring about the industry.
This might be why the world is suddenly so invested in newer celebrities. Whether it’s good or bad, we’re living in a moment where everything is fresh, discussed and broadcast. Though some who grew up with differing societal norms might not be able to accept this as graciously as it seems Generation Z has.
This same phenomenon, new trends critiqued for being different, has been around for generations. When something new is introduced, there will be groups that love it and groups that hate it. In fact, media considered classic now, like Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” were pushed aside when they first came out.
“Just the omission of Jane Austen’s books alone would make a fairly good library out of a library that hadn’t had a book in it,” writer Mark Twain said regarding “Pride and Prejudice."
Even with criticism, these actors and stars are rising in notoriety. The industry hasn’t always been kind to new faces, but it seems like this new generation has no issue with reshaping what the industry is even defined as. It seems their careers will continue to blossom into something all viewers enjoy.
