Top 10 Breakout Stars of 2016

In the early spring of 2015, this American alternative group released their fourth studio album. And while the first two singles proved to be notable Billboard hits, it was the aptly titled “Stressed Out” that took off in 2016. And with their fusion of indie pop and reggaeton, the duo of Twenty One Pilots created plenty of buzz for their follow-up “Ride,” which gave them another Top 10 Billboard hit. So while it took some time, the eclectic sound of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun helped them find a secure place in 2016 pop culture, especially after making the soundtrack for the blockbuster “Suicide Squad.”

Unless you’re a die hard fan of Shonda Rhimes’ ABC series “How to Get Away with Murder,” you just may not be able to identify this Los Angeles native by name. But after several years in the business, Aja Naomi King earned a loyal following through her saucy portrayal of Michaela Pratt, earning an NAACP Image Award nomination in the process. Of course, her television persona attracts a big enough viewership from week to week, but Aja reached a much larger audience after landing a supporting role in Nate Parker’s Nat Turner biopic, “The Birth of a Nation,” playing the wife of the controversial slave. And though Aja is seemingly just getting started, her experience as a performer led to a career-changing year in 2016.

Before the summer of ’16, some of you MsMojoholics may have been familiar with this talented British gentleman. In 2014, Riz Ahmed starred as Jake Gyllenhaal’s unassuming employee in “Nightcrawler,” and he became more of a household name after his jawdropping performance in HBO’s 2016 mini-series “The Night Of.” But he’s been around for years, originally known as the hip-hop artist MC Riz. And while a 2016 film like “Jason Bourne” maybe didn’t accentuate his skills as an actor, his international star will be shining for good thanks to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

Now here’s a woman that’s been grinding it out for years. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Ireland, Ruth commenced her film career in the early 21st century, first establishing herself across the pond before eventually being cast stateside on ABC’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”, not to mention the AMC comic adaptation “Preacher.” But while her TV performances have led to plenty of industry mojo, Ruth elevated to true stardom upon the Cannes premiere of the interracial drama “Loving,” directed by the acclaimed Jeff Nichols. And while early buzz doesn’t mean that a film will unquestionably become a hit, it’s clear that Ruth has given a transformative performance that will make her a hot commodity in the years to come.

Sure, maybe this Canadian teenager doesn’t have the status of a Justin Timberlake, or even a Zayn for that matter. But Shawn Mendes has emerged as a genuinely authentic musician after only two studio albums. In 2015, “Handwritten” reached #1 in both Canada and the United States, while 2016’s “Illuminate” accomplished the same feat. With his boyish charm and acoustic performance vibe, Shawn earned himself a Top 10 Billboard hit with the catchy “Treat You Better.” And to prove that he’s more than just a passing fad, he took a more stripped down approach for the poignant “Mercy.” And so, it seems that Shawn has the smarts, the passion and the talent, as he’s undeniably become a mainstream star in 2016.

London born and prep school educated, this British gent is a man of the stage. But over the course of five years, Tom Holland has built up quite the film resume, with 2016 leading him directly to the Marvel franchise. And he didn’t exactly have a minor role in “Captain America: Civil War,” as Tom evolved into the iconic Spiderman. And given his background in the art of acting, well, he delivered plenty of finesse and craftsmanship with his interpretation. And while that in itself makes him a breakout star, Tom also starred alongside Robert Pattinson and Sienna Miller in James Gray’s “The Lost City of Z, which premiered in the late 2016, but opens in the spring of ’17.

At first, Gal turned some heads in 2015’s Furious 7 and in a smaller role in the crime thriller “Triple 9.” She also killed it once again with Ariel Vromen’s 2016 flick “Criminal.” And so, these two genre films prepared audiences for her leading role in the action comedy “Keeping Up with the Joneses” – a film that showcases the versatility of Gal, perhaps even teasing at a potential Bond role in the future. Of course, the icing on the cake is her transformation into Wonder Woman, with the first appearance coming in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” which made fans everywhere more than just a little excited for her upcoming film “Wonder Woman.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, this dashing actor has worked with the likes of Francis Ford Coppola, Chan-wook Park and Woody Allen. And these roles came years before the Coen Brothers introduced Alden Ehrenreich to a larger mainstream audience with 2016’s “Hail, Caesar!” Starring alongside a supremely talented ensemble cast, the emerging star held his own, both with his classic Hollywood magnetism and undeniable polish as a performer. And it’s these qualities that led him to Warren Beatty for the 50s-eara film “Rules Don’t Apply.” And though Alden could already be considered an A-lister after being cast as Han Solo, his collective work in 2016 is something special all its own.

Lets just get right into it, Millie Bobby Brown is our #2 because of her phenomenal performance in “Stranger Things.” In the surprise hit of 2016, she starred as the enigmatic “Eleven” or “El” in the Duffer Brothers Netflix Original. And with her mysterious character, Millie dominated every frame, not only fueling the sense of 80s nostalgia but delivering a seriously insane performance. Of course, the core group of “Stranger Things” kids enjoyed a breakout year too, but Millie became the central figure of the narrative as a whole. And for that, she immediately became a standout actress of 2016.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Lily-Rose Depp

Angourie Rice

Emory Cohen

If you haven’t heard, the Broadway musical “Hamilton” is kind of a big deal. Of course, such an immaculate production doesn’t write and produce itself. And the man behind the beautiful madness is none other than Lin-Manuel Miranda,who literally wrote and even starred in the musical for a time as well, though he is making waves as composer of Disney’s “Moana.” And though he’s got plenty of potential to cross over into television and film, he seems right at home on the stage, even hosting “Saturday Night Live” during his brilliant 2016 run. So, with such creativity and versatility as a performer, and with the wits to execute such an ambitious production, well, Lin-Manuel Miranda is most definitely THE breakout star of 2016.

So, do you agree with our selections? Who do you think is the biggest breakout star of 2016? For more groundbreaking Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.