Suzanna Son

Suzanna Son made her on-screen breakout in the 2021 comedy Red Rocket as Strawberry: a charismatic donut shop worker who falls in love with a former porn star and the film’s protagonist, Mikey. And despite journeying to the Cannes Film Festival for Red Rocket’s success, three years prior Son was on the opposite end of the equation—in the theater, that is. Outside a Hollywood screening, Son was spotted by producer Sean Baker, the director of films like Starlet, Tangerine, and yes, Red Rocket. “My journey has been such a lucky one; I was discovered outside a theater and then went to Cannes!” the actress says. “I recognize how incredibly lucky that was—it galvanized my career.” Growing up in Washington State, Son attended Cornish College of the Arts, where she studied classical music and musical theater. Now, following the success of Red Rocket, Son is honing her on-screen chops even further with an upcoming appearance as Chloe in the highly anticipated HBO series The Idol. “My goal is to move people—I want to make them laugh, cry, love, [and] hate,” Son states. “I hope to convey the human experience through the roles I take on and make people relate to the characters.” MATTHEW VELASCO MATTHEW VELASCO

Blake Richardson

Blake Richardson plays his bass right-handed. He can also play it with his left, like Paul McCartney. In fact, Paul McCartney is the reason for Richardson’s ambidexterity—the 23-year-old, one-third of the British pop trio New Hope Club, will portray the music legend in Midas Man, the upcoming film chronicling the success of The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein. It was only fate that Richardson scored such a sought-after role, even if it was his first. Who better to credit their on-screen debut as an ode to their industry icon? After all, his first tour was opening for The Vamps with his band in a 13,000-seat arena. When it comes to inaugural pursuits, he tends to go all out. “It’s a true thrill for me,” Richardson says of the career-defining role. “I have the challenge of portraying one of the most well-respected artists, who happens to be my biggest inspiration.” And while the jump from singing New Hope Club’s wistful pop ballads to embodying a vocal master would require everything from mimicking mannerisms to altering his voice, the young star’s tenacity propels him past the finish line. “If you love something, pour yourself into it,” he says. “You won’t have any regrets.” AVA MANSON AVA MANSON

DEMI SINGLETON

Serena Williams played her first professional tournament at 14—so it’s no surprise Demi Singleton was tapped to play the icon in the blockbuster film King Richard. Yes, the two share an uncanny resemblance, and Singleton is only 16 years old herself. But the pair also have a fierce determination and deeper purpose in common, evidenced by the New Orleans native’s stellar on-screen performance. “Before the audition, I took three tennis lessons,” the actress shares. “My mom was like, ‘You have these lessons to figure it out, work your magic.’ A few days later, I got the call!” Prior to taking on the persona of Williams, Singleton was honing her craft in the Big Apple where she spent her childhood becoming classically trained in ballet, music, and acting. At only 10, the budding actress did what many merely dream of when she made her acting debut in Broadway’s School of Rock. Now a seasoned newcomer, Singleton is intent on continuing to pursue projects that are impactful in highlighting Black experiences and narratives. “Growing up, there was a lot of underrepresentation of Black characters within Hollywood,” Singleton explains. “I [want] to spread these stories so every young person of color can feel seen.” MVMATTHEW VELASCO

GRIFFIN GLUCK

Acting has always served as an escape for Griffin Gluck. At the young age of seven, he went against the status quo–trading in his cleats on the soccer field for the melodramatics of performing. “I was a big nerd with no friends,” explains the actor. “So I copied my sister, auditioned for the school play, and to everyone’s surprise I landed the lead role.” Just two years later, Gluck’s wildest acting dreams came to fruition when he was cast in his first large scale project, the blockbuster movie Just Go With It, starring alongside bonafide silver-screen legends Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. In the decade that pro- ceeded, the actor continued honing his craft, which prepared him for what may just be the role to cement him as a household name. Earning spot in season two of the smash hit thriller Hulu series, Cruel Summer, Gluck shares “I ended up on a Zoom chemistry read with Sadie [Stanley], and I guess it went well, because I was on a flight to Vancouver to start shooting a few weeks later,” he says, with a gleaming grin. “This was a really hard show to make, but it was well worth the effort.” NICHOLSON BAIRD

MICAELA WITTMAN

When Micaela Wittman got her driver’s license, her first destination wasn’t the mall or a local drive-thru, it was a talent agency. Growing up in a highly religious home in Arizona where acting was all but forbidden, much of the actress’s first foray into the business was done in secret. Now, three years later, Wittman is done hiding her star power. Her first film role in the 2021 mockumentary Clairevoyant saw her as the lead, as well as a co-director and screenwriter on the project, corroborating her industry dreams. “Being a nobody and deciding Hollywood would be a better place with you is a bold stance to take, but we all go in with this blind confidence in ourselves,” recalls Wittman. “Clairvoyant taught me that I wasn’t crazy, and I actually deserve to be here.” Now, 23 years old, the starlet continues to hit her mark with her latest project Remy & Arletta, a coming-of-age story that she describes as “two best friends who learn to love each other selflessly.” Whether it be for her inspirational work in front of the camera or her contemplative time spent behind it, Wittman is primed for success—no secrets about it. OLIVIA NOVATO OLIVIA NOVATO

SAM NIVOLA

As far as fictional parents go, Sam Nivola won the lottery. In Noah Baumbach’s latest film, White Noise, the curly-haired 19-year-old plays the eldest son of Adam Driver (Jack) and the stepson of Greta Gerwig (Babette). Heinrich, Nivola’s quick-witted character, is skeptical despite his charmed life. Of course, raised by actor parents in Brooklyn and entering his sophomore year at Columbia, the real Nivola is too. “Growing up in New York is unlike anything else. It makes you grow up a lot faster, or at least think you’ve grown up faster. Having a bit of that precocious pomp let me connect with Heinrich very easily,” he explained. And growing up fast he is. Just this March, Nivola walked Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2023 show in Paris. And later this year, Bradley Cooper’s film, Maestro, will be released, in which Nivola plays the son of composer Leonard Bernstein. But right now, Nivola’s sights are set on taking charge: “I’m excited about getting some of my scripts off the ground and hopefully going into production and directing one by the end of this year!” And his hopes for the future of film? “I wish people were more into movies that didn’t involve superheroes.” ERICA MARRISON

This story appears in the pages of V142: now available for purchase!

Photography Hedi Slimane

Makeup Aaron de Mey (Art Partner) / Brian Dean

Hair Ginger Ryan

Casting Greg Krelenstein (GK-ID)

Production coordinator Simone Bertrand

Digital technician Olivier Looren

Photo assistants Morgan Roudaut, Yves Mourtada, Benjamin Callot

Stylist assistant Mattie Tiggleman

Location Milk Studio

ERICA MARRISON