2014 is fast approaching, and as the year dwindles down, we’re looking back at 2013 in review. Many new stars broke out onto the scene over the last several months, but these ten definitely have promise to stick around in the New Year.
Check out our list of the Top 10 Breakout Stars of 2013:
He’s had roles on TV shows like Parenthood and Friday Night Lights, but Michael didn’t gain much recognition until his performance in the film Fruitvale Station this year. In 2014, he’ll star in That Awkward Moment, alongside Zac Efron, which has already received a lot of media attention.
9. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Their album The Heist actually came out in 2012, but it wasn’t until this year that the duo gained their success. Their songs “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us” both reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, and the hit “Same Love” also got a lot of critical recognition. The rapper and producer team have been nominated for seven Grammys at the upcoming award show.
8. Dakota Johnson/Jamie Dornan
For more than a year, we eagerly awaited the casting choices for 50 Shades of Grey. In the fall, the question was answered when Dakota and Charlie Hunnam were cast as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. Shortly after, Charlie was replaced by the Irish actor, and now that filming has begun, fans are more anxious than ever for the movie’s release…in February 2015.
Clint Eastwood’s son seemed to appear out of thin air earlier this year, when a magazine interview instantly upped his popularity. The 27-year-old has actually been acting and modeling for several years, but his biggest film yet will be Fury, out in November 2014, and costarring Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf.
6. Henry Cavill
Henry’s breakout moment was in 2013’s Man of Steel, in which he starred as Clark Kent/Superman. His momentum will continue into the New Year as he begins filming the sequel, Batman vs. Superman, alongside Ben Affleck.
Until this year, she was just the pretty blonde girl that got to make out with Zac Efron in The Lucky One. Now, Taylor’s made for herself as the main character in Netflix’s hit series Orange is the New Black. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance, and the show’s second season is set to premiere sometime next year.
Kids have known the 20-year-old since 2010 from her role on Nickelodeon’s Victorious, but Ariana didn’t gain worldwide recognition until this year. She released her first album as a solo artist in September, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that she’s wanted boybander Nathan Sykes of The Wanted!
3. Chiwetel Ejiofor/Lupita Nyong’o
These two rose to fame in the critically acclaimed film 12 Years A Slave, for which they were both praised for their performances. They’ve both been nominated for Golden Globe and Screen Actor’s Guild Awards, and have garnered major Oscar buzz.
2. Sam Claflin
Although he gained some recognition for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Snow White and the Huntsman, ladies really fell for Sam from his charming portrayal of Finnick O’Dair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Plus, with his character’s reprisal in both The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Parts 1 and 2), he’s not going anywhere, anytime soon!
1. Lorde
Lorde is the first New Zealand native to have a No. 1 song on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, with the success of “Royals” this fall. Her album Pure Heroine also received great acclaim, and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 charts. Her new single “Team” is slowly gaining recognition, and with a North American tour coming up, she doesn’t seem to show any signs of slowing down. Oh…and she’s also only 17.