Beyond Blue Ivy and North West: 8 Young Black Trailblazers Shaping the Future of Hollywood

From headline-making red carpet debuts to landing spots on Vanity Fair’s 2026 Best Dressed list, Blue Ivy Carter and North West are cementing their status as icons among the next generation of Black female stars in Hollywood. They are part of a powerhouse cohort of young talents making an impact and laying the foundation for long-lasting careers. Here are some rising Black female stars in Hollywood to watch.

Blue Ivy

Blue Ivy has already established herself as one of the most iconic names in young Hollywood. As the daughter of musical legends Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Blue Ivy has taken the opportunities her parents have afforded her to develop an impressive artistic portfolio. From performing as one of her mom’s backup dancers during the Renaissance World Tour to making her Met Gala debut in May and playing the piano at her dad’s Yankee Stadium concert, we can’t wait to see the ways Blue Ivy will continue to shine and grow.

Related: Why 14-Year-Old Blue Ivy Carter is the New Blueprint for Celebrity

North West

With her signature electric blue hair and gothic fashion sense, North West cannot be missed. As the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), North has taken her mother’s confidence in the spotlight and isn’t shy in front of the camera. From her father, the young star inherited his musical talents and outspoken personality, positioning herself as one of the most exciting young artists to watch. Her debut album, “N0rth4evr,” dropped in May, and she recently graced the cover of Dazed magazine.

Leah Sava Jeffries

Leah Sava Jeffries is one of the leading stars of the Disney+ series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” playing the witty, intelligent and headstrong Annabeth. She constantly saves Percy from any danger he gets himself into while grappling with trials of her own. Though she is already a star in one iconic series, she is set to lead another following the announcement of her starring role in the upcoming “Cheetah Girls” reboot, and we can’t wait to see her performance on screen.

Marsai Martin

Since playing Diane Johnson on “Black-ish,” Marsai Martin has evolved from a talented young actress into a savvy businesswoman. According to The Root, Martin made history in 2020 when Guinness World Records named her the youngest Hollywood executive producer for her feature film, “Little,” for Universal Pictures at 14 years old. She pitched the movie when she was only 10. Beyond her business moves, the Hollywood star is inspiring the next generation to engage in politics, urging Gen Z to show up at the polls and help shape the country’s future.

Lovie Simone

Lovie Simone has shone on the small screen with credits in the church drama “Greenleaf” and the high school drama film “Selah and the Spades,” but she solidified her place in Hollywood with her role as Keisha Clark in Mara Brock Akil’s teen romance drama series “Forever.” The series dropped on the streaming platform Netflix with a bang, debuting at No. 2 on the Top 10 English TV list and reaching the Top 10 in over 30 countries. With season two on the horizon, we are excited to see how Simone will continue to deliver in her role.

Storm Reid

“Euphoria” star Storm Reid has shown fans that she has a work rate like no other. Since her breakout role in Ava DuVernay’s 2018 film, “A Wrinkle in Time,” Reid has rarely taken a break from appearing on big and small screens, starring in projects such as the 2019 Netflix drama “When They See Us,” the 2021 action film “The Suicide Squad”and a guest role in the post-apocalyptic series “The Last of Us.” On top of being one of Hollywood’s strongest young actors, Reid has expanded her creative range by launching her music career.

Aliyah Mastin

Starring in Hulu’s political drama “Paradise,” Aliyah Mastin has established herself as a young actor to watch. While she only recently made her screen debut, Mastin proved her talent years ago playing Young Nala in the Broadway production of “The Lion King.” With both acting range and impressive vocal pipes, there is no doubt Mastin will go far in Hollywood.

Chase Infiniti

As one of the breakout stars of 2025, Chase Infiniti has continued to build momentum after starring in the Oscar-winning film “One Battle After Another.” She plays a leading role in Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” spinoff, “The Testaments,” and has landed another starring role in the coming-of-age romance film “The Julia Set.”

With these stars carving their paths, the future of Black women in Hollywood is in good hands.