Culture shifts when she moves, and this year’s It Girls have the whole world collectively hitting refresh.
You see, the Culture & Entertainment It Girls don’t just become the moment, they shape it. Whether she’s redefining Young Hollywood, bending genres across the board, or turning a casual drop into cultural canon, her presence transcends timeline, group chats, and red carpets alike. This It Girl is the kind of woman whose name travels, from screens to stages to every corner of the zeitgeist.
This year's It Girl 100 is a mosaic of brilliance, spotlighting media personalities, cultural disruptors, beauty visionaries, and boundary-pushing prodigies who embody the spirit of "Yes, And." This digital celebration honors the women who embrace every facet of themselves, proving you can be a light and still honor your desire to glow at your own pace.
The women repping for the Culture & Entertainment category prove relevance is crafted, not accidental. It's the alchemy of talent, intention, and magnetism that becomes the spark.
Here's the roll call for xoNecole's It Girl 100 Class of 2025: Culture & Entertainment.
Model and Media Personality Olandria Carthen
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Olandria Carthen
Her Handle: @x_olandria
Her Title: Model and Media Personality
Who's That It Girl: Olandria Carthen is lighting up the entertainment space with creativity and confidence. We love her for carving out a name rooted in self-belief and for using her artistry to uplift and inspire.
Actress Akira Akbar
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Akira Akbar
Her Handle: @akira_akbar
Her Title: Actress
Who's That It Girl: Bright, fearless, and full of heart, Akira Akbar is redefining what young Hollywood looks like. We honor her for bringing depth and authenticity to every role and for reminding the world that talent has no age limit.
Singer, Songwriter and Actress Halle Bailey
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Halle Bailey
Her Handle: @hallebailey
Her Title: Singer, Songwriter and Actress
Who's That It Girl: Halle Bailey is ethereal strength in motion. We love her for redefining princesshood, representation, and the power of visibility, inspiring young dreamers to believe their voices belong on every stage.
Entrepreneur, Model, Actress, and Cultural Voice Chelley Bissanthe
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Chelley Bissanthe
Her Handle: @_slimthin
Her Title: Entrepreneur, Model, Actress, and Cultural Voice
Who's That It Girl: Chelley Bissainthe is a Haitian-American model, entrepreneur, and advocate. She uses her platform to uplift communities, honor her Caribbean heritage, and build pathways to ownership and legacy.
Actress and Singer Ryan Destiny
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Ryan Destiny
Her Handle: @ryandestiny
Her Title: Actress and Singer
Who's That It Girl: Ryan Destiny embodies star power and stillness in one. We celebrate her for her poise, range, and unshakable confidence, proof that quiet strength can shine just as bright as any spotlight.
Reality TV Personality and Influencer Amber Desiree (AD)
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Amber Desiree (AD)
Her Handle: @amberdesiree
Her Title: Reality TV Personality and Influencer
Who's That It Girl: Charismatic and bold, Amber Desiree brings emotional depth and vibrant storytelling to every project she touches. We love her for representing multifaceted womanhood on screen and off, inspiring a generation of creatives to lead with authenticity.
Top Creator, Model, Media Personality and Cultural Tastemaker Serena Page
Credit: Jacob Webster
Serena Page
Her Handle: @serenaapagee
Her Title: Top Creator, Model, Media Personality and Cultural Tastemaker
Who's That It Girl: Serena Page first captured hearts on Love Island USA Season 6 and has since become one of pop culture’s favorite “it girls.” Her confidence and authenticity have made her a go-to face for brands like SheaMoisture, Pepsi, and CeraVe.
Director and Executive Producer Courtney Whitaker
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Courtney Whitaker
Her Handle: @courtneyewhitaker
Her Title: Director and Executive Producer
Who's That It Girl: Courtney Whitaker is a two-time Emmy-winning producer and director specializing in TV, documentaries, and branded content. With over 20 projects completed, she's dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through impactful storytelling.
DJ Uncle Waffles
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Uncle Waffles
Her Handle: @unclewaffles_
Her Who's That It Girl: The DJ queen of the global stage, Uncle Waffles turns sound into celebration. We love her for electrifying dance floors and championing African creativity with confidence, rhythm, and undeniable joy.
Entrepreneur and Television Personality JaNa Craig
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JaNa Craig
Her Handle: @janacraig_
Her Title: Creator, Entrepreneur and Television Personality
Who's That It Girl: With creativity that defies convention, JaNa Craig is building a lane all her own in music and production. We celebrate her for reminding women that reinvention is power and authenticity is art.
Award-Winning Journalist, Host and Creator Gia Peppers
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Gia Peppers
Her Handle: @giapeppers
Her Title: Award-Winning Journalist, Host and Creator of Healed Girl Era Podcast
Who's That It Girl: Gia Peppers is an award-winning journalist, host, and podcaster who uses her platforms to tell powerful stories. Through More Than That and Healed Girl Era, she reminds audiences to embrace their voice and value.
Actress, Executive Producer, and Founder Marsai Martin
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Marsai Martin
Her Handle: @marsaimartin
Her Title: Actress, Executive Producer, and Founder of Genius Entertainment and Sai Summer Cookout
Who's That It Girl: Marsai Martin is a creative prodigy with executive energy. We’re inspired by her for producing, directing, and acting with intention, showing young Black girls that leadership starts wherever you decide it does.
Rapper and Singer Doechii
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Doechii
Her Handle: @doechii
Her Title: Rapper and Singer
Who's That It Girl: A lyrical firestorm and unapologetic visionary, Doechii is shaping the sound of this generation. We honor her for pushing the boundaries of genre, performance, and self-expression with fearless creativity.
Actress, Singer, Producer and TV Host Keke Palmer
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Keke Palmer
Her Handle: @keke
Her Title: Actress, Singer, Producer and TV Host
Who's That It Girl: An icon of charisma and confidence, Keke Palmer is entertainment royalty. We celebrate her for leading with humor, honesty, and hustle, showing that versatility is her superpower and evolution her legacy.
Actress, Model, Singer, Designer, Content Creator and Entrepreneur Nzinga Imani
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Nzinga Imani
Her Handle: @nzingaimani
Her Title: Actress, Model, Singer, Designer, Content Creator and Entrepreneur
Who's That It Girl: We love Nzinga Imani for her bold authenticity and on-screen presence. As an actress, model, and entrepreneur, she’s redefining beauty and representation in entertainment.
Rapper and Singer Monaleo
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Monaleo
Her Handle: @themonaleo
Her Title: Rapper and Singer
Who's That It Girl: Monaleo’s voice hits with power and purpose. We honor her for pairing confidence with vulnerability, turning her truth into anthems that inspire women to heal loudly and live boldly.
Singer and Songwriter Amaarae
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Amaarae
Her Handle: @amaarae
Her Title: Singer and Songwriter
Who's That It Girl: With a sound that bends genres and a style that breaks rules, Amaarae is one of music’s most daring voices. We celebrate her for pushing boundaries, owning her individuality, and amplifying the power of Afro-fusion on a global stage.
Singer, KATSEYE Monan Bannerman
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Monan Bannerman
Her Handle: @meretmanon
Her Title: Singer, KATSEYE
Who's That It Girl: As a member of KATSEYE, Monan merges style, grace, and global influence. We celebrate her for bringing cultural depth and individuality to the next generation of pop icons.
Singer, Actress, Creative Director, and Choreographer Teyana Taylor
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Teyana Taylor
Her Handle: @teyanataylor
Her Title: Singer, Actress, Creative Director, and Choreographer
Who's That It Girl: Teyana Taylor is the embodiment of artistry, singer, choreographer, director, designer. We honor her for transforming every creative avenue she touches into a masterpiece of movement, emotion, and empowerment.
Singer, Songwriter and Producer Laila!
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Laila!
Her Handle: @prodlaila
Her Title: Singer, Songwriter, and Producer
Who's That It Girl: Laila is the creative force whose sound pulses with honesty and energy. We honor her for capturing emotion through production and storytelling, inspiring a new era of music that feels intimate yet universal.
Actress Antonia Gentry
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Antonia Gentry
Her Handle: @_antoniagentry_
Her Title: Actress
Who's That It Girl: With talent that transcends screens, Antonia Gentry brings raw emotion and grace to every performance. We honor her for reminding us that vulnerability is strength and that storytelling can be both healing and revolutionary.
Actress and Model Laura Harrier
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Laura Harrier
Her Handle: @lauraharrier
Her Title: Actress and Model
Who's That It Girl: Effortlessly chic and profoundly grounded, Laura Harrier is redefining Hollywood grace. We celebrate her for using her platform to champion representation and for proving that elegance and activism can coexist beautifully.
R&B Singer/Songwriter, Actress Coco Jones
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Coco Jones
Her Handle: @cocojones
Her Title: R&B Singer/Songwriter, Actress
Who's That It Girl: Coco Jones is a Grammy-winning R&B breakout who captivates with her timeless artistry and soulful voice. She also stars as Hilary Banks in the Bel-Air reboot and recently wrapped an upcoming romantic comedy That’s Her.
Entrepreneur, Media Personality and Philanthropist Lauren Speed-Hamilton
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Lauren Speed-Hamilton
Her Handle: @need4lspeed
Her Title: Entrepreneur, Media Personality and Philanthropist
Who's That It Girl: Lauren Speed-Hamilton turned her Love Is Blind journey into a masterclass in purpose-driven storytelling. We love her for inspiring authenticity in love, media, and entrepreneurship, building connection where vulnerability meets vision.
Actress and Singer Amber Riley
Credit: xoNecole
Amber Riley
Her Handle: @msamberpriley
Her Title: Actress and Singer
Who's That It Girl: Amber Riley’s voice is pure power, soulful, spiritual, and unforgettable. We celebrate her for using her artistry to uplift others, redefining what resilience and radiance look like in entertainment.
Joy Woods
Her Handle: @joynwoods
Her Title: Actress
Who's That It Girl: Joy Woods’ name says it all, joy radiates through every note she sings. We’re inspired by her Broadway brilliance and her commitment to showing that Black women’s voices are boundless and breathtaking.
Country Singer, Songwriter Tanner Adell
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Tanner Adell
Her Handle: @tanneradell
Her Title: Country Singer, Songwriter
Who's That It Girl: With a voice as bold as her vision, Tanner Adell is redefining country music with style and soul. We celebrate her for breaking barriers, blending cultures, and creating a sound that’s unapologetically her own.
Producer, Host and Media Maven Kéla Walker
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Kéla Walker
Her Handle: @KelaWalker
Her Title: Producer, Host and Media Maven
Who's That It Girl: Kéla Walker is a 7x Emmy-nominated producer, host, and digital tastemaker, a modern-day media maven merging television storytelling with contemporary influence. As the founder of Walker Media Group, she curates aspirational lifestyle content anchored in style, culture, and substance. From red carpets to real life, Kéla brings a distinct point of view that bridges legacy media and the digital landscape.
TV Personality Riley Burruss
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Riley Burruss
Her Handle: @rileyburruss
Her Title: TV Personality
Who's That It Girl: We celebrate Riley Burruss as a rising creative and storyteller forging her own space in entertainment. Fresh out of NYU with a degree in music business, she’s building momentum through Next Gen NYC and her podcast The Burruss Banter, all while exploring a future in entertainment law.
Entrepreneur, Actor, Model, Style Icon and Entrepreneur Lori Harvey
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Lori Harvey
Her Handle: @loriharvey
Her Title: Beauty Entrepreneur, Actor, Model, Style Icon and Entrepreneur
Who's That It Girl: Lori Harvey embodies modern femininity and independence. We celebrate her for turning self-love into legacy and for inspiring women to walk confidently in their own power.
Actress Storm Reid
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Storm Reid
Her Handle: @stormreid
Her Title: Actress
Who's That It Girl: Storm Reid radiates brilliance far beyond her years. We love her for bringing compassion, creativity, and courage to every role, a true beacon for young women dreaming of changing the world through art.
Actress Whitney Peak
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Whitney Peak
Her Handle: @whitneypeak
Her Title: Actress
Who's That It Girl: Whitney Peak exudes quiet confidence and magnetic charm. We celebrate her for redefining modern cool and for reminding young women that authenticity is the most timeless form of beauty.
Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women shaping the culture this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by xoStaff
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Using the same material from the interior of the Volvo EX90, Hudson crafted a wool-blend car coat and waistbelt that combine the vehicle’s Scandinavian design with his signature tailoring and intention. The exclusive collection launched on October 20, and each piece is made-to-order by Sergio Hudson Collections.
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In October, I traveled to Charleston with a group of journalists to get a firsthand look at Hudson and Volvo’s location. During a fitting, Hudson said his goal is to make “great work that can stand the test of time.”
“People can look back on and say, ‘I remember when Sergio did that collaboration with Volvo,’” he continued. “Thinking about aligning yourself with classic brands that speak to where you want to go. And I think that's what this collaboration kind of means to me and my business.”
Hudson pinpoints his mom as the biggest influence for his designs. This collaboration was no different.
“This particular coat reminded me of the swing coats that my mom used to wear in the early 90s. You know, diva girls in the early 90s had Sandra suits,” he said, referring to Jackée Harry’s character in 227. “My mom wore those and she would have these matching swing coats to go over them. And that's where the initial idea came. This would be around the same time that we had our Volvo. So she would put on her suit, her swing coat, get in that red Volvo, and go to church.”
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With this capsule and beyond, Hudson wants to see more staples rotating in and out of closets this fall. He advises fashionistas to build her closet out with essentials to mix and match that aren’t just stylish but also sustainable.
“It's just those special pieces,” he said. “You can wear the same shirt and pants every day and nobody will notice. But if you have a special boot, a special coat, a special bill, a special bag, that kind of speaks to everything that your style stands about, that is something you should focus on.”
These are the same kind of staple pieces that return to our Pinterest boards and TikTok feeds season after season. Fast fashion has never been Hudson’s aim. “I'm trying to create a special pieces that can stand the test of time,” he said in his warm, Southern accent. “I'm only creating those kind of pieces from here on out.”
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For Hudson, this collaboration is revolutionary. It’s his first time working with a car company and experimenting outside of his wheelhouse in this way.
“This is a Scandinavian brand, and, you know, it's 70 years old. I'm an African-American boy from South Carolina that has had a brand for 10 years. So I think bridging those two worlds and seeing the similarities was the beauty of this project,” he explained.
Though Hudson and his partner and CEO of Sergio Hudson Collections Inga Beckham have made massive strides in just 10 years, Hudson said the industry is far from where he wants to see it when it comes to Black representation. He pointed to how few Black designers were at this year’s Met Gala despite the theme being Black dandyism.
“The fact that I dressed 18 people speaks to how many of us weren't there,” he said. He implored more of industries, fashion and beyond, to collaborate with Black designers often.
“Allow mentorship. Allow funding. Allow great design to shine through,” he implored. “When it comes to being a designer of African descent, when you can't get the funding that your counterparts have, you can't compete. When you get opportunities like doing a collaboration with Volvo, or you get opportunities to be at the Met Gala, that's putting us on the equal playing field, but really the funding behind it is what we need to take it to that desk level.”
Featured image courtesy
By the time December arrived, especially as a Jersey girl going to see the tree at Rockefeller Center in the city, enjoying the holiday bars, time with my family, all the holiday rituals that once brought me joy, decorating my tree, and planning holiday outings, felt distant.
I wasn’t burned out from doing too much. I was exhausted from holding everything. I realized I didn’t need to host or attend a holiday party. I needed to halt. I needed a pause.
So I packed my bags and took a solo trip to Aruba.
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Ironically, Embassy Suites was my happy place growing up.
My birthdays were marked by pool parties and sleepovers, and swimming became my earliest form of regulation. Years later, that instinct returned. When life feels unsteady, I go back to the water. Whether it’s swimming indoors at the gym, at local pools, or in the ocean, water calms me. There felt like no better way to let my body finally exhale than spending four days alone, surrounded by the sea.
I love a baecation, a girls’ trip, and a family vacation just as much as the next person — cousins’ trips are still my favorite, sorry to the rest of my family — but this time, I needed rest and silence. Total quiet outside of my Spotify playlist and the sound of waves. A break from my titles — from being the reliable one, the founder, the social media manager, the journalist, the one who’s always available, the oldest daughter.
As Black women, we’re often taught to hold everything together long before anyone asks us to. I didn’t grow up seeing the women who raised me vacation much. They did occasionally travel, but I saw them work more than anything. They held all the titles they taught me to hold (and then some), and they still do. Before the plane even took off, both of my phones were ringing nonstop.
The need for rest wasn’t theoretical, dramatic, or a TikTok cliché of how a vacation would heal me - it was urgent.
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Where I Stayed
Staying at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort, which opened in 2023, made slowing down feel possible. While Embassy Suites is often associated with business or family travel, the Aruba property is one of eight Embassy Suites resorts worldwide — designed as a true resort experience rather than a traditional hotel stay.
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One of the most grounding features of the property is its direct underground walkway to the beach, allowing guests to move from the hotel to the shoreline safely and seamlessly. Upon arrival, I was met with private palapas reserved for hotel guests, calm, clear waters, and a family-friendly experience where infants, adults, and even pets were welcome (yes, I felt guilty for leaving my dog, but again - I needed the rest lol.)
While it isn’t marketed as a wellness hotel, there were thoughtful nods to well-being throughout the stay.
Daily movement offerings like yoga, Pilates, and water aerobics were available throughout the week, adding to the resort’s offerings as well as a kids club, a gym, and many rooms to hold meetings and celebrations.
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Each morning began slowly with a complimentary breakfast at Brickstone Kitchen, featuring local tropical fruits and a made-to-order omelette bar. Brickstone Café offered an easy stop for coffee throughout the day, reinforcing the unhurried pace of the resort, and daily, I sat outside overlooking the ocean, taking in the view and the waves.
Snorkeling and Enjoying Cultural Cuisine
Beyond the hotel, I explored Aruba through moments that felt equally restorative. I snorkeled with Red Sail Aruba, swimming in some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen. I enjoyed beef croquette, pastechi, and the country’s official cocktail, the Aruba Ariba — a drink invented by a Hilton bartender more than sixty years ago. Those moments made me feel present, not like a visitor rushing through.
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Dining & the Nervous System Moment
Dinner at Brickstones Restaurant, led by Barbadian-born Executive Sous Chef Andre Nurse, became one of the most defining moments of the trip. I expected to enjoy rotating fish-of-the-day selections — from mahi-mahi to sea bass, alongside fresh ceviche and surf-and-turf plates featuring sirloin with coconut curry shrimp. And I did. But during my first dinner, overlooking the property and the beach as the sun began to set, something unexpected happened.
As I waited for my meal, I could feel the stress leaving my body. A full-body tingle moved through me. My shoulders softened. My breath slowed. My body shifted out of fight-or-flight and finally stood down. I experienced a parasympathetic release.
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According to Harvard Health, the parasympathetic nervous systemacts like a brake after stress, calming the body once danger has passed. I didn’t realize how long my body had been bracing until it stopped. I closed my eyes, let the chills move through me, and surrendered to the calm I had been needing. For the first time in weeks, my nervous system stopped bracing. It was like my body was telling me to slow down and finally listen.
Seeing the Island, Fully
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On my final evening, I experienced Aruba beyond the resort when the hotel’s marketing director offered to drive me around the island — a gesture that became one of the highlights of my trip. We revisited Eagle Beach, continued north to the California Lighthouse — a historic beacon built in the early 20th century and perched at the island’s northern tip — and took in panoramic views that made Aruba’s stillness feel even more profound.
We ended the night with a stop at Starbucks Aruba and a conversation about the island’s long-standing connection to aloe. Long before it became a global skincare staple, aloe was one of Aruba’s primary exports, thriving in the island’s dry climate and shaping a local industry that still exists today. Learning that history — how the land itself has long been used for healing — added another layer to the experience.
Aruba brought me face-to-face with what I’d been avoiding: radical self-care and sustainable practices that root me even when life feels unsteady. I returned home lighter — not because my circumstances had changed, but because my body remembered what safety feels like.
I came back to my family, the remainder of the holiday season, and my work with a clearer sense of what I need to protect moving forward, and dedicated to the next adventure
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