Kayla Gilly // Hearst Owned

This year, Gen Z has garnered more attention than ever for their viral creativity, political vocality, and deeply personal responses to a world that is feeling less and less human by the day. That’s no easy feat for a group of people—some who are about to enter their 30s and some who are just now legally allowed to enter the club—facing off against AI and unrelenting timelines while also being expected to lead those who come next. Yet so many are meeting the moment with persistence and optimism, and finding unexpected ways to shape our lives for the better.

To create Cosmopolitan ’s 2026 Z-Stars list—an annual celebration of Gen Z luminaries driving our culture forward—we cast a wide net across industries like entertainment, sports, art, politics, science, and beyond. We searched for people influencing the way we think, act, love, and laugh both online and in person.…