Taylor Zakhar Perez, David Jonsson, Tati Gabrielle, Luna Blaise, Louisa Jacobson, Esther McGregor, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Geraldine Viswanathan, Sarah Pidgeon, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Mia Threapleton, Suzanna Son, Young Mazino, and Benito Skinner are making waves as some of the most exciting breakout talents in Hollywood. As part of ELLE’s Hollywood Rising Class of 2025, these next-gen icons reflect on the surreal, full-circle, and unforgettable “pinch me” moments that have shaped their journeys so far—from meeting idols and landing dream roles to standing on red carpets and making their families proud. Watch as these rising stars share candid stories about what it feels like when the Hollywood dream starts to come true.
Read about ELLE’s Hollywood Rising Here: LINK
Read about ELLE’s Hollywood Rising Here: LINK
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PeopleTranscript
00:00This is Hollywood Rising.
00:01This is Hollywood Rising.
00:03This is Hollywood Rising.
00:05All right, what is your pinch-me Hollywood moment?
00:08My pinch-me Hollywood moment.
00:12My pinch-me Hollywood moment was when I met Spike Lee.
00:17Meeting Jeff Goldblum.
00:18He's like the definition of fab.
00:21I got to meet Sebastian Stan.
00:23He was just like an example of perfect acting.
00:27Being on set with Pedro Almodovar.
00:29He got to divulge into his own life story.
00:31He opened up a lot, so it was really interesting.
00:34And then he said, can I have a picture with you?
00:36And I said, are you Jamie Foxx asking me if I can take a picture with you?
00:40And I was like, hi, I just want to say you're the big reason.
00:45And he let me stutter through the whole thing.
00:47It's going to sound so weird.
00:48I got a really lovely compliment from a very famous actress.
00:54And she gave me a kiss on the cheek, which is very innocent.
00:57But it was so Hollywood.
01:00My pinch-me Hollywood moment.
01:02I came to LA just like as a little fangirl with my family.
01:07And we like camped outside of the Bridesmaids premiere.
01:09And I was like screaming at Kristen Wiig.
01:11And that was just like the coolest experience of my life.
01:13And then it was very full circle when Block is premiered at the same theater.
01:17When we found out we got nominated for the Emmy, and then I was invited to the Oscars, that was a surreal moment.
01:24I was able to go to the Tony Awards.
01:26And I still can't really believe that I got lucky enough to be there and sort of rub shoulders with so many incredible, talented people.
01:33Seeing my mom cry at Venice Film Festival and not having words to express what it was like for her to see her baby on screen.
01:42When I saw the film for the first time, I sat down and it was just me in a room.
01:48The opening credits started rolling and I burst into tears.
01:51I was standing outside the movie theater and Sean Baker walked up to me and asked if I'd like to audition for his movie.
01:57Nothing can compare.
01:58My Pinch Me Hollywood moment was my first day of set, working on beef.
02:04That's actually powerful.
02:06I think it was when I was shooting Overcompensating and we had this one scene that was with me, Kyle MacLachlan and Connie Britton.
02:13I kind of had this moment where I'm like, that's my mom and that's my dad.
02:16What the fuck?
02:17Like I can't believe I tricked people into giving me this show.
02:21Pinch Me.