The 2025 Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue: 12 trailblazing Icons
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
The 2025 Hollywood Issue highlights 12 audacious actors who have taken risks and navigated Hollywood’s shifting sands. They represent the future of stardom, showcasing their versatility and talent in various genres. Despite the challenges, these actors remain committed to their craft and are determined to shape the industry’s future.
Vanity Fair’s 31st annual Hollywood Issue
a dozen of the industry’s top stars shine
Even Zendaya wins some and loses some. Years ago, she was gearing up for a movie that fell apart just before production began. “At the time, we were like, 'Oh no,'” she shares. “But then I got the script for Euphoria, and that ended up taking that slot. I thought, ‘Thank God that movie fell apart.’” Her takeaway? You can never know what to expect from Hollywood. “It’s not like a corporate job where you climb a ladder,” she says. “This industry is unpredictable. You always have to prove you can still do it.”
The 12 stars on this year’s Hollywood cover have earned their spots by taking risks and navigating the unpredictable landscape of Hollywood. By following their instincts and showing immense courage, they’re redefining what modern stardom should look like—even as studios and executives scramble to catch up.
Hollywood's Leading Lights on Taking Risks and Staying True
Nicole Kidman acknowledges the uncertainty in Hollywood today. “Everything’s harder now,” she admits. Nevertheless, she picks the scripts, like the provocative drama Babygirl, that resonate with her. “If it’s a risk, I’ll take it,” Kidman says. “But I won’t dwell on the fear, because that’s paralyzing.” Danielle Deadwyler’s approach involves traversing genres, particularly impactful historical stories. “I’m trying to ride through different eras,” she says, “in times when people would rather forget history.”
Some actors, frustrated by the lack of opportunities, take matters into their own hands. Sydney Sweeney launched her own production company, while Lisa from Blackpink, soon to star in The White Lotus, started her own talent management agency. Dev Patel co-wrote and directed Monkey Man. “I don’t have to be at the mercy of what’s available anymore,” Patel says.
Glen Powell took control of his career by co-writing Hit Man. Alongside projects like Twisters and Anyone but You, he’s now a bankable leading man. “I think about what the audience wants to see rather than just what I want,” Powell explains. Zoe Saldaña has given audiences blockbuster films, but it was the musical Emilia Pérez that brought her the most fulfillment. Bill Skarsgård has built his career portraying dark, complex characters, most recently as a vampire in Nosferatu. “Some actors play versions of themselves, and they’re brilliant,” Skarsgård says. “But I need to get as far from myself as possible.”
Jonathan Bailey agrees. “I’m tired of seeing actors play the same character repeatedly,” he says. After becoming a household name with Bridgerton, Bailey is expanding his range with projects like Fellow Travelers, Wicked, and Jurassic World Rebirth. Josh O’Connor has also reinvented himself since portraying Prince Charles on The Crown. He took on the role of a tomb raider speaking Italian in La Chimera and transformed into a tennis bad boy for Challengers.
the 2025 Hollywood issue’s Cover STARS
Zendaya
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Dune: Part Two, Challengers, The Drama
Movie star. Emmy winner. Fashion icon. The Euphoria superstar has stepped into her leading lady era with sci-fi and a tennis ménage à trois. As a fierce coach in Challengers, Zendaya had to get physical with her costars—sometimes too physical. “I’m like ‘Goodness, girl, stop putting your hands on people,’” she says.
Glen Powell
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Twisters, Hit Man, Chad Powers, The Running Man
If you need somebody to play a classic leading man, call this guy. He’s been an action hero, a chameleon, and a heartthrob (in Anyone but You) in short order. Once, the industry didn’t seem to want him at all: “As a struggling actor, there’s no harder place to live than Hollywood.”
Nicole Kidman
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Babygirl, The Perfect Couple, A Family Affair, Lioness
Kidman’s brave turn in the upcoming Babygirl and her enigmatic matriarch in the murder mystery The Perfect Couple were just part of a busy, thrilling year. She credits spontaneity: “Overthinking things can become crippling, so I tend not to.”
Zoe Saldaña
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Emilia Pérez, Lioness, Avatar: Fire and Ash
This queen of sci-fi has starred in some of the biggest franchises in history, including Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek. Her terrific performance in the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez, which brought her back to dancing and her native tongue, “felt like going home,” she says—and likely set her on her way to her first Oscar nomination.
Dev Patel
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Monkey Man, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More, Rabbit Trap
A star since Slumdog Millionaire, Patel has inhabited complex heroes from Sir Gawain to David Copperfield. Directing, cowriting, and starring in Monkey Man broke his bones but not his spirit: “I started the process with a Gandhi-like approach, and by the end of it, I was more Malcolm X.”
Sydney Sweeney
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Eden, Immaculate, Echo Valley
While awaiting the third season of Euphoria, Sweeney helped conceive a headline-making press tour for Anyone but You and established herself as a producer to be reckoned with. She’ll soon be seen as real-life boxer Christy Martin, and she’s remaking the Jane Fonda movie Barbarella.
Josh O’Connor
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Challengers, La Chimera, The History of Sound, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Playing Prince Charles (so well) on The Crown could have dogged him forever, but this year alone O’Connor beguiled us as a washed-up tennis player and a British tomb raider who speaks almost exclusively in Italian. Why the variety? “The act of acting is a state of bliss for me,” he says.
Jonathan Bailey
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Wicked, Heartstopper, Bridgerton, Jurassic World Rebirth
He’s danced through life as well as movies, prestige TV, Regency romance, and queer love stories. Bailey’s career has soared as Hollywood has taken more risks. “I obviously did not imagine myself in this sort of career,” he says, “so that must be a sign of progress.”
Danielle Deadwyler
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: The Piano Lesson, I Saw the TV Glow, Parallel, Carry-On
After breaking through in Till (2022), Deadwyler won raves again for her blistering turn in the film adaptation of August Wilson’s famed play The Piano Lesson. She’s a force to be reckoned with as Berniece, a widow fighting for her family’s legacy.
Lisa
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: The White Lotus
The rapper, singer, and model has traveled the world with the massive K-pop group Blackpink but filmed her acting debut, in the HBO black comedy’s third season, back home in Thailand. When it comes to performing in front of tens of thousands of people, the size of the crowds still amazes her: “It’s like being in the ocean!”
Ncuti Gatwa
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Doctor Who, Masters of the Air, The Roses
The Rwandan Scottish actor is a shape-shifting maverick who bends every role into something surprising and new, whether it’s the immortal Doctor Who or a gay high schooler in Sex Education. “I like to think of myself as Madonna,” he says. “I’m still reinventing myself!”
Bill Skarsgård
Photographed by Gordon von Steiner
STARS IN: Nosferatu, The Crow, Welcome to Derry, Locked
He’s not the kind of actor who makes you feel for the monster. The Swedish star, best known as Pennywise in the It remakes, tends to shed his humanity as he probes our nightmares. In Nosferatu, he brings new life to the vampire: “The darker characters tend to be more complex. More mental gymnastics are needed.”
Remaining Authentic Amid Hollywood’s Chaos
One thing unites these cover stars: their commitment to staying true to themselves. Ncuti Gatwa, who portrays the iconic Doctor Who, says it best: “I’ve never bought into the idea of changing myself to fit the industry. That’s just not going to happen.” His sentiment resonates across the cover—a collection of actors pushing Hollywood forward by daring to be their most authentic selves.
Credits
Photographed and directed by Gordon von Steiner
Styled by George Cortina
Hair by Adir Abergel (Kidman), Kim Kimble (Zendaya), Mara Roszak (Saldaña), Ward Stegerhoek (all others)
Makeup by Ernesto Casillas (Zendaya), Vera Steimberg (Saldaña), Gucci Westman (Kidman), Romy Soleimani (all other women)
Manicures by Alex Jachno (all except Zendaya)
Grooming by Romy Soleimani
Tailors, Alvard Bazikian, Hasmik Kourinian, Susie Kourinian, Irina Tshartaryan
Set design by Marla Weinhoff
Produced on location by ProdN
Postproduction by Gloss
Location, Milk Studios, LA
Cover Fashion Credits, Beauty and Grooming Credits Throughout:
Glen Powell’s clothing by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello; boots by Husbands Paris; tie by Paul Stuart; pocket square by Charvet. Zendaya’s suit by Tom Ford; shoes by Christian Louboutin; earrings by Bulgari. Nicole Kidman’s custom-made gown by Balenciaga Couture; shoes by Christian Louboutin. Zoe Saldaña’s clothing and shoes by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. Dev Patel’s suit and shoes by Gucci; shirt, tie, and pocket square by Charvet; socks by Pantherella. Sydney Sweeney’s dress by Miu Miu; shoes by Christian Louboutin. Josh O’Connor’s jacket, pants, and shoes by Loewe; socks by Pantherella; watch by Cartier. Danielle Deadwyler’s bodysuit by Dior Haute Couture; shoes by Jimmy Choo. Jonathan Bailey’s suit by Giorgio Armani; shirt and tie by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello; shoes by Husbands Paris; pocket square by Charvet. Lisa’s dress by Louis Vuitton; shoes by Gianvito Rossi. Ncuti Gatwa’s suit by Dolce & Gabbana; shirt and tie by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello; shoes by Husbands Paris; socks by Pantherella; ring by Tiffany & Co. Bill Skarsgård’s suit by Dior Men; shirt by Tom Ford; shoes by Husbands Paris; tie by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello; pocket square by Charvet.
Throughout: hair products by Color Wow (Zendaya), Rōz (Saldaña), Virtue Labs (Kidman), Kérastase Paris (all others); makeup products by Addiction Tokyo (Saldaña), Armani Beauty (Sweeney), Dior Beauty (Deadwyler), Westman Atelier (Kidman); nail enamel by Essie (all women except Zendaya); grooming products by Dior Sauvage.
For details, go to VF.com/credits.
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