WOMEN TO WATCH 2025

OK! looks at the fresh crop of female talent emerging in the new year - across acting, music, sport and social media

- LISA JARVIS, SHELLEY SPADONI

With the new year comes new talent, and 2025 promises us a whole new generation of gifted women. Denise Palmer-Davies, director of female-led PR firm Borne Media, predicts this year will be an exciting one for rising stars.

"We're finally seeing more women being recognised in their fields," she says. "It's refreshing that every year we see upcoming stars enter the fold, adding to the pool of brilliant female role models." According to Denise, three of the biggest breakout stars of 2025 will come from film. Mikey Madison is expected to get an Oscars nod for Anora while Sydney Sweeney stars in one of the most anticipated films of the year, The Housemaid. And Rachel Zegler has taken on "her biggest role yet" in the spring release of Snow White.

On the small screen, Hattie Dynevor follows in big sister Phoebe's footsteps and is predicted to win more roles after Waterloo Road.

Molly Windsor, best known for the Three Girls, will star in new Netflix psychological drama Out Of The Dust. "Molly is a fantastic actress who isn't afraid to get stuck into gritty roles," Denise says.

K-pop star Lalisa Manobal is breaking into acting with her role in The White Lotus and Denise says "viewers will be left impressed".

In sport, Denise says footballer Grace Clinton is one to watch.

"There will be a lot of little girls with her name on their shirts in the future." Maia Bouchier is fast-emerging as a role model in cricket.

"She's super talented and an eloquent member of the LGBQT+ community. A name we should all know," says Denise.

Another name we should become familiar with is Kate Rose Morgan, a new social media star in the interior design community.