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The Associated Press names its 9 Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022

Stranger Things and Everything Everywhere All at Once stars among those chosen
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This image released by A24 Films shows, from left, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh and James Hong in a scene from BԪַEverything Everywhere All at Once.BԪַ (Allyson Riggs/A24 via AP)

They worked hard, with the rewards coming slowly but surely. Then something came along BԪַ often a key role or sometimes a cluster, maybe an album BԪַ and it all became next-level, a shift triggering where-did-you-come-from vibes.

That describes most of this yearBԪַs nine They are , , , , , , , and .

Sink had been on Broadway and worked alongside stars such as Naomi Watts and Helen Mirren. But playing Max Mayfield in the fourth season of BԪַStranger Things,BԪַ she broke through as a brave skater girl who never lets go of her Walkman, who hates pink, plays video games and is a BԪַDragonBԪַs LairBԪַ champion.

Hsu also was a Broadway veteran with a few TV credits when she was asked to play both a sullen teen and an intergalactic supervillain in the movie That led to an unforgettable performance that included dressing as Elvis and walking a pig on a leash.

Like many of the others on the list, Kalukango had racked up plenty of Broadway credits when she took a risk and played the lead in a Broadway musical, BԪַParadise Square.BԪַ It led to a best actress in a leading role Tony Award and a stunning moment in the telecast when she sang BԪַLet It Burn.BԪַ

isnBԪַt one of HuertaBԪַs biggest roles but the Mexican actor suddenly launched a hundred memes as the mutant leader of a kingdom based on Mayan and Aztec influences beneath the ocean for centuries. Huerta, known for roles in the Netflix series BԪַNarcos: MexicoBԪַ and the movie BԪַThe Forever Purge,BԪַ has taken a big step for movie diversity.

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Nwigwe, just nominated for a Grammy as best new artist, has been bubbling up with noted appearances on NPRBԪַs Tiny Desk Concert series and earning a spot on Michelle ObamaBԪַs 2020 workout playlist with BԪַIBԪַm Dope.BԪַ This year, the Houston-based artist was featured on the BԪַBlack Panther: Wakanda ForeverBԪַ soundtrack and dropped the EP BԪַmoMINTsBԪַ to acclaim.

McCormack has worked consistently since 2018 but 2022 seems to have turned into something special with a constellation of roles BԪַ BԪַPeaky Blinders,BԪַ the buzzy, dark comedy thriller BԪַBad Sisters,BԪַ plus a star-making performance as the title character in the film opposite Emma Thompson.

Ashley, a British actress of Indian heritage with a Tamil background, found herself leading season two of the Regency-era period drama BԪַBridgerton.BԪַ She had a role in the series BԪַSex Education,BԪַ but playing the fiercely independent Kate Sharma for Shonda Rhimes was her first lead character in a major production.

Deadwyler burst into the awards race this year with her performance in as Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of teenager Emmett Till, who was lynched in 1955. She has also appeared in BԪַThe Harder They Come,BԪַ BԪַWatchmenBԪַ and the Netflix series BԪַFrom ScratchBԪַ and BԪַStation Eleven.BԪַ

Vellani, another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on this list, is the exception, having had no such slow burn. The 19-year-old actor in BԪַMs. MarvelBԪַ plays a high school student only to find herself suddenly wielding powers of her own. And Vellani, in real life, is just starting to find her powers, like all the entertainers nominated here.

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For more on APBԪַs 2022 class of Breakthrough Entertainers, please visit:

The Associated Press

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