Iggy Azalea, Chris Lilley join Margot Robbie, Kylie on Rolling Stone’s first top 50 Icons list

Rolling Stone’s inaugural list of 50 influential Aussie stars of music, screen and comedy created some “robust” debate. See the list and have your say.

50 top aussie icons now

Iggy Azalea is in but the Kid Laroi is out. Chris Lilley makes the cut but not Tim Minchin. And Jessica Mauboy claims a spot but not Delta Goodrem.

Pop culture fans are going to have strong opinions about the Rolling Stone list of 50 influential stars of music, screen and comedy of Australia and New Zealand revealed in its first Icons issue this week.

Editor-in-chief Poppy Reid said there were “robust” debates among the list’s judging panel as they compiled the list, and controversial mockumentary creator Lilley wasn’t in her personal top 50.

The comedian was one of the biggest television stars in Australia from 2005 with a succession of series including We Can Be Heroes, Summer Heights High and Angry Boys which won Logies and ARIA awards and were also broadcast in the UK, US and Canada.

His shows attracted criticism for their treatment of mental disabilities, homosexuality, sexual abuse, and racism and were removed by Netflix in 2020 at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. They are now available to stream on BINGE.

Chris Lilley landed on the list for his “influence on pop culture” through the 2000s. Picture: Supplied.

“Regardless about how you feel about Chris Lilley, his influence on pop culture is undeniable and he was one of the biggest success stories to come out of Australian comedy in the 21st century. Until he wasn’t,” Reid said.

“Personally he does not make my own list and obviously we debated it as we pitted his career and all of his movements against our criteria and the majority of people on that panel felt like that it was really important that he was included.”

Magda Szubanski is a Rolling Stone Icon. Picture: Getty.

Lilley sits on the unranked top 50 alongside comedians including Hannah Gadsby, Hamish and Andy, Carl Barron, Jim Jefferies, Julia Morris, Dave Hughes and Magda Szubanski while multifaceted talents such as Tim Minchin, Adam Hills and Celeste Barber missed out.

According to Reid, their judging criteria ruled out late legends and bands or groups, with Jimmy Barnes and Daniel Johns making the cut for their solo careers.

K-Pop superstars BlackPink features New Zealand-born, Melbourne-raised Rosé (right). Picture: Supplied.

Contenders had to be “entertainment careerists who have had the most cultural impact”, those recognised for “breaking down barriers and shattering ceilings and opening doors for people.”

The youngest Icon is 26-year-old New Zealand-born, Melbourne-raised Rosé of K-Pop superstar girl group BlackPink, while screen legend Paul Hogan is the oldest at 84.

Rapper Iggy Azalea was Australia’s first global hip hop export a decade ago and remains one of the most streamed female artists. She has also become one of the biggest celebrity earners on OnlyFans, with her racy videos reportedly bringing in almost $50 million since she launched her content in January.

Iggy Azalea moved to America to chase her hip hop dream and nailed No. 1s around the world with her New Classic record. Picture: Supplied.

Yet Laroi didn’t get a mention despite having almost 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify (Azalea has just over seven million) and is the first Australian artist to headline a stadium tour in his home country since Sia in 2017.

“Iggy was another one who was hotly debated. I feel like she’s had undeniable influence since she broke out with the New Classic (in 2014) and she’s had multiple hit singles since then,” Reid said.

The obvious music legends to be afforded Icons status by Rolling Stone include John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Barnes, Keith Urban, Neil and Tim Finn, Nick Cave, Paul Kelly, Tina Arena and Sia.

It wouldn’t be an Icons list without John Farnham. Picture: Hanna Lassen/WireImage.

Jessica Mauboy made the list over her 2000s pop peers Guy Sebastian and Delta Goodrem, who are celebrating the 20th anniversaries of their debut records this year, primarily because of her “cultural cross-pollination across music and screen.” And there’s her collaborations with global stars including Flo Rida, Jason Derulo and Snoop Dogg.

Rolling Stone editor in chief Poppy Reid said there was “robust” debate about the list. Picture: Karima Assad / Supplied.

“We could go back and find some heavyhitting collaborations that Delta and Guy have done but for Jessica Mauboy to actually be cosigned (endorsed) by Snoop Dogg is pretty amazing. And they still text each other, they’re still buddies,” Reid said.

Australia’s Hollywood heavyweights and their vast impact on the global film and television industries is unmissable on the list with Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Chris Hemsworth, Eric Bana, Jacki Weaver, Rebel Wilson, Rose Byrne, Russell Crowe, Taika Waititi and Margot Robbie.

Margot Robbie is already exerting powerful influence on Hollywood with her career moves. Picture: AFP.

“Margot Robbie is just such a weapon, not only as an actor but like Nicole Kidman, as someone with her own film company with the goal of bringing female-led stories to the screen, she will have an impact that will be felt for decades to come,” Reid said.

A final couple of head-scratchers on the list are Richard Wilkins – for championing our actors and musicians to the world – and former SBS newsreader Lee Lee Chin, who retired in 2018.

Reid’s “honourable mentions” who missed out include Lorde, Joel Edgerton, Don Walker and Isla Fisher.

The Rolling Stone exclusive Icons Issue collector edition hits selected stores in Australia and NZ from December 4.

Rolling Stones Icons issue is out on December 4. Picture: Supplied.

Rolling Stone AU/NZ Icons

Angus Young – AC/DC co-founder, lead guitarist, songwriter

Bic Runga – NZ singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist pop singer

Carl Barron – comedian

Cate Blanchett – actor

Chris Hemsworth – actor

Chris Lilley – Australian actor & comedian

Dame Hinewehi Mohi – NZ musician & producer

Daniel Johns – musician & singer/songwriter

AC/DC guitar hero Angus Young is indisputably an Australian Icon. Picture: Supplied

Dave Hughes – comedian

Deborah Mailman – actor

Elle Macpherson – model, actor, presenter & entrepreneur

Eric Bana – actor

Finn Brothers (Neil & Tim) – NZ musicians

Flea – musician & actor

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea is an Aussie rock legend. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Hamish & Andy – comedy duo/presenters

Hannah Gadsby – comedian

Hugh Jackman – actor

Iggy Azalea – rapper

Jacki Weaver – actor

Jemaine Clement & Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) – NZ musicians & comedians

Jessica Mauboy – singer/songwriter

Jim Jefferies – comedian & actor

Jimmy Barnes – singer

Joel Little – NZ record producer & musician

John Farnham – singer

Julia Morris – comedian & presenter

Keith Urban – singer & guitarist

Kevin Parker – singer/songwriter, producer & DJ

Kylie Minogue – singer

We’re spinning around for Kylie making the Rolling Stone list of legends. Picture: Getty.

Lee Lin Chin – news journalist & television presenter

Magda Szubanski – comedy actor & writer

Margot Robbie – actor & film producer

Naomi Watts – actor

Nick Cave – musician & actor

Nicole Kidman – actor & film producer

The Queen of screen Nicole Kidman has also been influential behind the scenes. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Monique Harmer

Paul Hogan – actor

Paul Kelly – rock singer/songwriter

Rebel Wilson – actor & comedian

Rhys Darby – NZ actor & comedian

Richard Wilkins – TV & radio presenter

Rosé (BlackPink) – K-pop singer & dancer

Rose Byrne – actor

Rose Matafeo – NZ comedian & actor

Jessica Mauboy made the cut for her impact across music, film and television. Picture: Supplied

Russell Crowe – actor & musician

Sam Neill – NZ actor

Sia – singer/songwriter

Taika Waititi – NZ filmmaker & actor

Temuera Morrison – NZ actor

Tina Arena – singer/songwriter

Toni Collette – actor