The Aussie talents tipped for big success in 2019
A new year means it’s time for a new breed of actors, musicians, artists, designers and models to make their mark on the world. Sunday Confidential has taken a look at the talent set to do big things in 2019.
A new year means it’s time for a new breed of actors, musicians, artists, designers and models to make their mark on the world.
With the end of the year fast approaching, Sunday Confidential has taken a look at the talent set to do big things in 2019.
Get to know these faces and prepare for many of them to become household names in years to come.
ACTORS
Maggie McKenna
This all-singing, all-dancing, all-acting triple threat smashed onto the scene this year as the star of Muriel’s Wedding The Musical.
It earned her a Helpmann nomination for best actress. The daughter of Kath & Kim star Gina Riley has inherited her mother’s humour and great timing. She is now living in the US, starring in the female lead role of Zoe Murphy in Tony Award-winning show Dear Evan Hansen.
Danielle MacDonald
You might not recognise her name yet, but we have no doubt you will soon.
Sydneysider Danielle Macdonald’s star is quickly rising, with the young Australian actress tipped for big things in 2019.
She was on Confidential’s “ones to watch” list last year but we feel things are looking so bright for the 27-year-old that she deserves another mention.
Macdonald, who has been based in Los Angeles since impressing critics in her breakout role in Patti Cake$, most recently starred alongside Sandra Bullock in dystopian thriller Bird Box.
Troye Sivan
Although he is already a star, the singing sensation has made a name for himself in the acting world through his role in Boy Erased.
Co-star and fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman gushed about the West Australian when talking to Confidential recently.
“I have gotten to know him and he truly has such a good heart and I love Bloom (Sivan’s album), I think it is a fantastic album and he is such a talent,” she said.
Sophie Forrest
Already gaining a name for herself through her roles in Love Child and The Water Diviner, Forrest is in the box office hit Aquaman playing Fisherman Princess which is currently in cinemas.
She will play one of Michelle Payne’s sisters in Ride Like A Girl which will be in cinemas in 2019. Industry heavyweights have pegged her
as one of the next Aussie success stories.
MODELS
India Stibilj
Young gun India is new to the game but already making her mark in the modelling industry.
The 16-year-old Wahroonga-based beauty is part of the new generation of models coming through the ranks who instead of just looking pretty, have strong views on social issues and the environment, and it’s working for her.
Snapped up this year by Chic Model Management, her agents are touting her as
“one of the girls on everyone’s radar right now”.
Alannah Walton
Little known 18-year-old model Alannah Walton landed a spot on the coveted Victoria’s Secret runway the first time she auditioned this year.
The gig, her first ever international casting, has secured her the title of one to watch in 2019, with her agent IMG revealing the phone has been ringing hot for Walton ever since she walked for the lingerie juggernaut.
Jess Picton-Warlow
Commonly known in the industry as Jess PW, the 21-year-old model of the moment made her debut walking for Prada in 2016 and has since been a star on the rise ever since.
As of this year, the Perth-raised, New York-based model has walked for every major fashion house including Alexander McQueen, Dior, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Michael Kors, and Stella McCartney, as well as starred in campaigns for Marni and MAX&Co, so it’s no doubt things will happen for Jess PW in 2019.
MUSICIANS
The Erthlings
Sydney schoolgirls The Erthlings are still getting used to the music biz, but after an epic 2018, the only way is up for the 16-year-old singing sensations.
It was only three months ago that their debut single Bridges attracted attention as far away as the UK and US, praised by the likes of NME, Nylon Magazine and Paste Magazine, and championed by Matt Wilkinson and Zane Lowe across Apple Music’s Beats1 Radio.
The foursome — Issy, Jessame, Taylor and Lissa — capped off the year with the announcement that they will support multi ARIA award-winning artist Amy Shark during her Australian tour next year and will also release their second single.
Remaining down to earth amid the hype, the girls are determined to not grow up too fast and continue to write about subject matter to which their peers can relate. 2019 has big things in store for these four.
Ruel
Making waves as the youngest solo artist ever to win an ARIA award, 16-year-old Ruel (full name Ruel van Dijk) is well on his way to becoming a pop prince.
His seasoned, soulful voice earned him the title of Breakthrough Artist at Aussie music’s night of nights last month, on top of already achieving what many performers would dream about in a lifetime: a Commonwealth Games opening ceremony appearance, a budding bromance with Elton John, Triple J’s most in-demand Like A Version and a 16-date world tour.
The Guardian UK recently praised the youngster by declaring that he is already “producing the type of whip-cracking R&B that it took Justin Timberlake and Bieber years to deliver comfortably”.
The teen is already working on a new EP release for next year and a tour of Asia after playing gigs across Europe, the US, Canada and Japan, confirming he is already starting to Ruel the music world.
FASHION DESIGNERS
Marina Afonina
Afonina’s Albus Lumen label was only established in 2015 but has already fast become the fash-pack’s go-to brand.
The fact Afonina’s high-profile friends, including Lara Worthington, have supported the brand since its inception has seen the former finance student’s relatively new label go gangbusters.
Now stocked on net-a-porter, Matches Fashion and Moda Operandi, Afonina’s brand is on Sunday Confidential’s radar.
Kacey Devlin
Hard work pays off. Case in point — Kacey Devlin.
The talented 29-year-old — who founded her eponymous brand in 2014 — took home a national design award in 2017 and the local fashion set have taken notice ever since.
A finalist for the coveted Prix de marie claire Next Gen award, Devlin’s trademark — a silk dress with a dramatic collapsed back that can be worn multiple ways — has seen her brand go from pet project to being stocked globally in just four years.
Anna Quan
Kendall Jenner knows who she is, so it’s about time you do too.
Quan’s eponymous label, founded in 2015, is beginning to gain traction.
Known best for reinventing the classics, Quan made a name for herself after producing a sought-after crisp white shirt, complete with an oversized cuff and monogrammed initials.
However, since broadening her offering, the designer’s threads are more often seen on fashionistas both at home and abroad, thanks to stockists in Australia, the UK and the US, with plans to explore more opportunities in the North American market.
The emerging young designer gained momentum in 2017 when reality star-turned-world’s highest-paid model Kendall Jenner wore one of her jumpsuits to Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s pre-wedding luncheon hosted by Valentino Garavani.
ARTISTS
Dina Broadhurst
Art’s “It” girl Dina Broadhurst is a game-changer.
With a legion of high-profile and loyal fans, Broadhurst is fast becoming one of Sydney’s main art players and has been touted as the woman reinvigorating the local art scene.
Best known for her provocative pieces that mix photography with collage, Broadhurst has found a niche market and, as a result, her career is thriving.
Her artwork has exploded in popularity this year in particular, so we can only imagine what this genetically blessed babe will do in 2019.
Jamie Preisz
This year has been a career-defining year for the local art scene’s “Mr Nice Guy”, Jamie Preisz.
The 28-year-old artist took out the Packing Room Prize in the Archibald for his portrait of rock musician and “Renaissance man” Jimmy Barnes. Preisz has since collaborated with one of Sydney’s coolest brands — Ten Pieces — with Maurice Terzini and Lucy Hinckfuss.
Preisz, who also took home the GQ Breakthrough Artist of the Year award in November, said remaining humble, being nice and working hard are the secrets behind his success.
“I’ve always had a philosophy that I base my life on — there’s four pillars: have a little bit of talent, try to be in the right place at the right time, have a good work ethic and lastly, be a nice person and nice people will surround you.”
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