High above Los Angeles on Thursday, diversity toasted young talents from show business and music as part of its annual Power of Young Hollywood cover series. The stars of the class of 2024 included hitmaker Sabrina Carpenter, “SNL” success Marcello Hernández and “Stranger Things” supernova Sadie Sink.
The rooftop of the Santa Monica Proper hotel was transformed into a bubblegum confection of pink suede lounge areas where champagne (for adults only, of course) and Asian appetizers were served. Digital creatives, TikTok stars, influential agents and more chatted with one another while a DJ played Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar.
Filmmaker Megan Park, a former actress and star of “The Sex Life of the American Teenager,” accepted the Amazon MGM Studios Breakthrough Award alongside her leading lady Maisy Stella. The pair scored a Sundance hit with the comedy “My Old Ass,” about a young girl who collides with an older version of herself.
Park said the award was “my breakthrough in a different way, now that I’m working as a writer and director. It’s really nice to see more roles, more interesting opportunities and just a really open-minded, vocal young generation.”
Hernandez, known for jokes and skits about his childhood in a Latino household, brought his mother along to accompany him. “When I first started doing comedy, she always said, ‘If you ever do a red carpet, I have to be the first one there.’ I’m happy that she was able to be here and take pictures and wear the outfit she wanted to wear. It’s fun for us.”
The evening began with diversity Co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh ratcheted up the tension by asking, “Is everyone having a brat summer?” He was referring to the Charli XCX phenomenon raging in memes and Spotify playlists around the world. Setoodeh then handed over the moderation to comedian Matt Friend.
Elsewhere at the fest, beauty YouTuber James Charles mingled with Addison Rae, “A Family Affair” star Joey King, Chandler Kinney, “Drag Race” actress Kerri Colby and “The White Lotus” star Lukas Gage. A shiny photo booth sponsored by CashApp provided pouts and poses from actor Gavin Leatherwood, singer 4Batz, YouTuber Harry Jowsey and “Theater Camp” star Owen Thiele. Old Hollywood was represented by a cameo from Toby Maguire, who kept it low-key in a black baseball cap and was spotted chatting with attendees near the DJ booth.
“Believe in yourself,” singer Carpenter told the crowd in a brief acceptance speech before walking out with a tray full of “Me Espresso” martinis, named after her hit.
