RAYE, sombr and Troye Sivan make 2026 TIME100 Next list
TIME has named RAYE, sombr, Troye Sivan, PinkPantheress, Megan Moroney, Conan Gray and Alex Warren to its 2026 TIME100 Next list, published on Sept. 30.
The list recognises 100 emerging leaders across entertainment, sport, business, science, politics and other fields, according to TIME. It is not ranked. Billboard reported the music inclusions on Sept. 30.
RAYE takes one of the three worldwide covers for the issue. The other two cover subjects are comedian Druski and Saturday Night Live cast member Ashley Padilla, TIME confirmed. TIME
RAYE is also set to perform at the TIME100 Next event in New York on Oct. 29. The event brings together list members for an evening tied to the issue.
Each entry on the list is paired with a short tribute written by an established figure. Olivia Rodrigo wrote the tribute for Conan Gray. Kylie Minogue wrote for Troye Sivan. Fashion designer Stella McCartney wrote for sombr.
The music group spans pop, country and dance-leaning releases. All seven acts were included for their recent rise rather than lifetime sales, in keeping with the Next list's focus on early-career influence.
Beyond music, the 2026 list reaches into stage and screen. Actors Sarah Pidgeon, Isa Briones and Joshua Henry were named, along with writer Katie Dippold, according to the TIME collection and theatre coverage. BroadwayWorld
Their tributes came from inside the industry. Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote for Pidgeon. Katherine LaNasa wrote for Briones. Matthew Rhys wrote for Dippold.
Sport is represented as well. Tennis player Alexandra Eala was named to the list. TIME
What makes this stand out for music fans is the spread. A British singer-songwriter, two Australian pop acts, an American country singer and a new wave of US pop and dance voices appear side by side, with no ordering between them.
