Attitude 101 2026: Here are the 10 influential figures who made our ‘The Future (Under 25)’ list

This year’s rising stars of Attitude 101, empowered by Bentley are showcasing the next generation of LGBTQ+ talent making waves.

The selection spans 10 sectors: Business; Fashion, Art & Design; Financial & Legal; Film, TV, and Music; Media & Broadcast; STEM; Sport; The Future (Under 25), supported by Clifford Chance; Third Sector & Community; and Travel, supported by Booking.com.

Below are the 10 young LGBTQ+ changemakers who are already reshaping their industries, who we’ve honoured on this year’s The Future (Under 25) supported by Clifford Chance list.

Category leader: Marissa Bode

Marissa Bode rose to international prominence with her breakthrough role as Nessarose in the film adaptation of Wicked, becoming the first wheelchair-using actor to play the character. A trained performer with a background in theatre, she has been widely praised for bringing depth and emotional complexity to the role, while also challenging long-standing assumptions about disability and casting in mainstream entertainment. Open about her experiences as a disabled actor, Bode has used her growing platform to advocate for greater access, representation, and authenticity across the industry. See here for Marissa Bode’s Attitude 101 feature interview.

Jacob Alon

Recently announced as winner of the 2026 BRITs Critics’ Choice Award – an accolade previously given to the likes of Adele, Florence + The Machine and Sam Fender – Jacob Alon is emerging as one of the UK’s next major songwriting voices. Following the release of debut album In Limerence in 2025, their work has resonated with queer audiences through themes of belonging, vulnerability and connection. Alon also picked up The Play Next Award at the 2025 ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards (Attitude’s sister title).

Frances Anderson

Best known for playing Lily Tucker-Pritchett, the adopted daughter of a gay couple on Modern Family, Frances Anderson grew up in the public eye as part of one of the most influential US sitcoms of its generation. As an adult, she has begun shaping a broader creative career, stepping into music with her debut EP Drown in 2025. Alongside her work, she has supported LGBTQ+ youth charities and anti-bullying causes. Since coming out as bisexual last year, Anderson has spoken about identity, growing up on screen and finding her own voice beyond childhood fame.

Sam Carling MP

The youngest MP in the House of Commons, Carling was elected Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire in 2024. From a working-class background in the North East of England, he has spoken about how cuts to education and public services shaped his route into politics. Since entering Parliament, he has focused on improving safeguarding for children and LGBTQ+ people in religious communities, and has worked to improve politicians’ understanding of science, given his biology background. He serves on the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Cai Cherry

At global firm DLA Piper, Cai Cherry works across public law and litigation alongside extensive pro bono and diversity and inclusion work. As a queer and disabled person, they have spoken publicly about navigating the legal profession with intersecting identities and leading DLA’s disability pro bono practice. Cherry holds undergraduate and postgraduate law degrees, is a dual-qualified English and New York lawyer, and in 2024 published their debut novel Speaker, a queer coming-of-age story, with 100 per cent of author royalties donated to support LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

Auli’l Cravalho

Garnering global fame in 2016 as the voice of Moana in the animated film of the same name, Auli’i Cravalho became one of the youngest performers to lead a major Disney release. Her work has since expanded across film, television and stage, including roles that centre young voices and contemporary storytelling. Openly bisexual, she has spoken publicly about identity, representation and the responsibility of visibility, particularly for LGBTQ+ and Indigenous audiences growing up without seeing themselves reflected on screen.

Zelah Glasson

A fitness coach from south London, Zelah Glasson came to wider attention as a housemate on Big Brother in 2025, where he spoke openly about his life as a trans man. His presence in the house brought trans identity into mainstream conversation, with moments that sparked wider discussion around language, respect and understanding. Since appearing on the programme, Glasson has continued to use his platform to talk about identity, representation and visibility for trans people, particularly within fitness and everyday life.

Elijah McKenzie-Jackson

Working across creative practice and social change, Elijah McKenzie-Jackson is a co-founder of Waic Up, a youth-led organisation using creativity, education and community action to address the climate crisis and social inequality. Active since his teens, his work spans visual art, writing and public speaking, often exploring identity, mental health and environmental justice. Through Waic Up, he has helped create spaces for young people to engage with climate action in accessible, creative ways. He is also the author of BLUE, a book exploring climate anxiety, identity and mental health through a personal lens.

Henry Moodie

First gaining attention through social media, Henry Moodie has built a large following through emotionally open pop songwriting that resonates with young audiences. His debut album Mood Swings, released in 2025, draws on experiences from his late teens and early twenties, exploring themes of anxiety, heartbreak and personal growth. Open about writing from lived experience, Moodie has spoken about vulnerability, mental health and navigating his first queer relationship, positioning honesty at the centre of his work as his career continues to grow.

Nxdia

Rising through online platforms, Nxdia is a British-Egyptian musician whose genre-blending sound moves between alternative pop, rock and electronic music. Born in Cairo and now based in the UK, their work draws on both English and Arabic influences. Openly non-binary and queer, Nxdia has spoken about identity and self-expression through music, building a growing audience through independently released tracks and a close connection with listeners. Their debut mixtape I Promise No One’s Watching (2025) has led to performances at festivals including Reading & Leeds, bringing their alt-pop voice to wider audiences.

---

The full Attitude 101 list appears in issue 369 of Attitude magazine, available to buy now in print, on the Attitude app, or through Apple News+.