The Hollywood Reporter published its third annual “Creator A-List” on October 21, naming 25 influencers it considers most essential to the entertainment industry, framing the list around a broader shift: creators who were once “outside disrupters” are “now part of the industry itself.” The publication projects the Creator Economy will reach $310 billion in 2026, up 23% from 2025.
Unlike prior influencer power rankings, this year’s list narrows the criteria to creators directly intersecting with Hollywood’s business, casting decisions, scripted development, and press-tour marketing rather than follower counts alone.
Several entries illustrate creators moving into scripted development. Benito Skinner, star and creator of Prime Video’s “Overcompensating,” built the series with A24 and Amazon Studios after years of posting sketches to Instagram; a second season is in post-production, with Kyle MacLachlan and Connie Britton returning. Amelia Dimoldenberg is winding down her interview series “Chicken Shop Date” to star in and produce a romantic comedy at Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures. Dhar Mann Studios struck a deal to produce 20 episodes of Mann’s signature short-form format exclusively for Disney, part of what the piece describes as a broader Disney push into vertical video that includes a separate TikTok agreement. “Some of my biggest breakthroughs came when I stopped worrying about production quality and started focusing on the story,” Mann said. “Turns out, people connect with authenticity, not perfection.”
Reality TV and influencer crossovers also feature prominently. Alix Earle, who built her audience on TikTok “Get Ready With Me” videos before co-hosting a podcast for Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network, now stars in the Netflix reality series “Earle Meets World,” which the piece says reached the platform’s top 10 in its first week. Jordyn Woods, a longtime content creator, is cited for a viral moment tied to her courtside appearances during husband Karl-Anthony Towns’ run with the New York Knicks, with a bag she carried subsequently displayed at the Guggenheim Museum.
The list also points to creators building studio-facing infrastructure. Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry of Colin & Samir hosted a summit on the Fox lot and are developing projects with Lionsgate and A24. Julian Shapiro-Barnum, creator of Recess Therapy, launched a digital late-night show called Outside Tonight in partnership with YouTube. Reece Feldman, who began as a production assistant on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, was named the Academy’s Oscars ambassador for the upcoming ceremony and will host the official red carpet. Kareem Rahma’s Subway Takes earned an Emmy nomination this year for outstanding short-form comedy, drama or variety series.
The piece frames these entries as evidence that creators are no longer solely marketing assets for studio press tours but are increasingly cast in scripted roles, producing their own development slates, and signing exclusive content deals directly with major entertainment companies.
Dragomir is a Serbian freelance blog writer and translator. He is passionate about covering insightful stories and exploring topics such as influencer marketing, the creator economy, technology, business, and cyber fraud.
The Hollywood Reporter published its third annual “Creator A-List” on October 21, naming 25 influencers it considers most essential to the entertainment industry, framing the list around a broader shift: creators who were once “outside disrupters” are “now part of the industry itself.” The publication projects the Creator Economy will reach $310 billion in 2026, up 23% from 2025.
Unlike prior influencer power rankings, this year’s list narrows the criteria to creators directly intersecting with Hollywood’s business, casting decisions, scripted development, and press-tour marketing rather than follower counts alone.
Several entries illustrate creators moving into scripted development. Benito Skinner, star and creator of Prime Video’s “Overcompensating,” built the series with A24 and Amazon Studios after years of posting sketches to Instagram; a second season is in post-production, with Kyle MacLachlan and Connie Britton returning. Amelia Dimoldenberg is winding down her interview series “Chicken Shop Date” to star in and produce a romantic comedy at Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures. Dhar Mann Studios struck a deal to produce 20 episodes of Mann’s signature short-form format exclusively for Disney, part of what the piece describes as a broader Disney push into vertical video that includes a separate TikTok agreement. “Some of my biggest breakthroughs came when I stopped worrying about production quality and started focusing on the story,” Mann said. “Turns out, people connect with authenticity, not perfection.”
Reality TV and influencer crossovers also feature prominently. Alix Earle, who built her audience on TikTok “Get Ready With Me” videos before co-hosting a podcast for Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network, now stars in the Netflix reality series “Earle Meets World,” which the piece says reached the platform’s top 10 in its first week. Jordyn Woods, a longtime content creator, is cited for a viral moment tied to her courtside appearances during husband Karl-Anthony Towns’ run with the New York Knicks, with a bag she carried subsequently displayed at the Guggenheim Museum.
The list also points to creators building studio-facing infrastructure. Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry of Colin & Samir hosted a summit on the Fox lot and are developing projects with Lionsgate and A24. Julian Shapiro-Barnum, creator of Recess Therapy, launched a digital late-night show called Outside Tonight in partnership with YouTube. Reece Feldman, who began as a production assistant on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, was named the Academy’s Oscars ambassador for the upcoming ceremony and will host the official red carpet. Kareem Rahma’s Subway Takes earned an Emmy nomination this year for outstanding short-form comedy, drama or variety series.
The piece frames these entries as evidence that creators are no longer solely marketing assets for studio press tours but are increasingly cast in scripted roles, producing their own development slates, and signing exclusive content deals directly with major entertainment companies.
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