21 Young Girls

21 Young Girls
Artwork: Jessica Holmes @ampmdesigns
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Bryan Whitely
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Leslie Alejandro
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
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Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Megan Landmeier
Zendaya Remains Queen of the Blowout at the US Open
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Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Nikko Lamere
Zendaya Remains Queen of the Blowout at the US Open
Jenna Ortega Changed the Way She Walked to Prepare for Wednesday
Noah Schnapp’s College Dorm Is Already a “Mess”
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Zendaya Remains Queen of the Blowout at the US Open
Jenna Ortega Changed the Way She Walked to Prepare for Wednesday
Noah Schnapp’s College Dorm Is Already a “Mess”
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Martina Tolot
Zendaya Remains Queen of the Blowout at the US Open
Jenna Ortega Changed the Way She Walked to Prepare for Wednesday
Noah Schnapp’s College Dorm Is Already a “Mess”
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Heather Hazzan
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Provided by Subject
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Andy Santiago
Zendaya Remains Queen of the Blowout at the US Open
Jenna Ortega Changed the Way She Walked to Prepare for Wednesday
Noah Schnapp’s College Dorm Is Already a “Mess”
Artwork: Jessica Holmes, Photo: Alana Hillman
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The young person’s guide to conquering (and saving) the world. Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment.
Young people have always stood at the forefront of major change—and 2018 was no exception. From gun control to climate change to tech and science to sports to fashion to beauty, young women, girls, and femmes are leading the charge in innovative, exciting, and ambitious ways.
In the face of what can often feel like hopeless times, these changemakers have been a beacon of light, a moment of hope, and a path forward. Regardless of the fanfare, or celebrity it earns them, they continue to do the work to change the world around them, to reach their goals and live their dreams.
We are proud to present to you this year’s Teen Vogue 21 Under 21, a tremendous selection of activists, artists, and revolutionaries who are making waves in their industry or passion of choice. Eighteen-year-old Edna Chavez powerfully spoke on the steps of the capital about the ways gun violence has torn apart her family and her community. Fifteen-year-old Elsie Fisher starred in the riveting Eighth Grade , a visceral portrayal of the inner life of young women (something that is rarely depicted on the big screen), 19 year-old Amika George who has been a leader in “period poverty”, and 18-year-old Deja Foxx a pioneer on youth and sex ed. There is also actress Josie Totah, 17, who bravely came forward as trans and history-making 18-year-old speed skater Maame Biney.
This year’s honorees were chosen through internal nominations as well as from Teen Vogue friends such as Emma Watson and Rowan Blanchard. This list is diverse and it reflects today’s girls. And while the decision for who made the cut was difficult, one theme emerged from the hundreds of young women we looked at:
Girls are watching, yes, but they will not wait for permission to change the world. They’re already doing it.
“Know your worth. You are so special and beautiful, and no one can take that away from you."
“Growing up in a more digital age, we’ve realized… that as a teenager you can elicit political change and have an impact on the world.”
“It’s so important for everyone to see someone on screen that looks like them, no matter what they look like, who they are, or what their race is."
"I think to say that all teenage writing is gonna be bad is messed up because if you're 30 and you've never written a book before, it's gonna suck too."
“You have to be authentic with who you are, whenever you enter a space, because you never know who else will be there to listen to you."
“My community is a reflection of me, and I'm a reflection of my community. People don't really understand and appreciate the beauty of [South Los Angeles] and the potential that it and the people that live in it have.”
“I don’t need other people’s validation as much as I need my own.” And something else Kayla taught her? “Even if you’re a quiet person, it doesn’t mean you can’t speak up.”
“Girls really need to see themselves in books and know that their future is unlimited. I think that girls can conquer their big, giant dreams and they won't be ever silent.”
“Never apologize for your existence, never apologize for your power or the work you do.”
“If you have a passion, look for other people in your community that do too. Although it may not always be easy, all it takes is courage and teamwork to turn a small act into a big difference.”
"I want to tell everyone that no matter what they’re going through, or what’s keeping them from being their authentic self that to hold onto the hope that there will be an end to that road. There will be a life where they can live as themselves in their true life.”
“It doesn't matter what other people think about you. It's what you think about yourself and you should always believe in yourself.”
“I just have a lot of faith in marginalized people,” Lily explains, saying people from these communities have power when they “understand our oppression and how that collides in an intersectional sense that less marginalized people won't understand.”
"[Film is] a kind of magic that can make everything become possible. It doesn't have limitations on your imagination," she says. "I really want to become a person who can make those dreams come true."
“Especially for women athletes, and any woman that wants to be successful: you’re so much stronger than you know.”
"I made up the Life with MaK to mean 'Life with meaning, acceptance, and kindness,'" Makenna tells Teen Vogue. "That’s the message I want to spread with all my social media platforms and teach people that ASMR is something to turn to [rather] than drugs or alcohol to relax and de-stress."
“I don't want to be known as just an actress: I want to be known as an entertainer and entrepreneur... I just want to keep making my family proud.”
“Not only am I fighting for other Black girls, I'm fighting for myself as a Black girl,” she says. “If you don't fight for yourself, nobody else is gonna fight for you.”
"I can’t turn my back on future generations that are coming behind me out of the hood."
"People advise me saying ‘you need tall models on the runway’ ‘they need to be skinny’ it looks more professional or that's what the big designers do but if it takes me a little longer to reach my full potential because I won't conform to that I'm okay with it!”
“Young people need to take the power back into their own hands, because if we aren’t voting, there’s definitely a 55-year-old person who’s voting and making decisions on behalf of us.”
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The young person’s guide to conquering (and saving) the world. Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment.
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The young person’s guide to conquering (and saving) the world. Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment.
Changing the world isn't easy in the best of times, never mind in the second year of a global pandemic. Still, young people have gone against the odds, making positive change and spreading joy while they do it. In Teen Vogue 's annual 21 Under 21 list, we're honoring some of the outstanding young people who are shaping the future — whether it's by influencing policy, breaking barriers, or simply daring to imagine a bolder future for themselves and those around them.
From the Afghan Girls Robotics Team fleeing Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to continue innovating, to Semhar Solomon 's Black Lives Matter activism through art, to Taylor Cassidy's TikTok education, it's clear that young people aren't accepting the status quo. Instead, when they see a problem, they fix it. Inequality? They address it. Systemic failure? Well, they change the system.
And, in a time when the world around us can seem overwhelming and negative, some of these young people's spark lies in their sheer ability to create joy: Lizzy Howell is dancing her way to success, Jordan Reeves is making disability representation sparkle, and Zaila Avant-garde is spelling toward a more inclusive future.
So, adults take note: If it seems like cynically accepting the norm is your only option, Teen Vogue's 21 Under 21 have a lesson we could all stand to learn — that change isn't just possible, it's within reach.
When 15-year-old Zaila Avant-garde won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in July, the ancestors were behind her. As the second Black contestant to win the competition, after Jody-Anne Maxwell in 1998, Zaila joined a long legacy of brilliant young minds who, despite exclusionary obstacles, shined. "I’ve always been really into words, their meanings, and their stories," Zaila tells Teen Vogue . "I began spelling when I was 12 years old. That year I won my New Orleans regional spelling bee."
The National Spelling Bee began in 1925 during the Jim Crow era. For a long time, systematic barriers prevented African Americans from succeeding in the prestigious cash-prize competition. Zaila, who did a joyous twirl upon acing her final word "murraya," exemplified the importance of investing in and protecting Black youth. Videos of her smiling on stage while piles of confetti rained down on her went viral. But despite all the attention, Zaila remains focused on doing her best.
"Confidence is everything for me, so I knew that the best way to guarantee that I’d be ready to perform under the bright lights of the national stage would be for me to know that I’d given my absolute best effort towards the goal of winning," Zaila shares. Adding, "Whether your goal is to be a doctor, an activist, or maybe even to be a professional cave diver — whatever it is, if you do your best and represent yourself well, you will be making a difference. YOU CAN DO IT!"
Taylor Cassidy has been telling stories since she was a young girl. Viewing social media as an accessible avenue for her to express her creativity, Taylor began posting her own videos to YouTube while in middle school. In 2019, she decided to join TikTok.
“[On TikTok] I was set on using my platform to create good energy for people the way past creators had done for me,” Taylor tells Teen Vogue . This meant creating empowering content with more organized execution. “...From that value came two series I'm still proud of to this day: ‘Fast Black History’ where I share the stories of African-American figures, and ‘Black Girl Magic Minute’ where I uplift Black creatives who are shaking up our culture.”
Taylor currently has over 2 million followers on TikTok and was recognized as one of TikTok’s 2020 Top 10 Voices of Change. At only 18 years old, Taylor is just getting started. So where does she see herself in 10 years?
“By then, I see myself working in film and TV focused on sharing POC stories that break type-casting and stereotypical boundaries [and] having a scholarship for young creatives to achieve their original ideas.”
After seeing her peers struggle to land internships and jobs during the pandemic, Akshaya Dinesh developed Ladder, an online platform where college students and alumni can create communities to help each other.
Akshaya got her start in the tech world after teaching herself Java on YouTube in 8th grade. She didn’t discover her true passion for coding until she attended her first hackathon. Growing up in New Jersey, Akshaya had little access to Silicon Valley or the tech industry, so she resorted to networking online.
While at Stanford, she realized that creating more accessible online communities would help empower other young people to grow their careers. At 19, she dropped out of college to start Ladder. Her secret to success? As a member of Gen Z, she can serve her peers better than her competitors. It’s obviously working — since the site launched in April 2020, 35,000 college students have used Ladder for help with job searches, resumes, internships, and scholarship applications.
Now Akshaya is focusing on launching her second company, Spellbound—a product she believes will change how people communicate online in the future.
Her advice for young people is to “lean into your specific skills and expertise and use it to your advantage — you'd be surprised how far that can take you!”
Aarna Dixit is an anti-sexual violence activist. While she was raised with the values to empower those around her, she can pinpoint the exact moment her passion for anti-sexual violence advocacy started: She read Beartown by Fredrik Backman in the 8th grade and, reading about the horrors of sexual violence, she took it upon herself to make a change. It snowballed from there.
From starting a sexual violence advocacy club during her sophomore year of high school, to joining Planned Parenthood's Teen Council, to most recently starting a queer-led sex education podcast called Dirty Talk, the 18-year-old has been committed to spreading awareness about sexual violence, consent, and healthy sexuality.
Despite her passion, Aarna’s journey hasn’t been without roadblocks. “My biggest challenge has been my perfectionism, and my need to do everything and be the best at it,” she says. “It's good to set high standards for yourself, but sometimes that leads to not loving yourself when you don't meet those standards, or not thinking you're worthy.”
But she also has the best advice: “Please don't doubt yourself or stop yourself from taking initiative. Do it. Even if it doesn't work out the exact way you wanted it to, it will teach you so much.”
In a moment of tragedy, Darnella Frazier had real courage. When she witnessed Derek Chauvin, at the time a police officer, murder George Floyd , Darnella had the presence of mind to pull out her cell phone and record the crime in front of her — a move that quite literally changed the world. Floyd's murder, shown to the public by Darnella's video, prompted the 2020 uprisings for Black Lives, bringing racial justice into the global consciousness in a way it wasn't before. But witnessing a crime, never mind one that's part of a system of violence and oppression against Black people, is traumatic. Darnella says that she struggled with using her voice. “It took a lot of courage and positivity and support from my community and even complete strangers,” Darnella says of speaking out. “Without the support and love, I wouldn’t of came as far as I have. I started to control my own narrative.” Darnella has been bestowed with many awards since she filmed that video, including an honorary Pulitzer . Looking back, Darnella says it's that community support she couldn't do without. “You are what you surround yourself with,” she says. “Surround yourself with things you can learn from and grow with ... [and] Most importantly, be your authentic true self."\
In 10 years, Darnella envisions happiness for herself. "I see myself happy. I see myself being able to be financially free to support my family. I see me being at peace."
Hailing from England, Ellie Goldstein always knew she wanted to leave her mark on this world — she just hadn’t anticipated how big it would be. At 15, she joined Zebedee Management, an inclusive model agency. A couple of years later, she partook in "Unconventional Beauty,” a scouting partnership between Gucci Beauty and Vogue Italia. Her headshot quickly went viral and she became the first model with Down syndrome to work with the brand .
Since then, Ellie has landed covers and ad campaigns for international brands — all while pursuing a degree at New City College in Redbridge. “Since I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a model,” Ellie tells Teen Vogue . “I loved the camera and being the center of attention and loved fashion and makeup. [When] my mom found out about Zebedee, I was desperate to join them — being a model agency that wanted to get people like me and others with disabilities noticed and into the fashion world.”
Even after she had found her safe space, Ellie still had to deal with naysayers. “My biggest challenge has been showing that, having Down syndrome, I can achieve things in
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21 Young Girls

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