Each year, the Middle East’s creative talent rises faster than ever. From established stars to emerging voices, the region continues to redefine expectations and take its place on the global stage. Not because of the headlines or the noise, but because of the people, our people, who insist on shaping the world in their own image. Creatives who refuse to wait for permission. Voices who choose courage over comfort. Stories that insist on being heard.
At YUNG, we witness this evolution up close. We feel it. We chase it. And THE LIST is where it all comes together, a record, yes, but also a pulse. A celebration of the region’s most brilliant minds in culture, art, music, fashion, sport, and the spaces in between. A tribute to those who work quietly until suddenly they are impossible to ignore.
This year, the issue began with a shift of energy, unexpected, instinctive, almost cinematic. We were on set with Gstaad Guy, one of our cover stars, and from the moment he stepped in, the room changed. No forced poses, no performance, just someone fully at ease with who he is. Having him as “The Modern Entrepreneur of the Year” is a milestone for us. His first Middle Eastern cover, and a nod to the individuality and authenticity we’ve championed since day one.
Then came “The Voice of the Year,” Saja Kilani, an artist who doesn’t just rise, she shifts the atmosphere. I’ve followed her journey for years, but 2025 marked something different. Her debut in the Golden Globes nominee movie, “The Voice of Hind Rajab” didn’t just raise her profile as an actress; her role in a Golden Globes-nominated film cements her position as a powerful voice and a creative to watch.
Mounia Akl, our “Filmmaker of the Year,” brought another dimension to the issue. Her year has been transformative, House of Guinness on Netflix, global recognition, and a wave of stories told with her distinct emotional precision. There’s something unmistakably hers in every frame she touches: bold, vulnerable, and deeply human. 2025 didn’t just elevate her, it confirmed that her stories travel far, and land deeply.
And then there’s Carlita, “The DJ of the Year”, whose sound has taken her from our region to stages across the world. I’ve watched her evolution closely, and what stands out most isn’t the scale of her sets, but the communities she builds. Wherever she performs, she brings people together. Her discipline, her instinct, her ability to transform energy into sound, all of it makes her global rise feel inevitable.
Ahmed Malek, “The Actor of the Year,” brought power to the issue in a different way. On set, he moves with intention, focused, driven, endlessly curious. He’s not simply performing; he’s expanding. Each role, each risk, each shift in his craft feels like another step outward into the world. His presence is undeniable, his evolution unstoppable.
And Naïka, “The Breakthrough Artist of the Year”, arrives in this moment stronger, more defined, more in command of her voice than ever. Watching her step into her own light this year has been a reminder of what it means to boldly choose yourself.
Beyond the covers, THE LIST unfolds into 25 names across 25 categories, creatives from Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and across the region. People like Zeyne, Mona Kattan, Osama Chabbi, Kareem Samy, Youssef Khayat, and many more, each reshaping their field in ways that feel both immediate and lasting. These are the names you’ll want to remember. The ones you’ll hear again. The ones who turned the region’s momentum into their own.
Three years into YUNG, our mission has only grown sharper: to build, to uplift, to spotlight the identities and voices shaping the future. To celebrate the ones who rise with us, as we provide a platform to showcase their talent. To every talent featured, and to every person pushing culture forward, thank you. We see you. We honour you. We celebrate you. And we can’t wait to witness what comes next.
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