Breakout Stars of 2009

Drake

In 2009, Drake worked with DJ Khaled, Young Money, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Young Jeezy, Mary J. Blige, Timbaland, Birdman, Trey Songz and Jamie Foxx. Plus, his song “Best I Ever Had” was constantly played on top 40 and R&B radio stations.

Taylor Lautner

Heartthrob Taylor Lautner is “New Moon’s” breakout star!Taylor surely didn’t disappoint his female fans when he appeared shirtless on the movie screen, girls in theaters across the nation squealed with delight!

Chris Pine

Pine skyrocketed to fame after starring as Captain Kirk in “Star Trek” over the summer.

Shenae Grimes

The actress had a great year in 2009! She got audiences hooked to “90210” as her character Annie.

Zach Galifianakis

Galifianakis had a breakout year in film! He starred in the summer blockbuster “The Hangover,” appeared in “Up in the Air” with George Clooney and lent his voice to the family flick “G-Force.”

Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe

Gabby’s fearless performance in “Precious” earned her numerous award nominations, including a Golden Globe nod for Best Actress and the Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga won “Best New Artist” at the MTV Video Music Awards and redefined just how far out “outlandish fashion” can be.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is country music’s hottest teen phenom! By 2009, Swift nabbed a Grammy nomination, won the CMA Horizon Award and became the youngest-ever winner of the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year award.

Bradley Cooper

Cooper became a household name when his comedy “The Hangover” ranked in over $270 million.

Adam Lambert

He didn’t win “American Idol” but that hasn’t stopped Lambert from climbing to the top. The glam rocker also took the prize for Breakout Star in Out magazine.

Jay Sean

The singer/songwriter/beatboxer collaborated withLil Wayne for the successful track “Down” and his single “Do You Remember” continues to climb the charts.

Paul Wesley

Wesley stars in “Vampire Diaries” and he helped prove that audiences can’t get enough of sexy vampires!

Charlyne Yi

Charlyne played Jodi in “Knocked Up” but is now onto so many new things. She co-wrote the flick “Paper Heart” where she embarks on a quest across America to learn about love.

Kings of Leon

The Nashville rockers earned their first Grammy for their song “Sex on Fire” and climbed the charts with the single “Use Somebody.” In 2009, Kings of Leon also headline numerous music festivals, including Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.