Madame Tussauds spills the wax on fame, unveiling their first-ever ‘Hot 100’ list

Hot 100

Madame Tussauds, well-known wax attraction with deep-rooted expertise in fame, unveils the inaugural Hot 100 – an annual index spotlighting a diverse array of rising superstars from across the globe.

In the midst of ‘Awards Season’ with everyone’s eyes on the hottest celebrities around the world, this is the first time ever that Madame Tussauds is pulling back the curtain to provide a glimpse into its research process by spotlighting a diverse set of influential people from multiple domains.

The 2024 list, dubbed the ‘Hot 100’ to mirror the prominence and stature of its selections, features a collection of the world’s most influential people, spanning talents from acting, music, fashion, sports, and culture, and celebrates their global impact and diverse achievements.

The inaugural Hot 100 isn't just about rising stars, though they shine brightly. Alongside established talents like Kim Petras, poised for a global tour later this year, and Hollywood heartthrob Pedro Pascal, set to star in the hotly anticipated Gladiator 2, stand figures like The Bear's breakout Ayo Edebiri, passionate conservationist Robert Irwin, and boundary-pushing performance artist Alok Vaid-Menon. These up-and-comers bring fresh perspectives and undeniable talent to the global stage, hinting at the exciting directions fame might take in the years to come.

While the Hot 100 is not a direct indicator of future Madame Tussauds models, it represents a who’s who of talents on the institution’s radar.

The global music industry shone particularly bright this year, with a whole chorus of superstars gearing up for world tours or highly anticipated albums. Australian pop-prince Troye Sivan is set to take his viral album on a summer tour, with dates across Europe already announced. Meanwhile, German rap powerhouse Shirin David's recent signing with Warner Chappell Music paves the way for highly anticipated new music. Notably, reggaeton icon Karol G, who dominated the charts last year with her album Mañana Será Bonito, is gearing up for a tour to support her chart-topping work. These luminaries represent just a glimpse of the industry's transformative forces poised to reshape the musical landscape in the coming year.

Laura Sheard, Global Brand Director for Madame Tussauds says, “We’re excited to finally announce the inaugural Hot 100, which showcases Madame Tussauds’ long-standing expertise in charting the course of global fame. We’ve crafted this index to capture a diverse and globally representative snapshot of rising stars, celebrating iconic people from all corners of the world. While the Hot 100 list doesn’t directly determine our future exhibits, its nature inevitably highlights individuals who may naturally find their way into future waxwork creations at Madame Tussauds. We’re thrilled about this annual unveiling and excited to see how it evolves, keeping our finger firmly on the pulse of international stardom.”

Compiled by Madame Tussauds’ global team by analysing a myriad of data points, from social media trends to significant career milestones, along with regional insights and instinct, the Hot 100 assesses each celebrity’s achievements, reputation, and digital footprint to spotlight the emerging icons of our era. The selection also reflects popular demand from fan bases, ensuring the list resonates with what the public is talking about right now.

The Hot 100 is intentionally capped at 100 individuals to balance inclusivity and the prestige of making the list, ensuring it represents a diverse yet concise snapshot of global fame.

Unlike other fame indexes, the Hot 100 blends Madame Tussauds’ historical expertise in recognising lasting fame with cutting-edge data analysis, making it a distinct and anticipative guide to the stars shaping tomorrow’s cultural landscape.

This approach sets the Hot 100 apart, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving dynamics of global influence and stardom.

About Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds has been inviting people to walk the red carpet and get closer to the revered – and feared – for over 250 years. With over 23 attractions in the world’s top destination cities, we are dedicated to giving millions of visitors the opportunity to mingle with the mighty from A-listers to music legends, heroes of sport, to infamous world leaders. Today, we continue to partner with the global icons of a generation to create astonishing lifelike figures from sittings and offer exciting and interactive experiences to ensure guests have never felt closer to fame.

 

About Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments is a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin operates 137 attractions, 22 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 24 countries and across 4 continents. Merlin’s purpose is to deliver memorable experiences to its millions of guests around the world, through its iconic brands and multiple attraction formats, and the commitment and passion of its employees. See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information and follow on Twitter @MerlinEntsNews