Vanity Fair's Young Hollywood: Their Love For Obama, Sneakers And Why They're The Next Big Things

Vanity Fair features the new wave of Young Hollywood in the August issue, with a cover starring Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively, Emma Roberts, and Amanda Seyfried. James Wolcott reports on the up-and-comers and writes that when it comes to politics, there's only one candidate in this year's election.

Although a few are coy about their preference, Wolcott writes that "the majority of our respondents, unafraid of commitment, [are] in flying formation for Air Obama.... The candidacy of John McCain seems to have drawn complete blanks, goose eggs. It's true that McCain never had a real shot at the Hollywood youth vote, but it's as if he didn't even exist within their frequency range."

Aside from their political leanings, and on a lighter note, they share first Hollywood moments, inspirations, favorite movies, and choose sides in the fashion and music battles (Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin? Nike or Chuck Taylor? Rihanna or Carrie Underwood?)

The Jonas Brothers' Kevin Jonas, 20, calls The Outsiders his favorite movie, and when asked if he ever misses a "normal" childhood, tells Vanity Fair, "I never went to prom, but it's, like, whatever. Once you actually ask the girl, then it's all downhill from there. Or that's what I've heard." His brother Nick, 15, says Johnny Cash is on his iPod, and third brother Joe, 18, names Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees as an inspiration. "He's from a brother band, so is kind of a mentor to us."

Christopher Mintz-Plasse, 19, who played McLovin in Superbad, describes his first Hollywood moment thus: "Well, I'm a Jessica Alba fan, so the first time I met her kind of blew my mind because she was a huge fan of me. I was like, 'Really? You're like screaming because you see me?'" And Jonah Hill, when asked about his sneaker preference, says, "I'll give New Balance a shout-out. Hopefully they'll send me some free shit."

Photographed by Mark Seliger, the portfolio includes: Amanda Seyfried, Emma Roberts, Blake Lively, Kristen Stewart, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Zöe Kravitz, Emma Stone, Olivia Thirlby, Jessica Szohr, [Gossip Girl cast] Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Ed Westwick, Leighton Meester, Taylor Momsen, Jay Baruchel, Kat Dennings, the Jonas Brothers, Rob Brown, Michael Angarano, Summer Bishil, Hunter Parrish, Josh Peck, Rachael Taylor, Jonah Hill, and Amber Heard.

The August issue of Vanity Fair hits newsstands in New York and Los Angeles on July and nationally on July 8.

See the portfolio

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See behind-the-scenes video from the shoot

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Read James Wolcott's article

Comments

[longnow]

What party does Barack belong to?
Young up-and-coming star: Barack? Barack who?
You mean Obama, yeah, he's running for president.
I know, what party?
Star: Party? I'm always up for parties.

[grimm]

Behold the non-threatening white kids of 2008!

[writerforhire]

Amber Heard may have a chance.

This title usually spells demise for those who have been bestowed it by Vanity Fair. If you mean a five year plan then, yea, it's possible. Young and disposable income in Hollywood usually spells trouble.

[StanTheManic]

A BUNCH OF PEOPLE I NEVER HEARD OF, SUPPORTING A CANDIDATE WHO'S DONE NOTHING.

THIS REALLY IS BECOMING THE SEINFELD ELECTION.

[dadw5boys]

BUSH CAN'T RUN FOR A 3RD TERM.

HE HAS DONE NOTHING BUT LIE FOR 7 1/2 YEARS.

THAT IS NOTHING.

[mindlessmissy]

Yep... However They Better NOT be drunk or High on Election Eve and miss the whole shebang ....

POTUS Obama '08

[AlP]

Okay, this is getting REALLY scary. Everything turns into politics? I really feel like we're getting into Nazi Germany, where everyone is in lockstep with one person, and is asked and reported to support him. Vanity Fair is just getting too weird.

Shouldn't they be asked about their new movies, or new clothes, or any other stuff that's pretty useless? Everyone is asked about, Obama?

This country is really getting delusional, and it has nothing to do with Barack himself. It's the people.

[OS2Guy]

The stupidity of youth. That's Vanity Fair for you.

[4wehttam]

Who doesn't love Barack? And if you don't, you should.

[OS2Guy]

Again why? Because he is black? He has no political history to speak of. He brings nothing to the table but his "blackness" and yet you demand he should be loved?

Sad that we have to stoop so low just to put a black face in the White House.

[heather11483]

That is the most ignorant thing I've ever read. You think people are drawn to him simply because he's black? What country have you been living in all your life?

I need to stop reading these blogs. I lose brain cells when I read stuff like this, and waste my time responding to it.

[sarasotajeff]

please include something in your post indicating why you feel he SHOULDN'T get votes, OTHER than his "blackness"... that seems to be your only point. Yes, his skin is not white. But, actually, is he black? Seems like his skin is your ONLY problem with him.
(Your 'no political history' comment is, as you know, untrue - and repeating it will not make it true.)

Since you've stated you're voting republican, please also let us know what mccain has to offer and why you're voting for him, other than his whiteness - and a vote against someone you perceive as non-white

[CKieffer]

AOL is calling for you. They miss you on their political message board.

[samandally]

Don't love him, never going to.

[alnc]

Why is this important? Lets see.....how many will drug out, car crash .....et.....Lindsey Lohan, Brittney style. What a waste of space mag and article.

[BetterDays]

Wow, such a diverse group. There was one African American among the 30 identified as Young Hollywood. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same in Hollywood. Sad state of affairs for Hollywood and Vanity Fair.

After Barack becomes POTUS, possibly a few more African Americans will be allowed in the up and coming list.

[AlP]

Playing the race card, BetterDays? Where were the Asians, the Latinos, and everyone else?

[BetterDays]

Yes, where are the Asians, Latinos, and everyone else? My point exactly.

[GQTaste]

Well think about who buys VAntity Fair. It's upper middle class to wealthier white women mostly. And honestly I bet they tried to come up w/ some different minorities but simply couldn't find any. I guess they could have put the Asian dude from Heroes in there some where. But this magazine is one of the most upper crust mags out there.

Remember when John Stewart made the joke at the Oscars about Vanity Fair cancelled their party b/c of the writers strike? And he said well why don't you invite the writers to the party then? Meaning that only the top tier folk are invited. Mainly actors and agents and power players and executives.

[LiberalBuzz]

I've got several of the VF issues touting the next big wave of young stars and usually within a few years almost all of them are struggling to get commercials.

Granted not all of them, but hey what the heck it's their chance to shine even if it's only for a year or so. Hopefully they will at least get a house they can afford in the long run and save some bucks while looking for work. Because Nick at Nite and Disney will only keep them around for a few years before showing them the curb and THEN they find out what REAL acting is supposed to be about.

Then it's all down hill for them.

[kalapa]

Vanity Fair's slavish obsession with "youth" culture is embarrassing. Yes, this generation may have more information at a younger age, but information is not experience and certainly not wisdom.

And I can tell you why the young 'uns are supposedly more interested in politics/v­oting/Obam­a. Its because Obama has been sold as a brand, and the youth understand branding. In fact they're totally brainwashed by branding. And the people doing the branding - from fashion to ipods to politics - are corporate advertising. They're good at it. And young people like to think they're savvy to the tricks used to manipulate their behaviour, but look at their consumption patterns. Obama is another glossy package. He's already starting to reveal what's underneath that shiny surface.. just more of the same old sell out to get into power.

What does this teen generation of rabid consumers know about nitty gritty reality? Not a lot. They're concerned about staying "cool", getting the right pair of jeans; never mind the melting ice caps and worldwide food crisis.

[Mattie]

who are these people!

[Agentlady007]

The Mod Quad?

[BetterDays]

Closer to the White Squad!

[LizzyTish]

I have to say...as a young mom, I am a hardcore Jonas Brothers fan - beyond their marketing, they are some cool kids.

But the first time I had hope for the future of this country was about a year ago when I read their bass player (they and their band members are all devout evangelical Christians) expressing true liberal devotion to the Democratic candidates.

The Brothers themselves remain publicly, politically neutral for obvious reasons, but their social practices (who ever knows someone's true outlook) is totally inclusive in a casual way.

As a secular humanist, it makes me feel like the next wave of kids (esp that touchy evangelical demographic) might just be all right.

[OS2Guy]

Then you are as naive as they are. Today's kids are a mess.

[GQTaste]

The majority of them pictured are kids on a tv show. And over half of them won't be in the public light in three years. They'll be weeded out and fogotten about.

[Dantana]

Maybe that's why I've only vaguely heard of a couple of them, not much of a TV Viewer-especially when it comes to network ""reality"" shows. Glad I won't have to catch up since most will be a flash in the pan.