Top 10 Most Influential Women of 2026

From the bright lights of sports arenas and concert stages to the halls of power, women have been at the forefront of cultural influence in the last 12 months. In a world where attention is constantly shifting from one phenomenon to the next, these women have managed to keep their accomplishments in the public spotlight while raising their stature and influence for the coming year. Funktasy’s Top 10 list of 2026’s most influential women celebrates those who stand out in the social fabric, dive headfirst into their passions and lead their industries. 

JuJu Watkins

Following her fiery freshman year, Judea “JuJu” Watkins continued to grow throughout her second season as a guard for the University of Southern California Women’s Basketball team. Watkins’ list of accolades within two years on the team spans pages upon pages, most notably setting the all-time national scoring record as a freshman, and winning the AP’s National Player of the Year. As a sophomore, Watkins made history by surpassing Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark for the most points scored during the first two seasons of their collegiate career. Fans will likely see this powerhouse on the bench for her third season following a severe ACL tear during an NCAA matchup against Mississippi State on Mar. 24, 2025. While she works through the healing process, her return date isn’t certain, but USC and basketball fans alike are all excited for Watkins to return.

Rama Duwaji

Through artfully crafted illustrations, ceramics and animations, Rama Duwaji has made a name for herself in both the artistic and political scenes. Her political drawings and works have made their way to the pages of notable publications such as The Washington Post, The New Yorker and BBC. Her style is illustrative and animated, giving life to the characters she creates. Most of her recent works have centered around Gaza and the experiences of Palestinians, aiming to show the raw realities of their lives through art. Duwaji is also the first lady of Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani, who was elected on Nov. 4, 2025. His campaign notably featured pristine graphic design choices as it pertained to his social media presence, posters and event design. Those design choices are attributed to Duwaji, who quietly steered the creative side of his campaign, playing a major role in his success. While Mamdani has gained new sense of fame since the election, Duwaji continues to stake her independent claim to fame as a prolific illustrator and activist. 

Sabrina Carpenter

As Sabrina Carpenter enters 2026 at the height of her career, her influence feels both earned and inevitable. What began with years of steady work in music and acting has culminated in a moment where her voice, image and point of view are shaping the broader pop landscape. Carpenter’s recent releases showcase a sharp lyrical wit paired with polished pop production, allowing her to carve out an identity that feels confident, playful and distinctly her own. Beyond the music, her presence has become a reference point for fashion, social media trends and conversations about femininity and self-expression in the modern pop era. With sold-out tours, critical recognition and a growing cultural footprint, Carpenter stands as a defining figure of this moment, reflecting how pop stardom continues to evolve in the digital age.

KATSEYE

With the talent of BLACKPINK, the work ethic of a K-pop powerhouse and the individuality of The Spice Girls, KATSEYE is here! This girl group is the first international pop group, featuring six girls with different global roots. Sophia Laforteza is from the Philippines, Yoonchae Jeung was born in South Korea, and Manon Bannerman is from Switzerland. While there are three girls from America, each has an extremely different background, with Lara Raj being Indian-American, Daniela Avanzini being Venezuelan-American and Megan Skiendiel being Chinese-American. They were founded by HYBE Entertainment, which is most notably the creator of BTS. Though they have yet to release their debut album, there are hints that stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Camila Cabello will be featured. Each of these young women is influential in their own right, with all six securing brand deals such as the iconic GAP ad featuring a KATSEYE dance break. The future is bright for this group! 

Chloe Malle

As the former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, steps down after a nearly four-decade run at the top, she announced her successor to be Chloe Malle. Malle is no stranger to the inner workings of Vogue, as she has made a name for herself not only as a fashion journalist but also as a co-host of The Run Through with Vogue podcast. Fashion tells a story about a person in their most important moment – the first impression. Malle hopes to propel Vogue into the future by enhancing this storytelling with a new focus on the digital world. Wintour shaped fashion and magazines by shifting away from models and towards the lives of celebrities. It seems she has chosen her replacement as well, as Malle brings the fashion world onto your devices and away from the printed magazine. Now that Malle has taken the reins, the world can only wait and wonder how she plans on filling Wintour’s shoes, and where she will take the magazine next.

JENNIE

Jennie Kim, or JENNIE, as the Korean singer/songwriter prefers, has grown into an incredible icon since her time with K-Pop group BLACKPINK. Though to many she may still be best known for work in the legendary girl group, JENNIE has recently made headlines all on her own with her recent appearance in the hit TV show The White Lotus and the release of her debut album Ruby. This new album, with songs like “zen,” is a step in a new direction for the singer, songwriter and actress as she shifts her sound from pop princess to rap goddess. Though many artists often fear their sophomore album, JENNIE has a bright future that is sure to continue influencing the music world.

Doechii

In 2025, Doechii, born Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, solidified her position as the vanguard of modern hip-hop, blending theatrical flair with raw, technical mastery. Known affectionately by her fanbase as the “Swamp Princess,” the Tampa-born artist made history at the 67th annual Grammy Awards by becoming only the third woman ever to win Best Rap Album for her critically acclaimed mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. Shifting from bedroom pop and TikTok-viral tracks in 2020 to her current experimental rap sound, her victory followed in the footsteps of legends Lauryn Hill and Cardi B, a milestone she tearfully celebrated by reminding the world that “anything is possible.” Beyond her chart dominance, Doechii has emerged as a formidable cultural disruptor. Named Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year, she has redefined the “It Girl” aesthetic, seamlessly oscillating between high-fashion “office siren” looks and avant-garde streetwear. Whether she is opening runway shows at Milan Fashion Week or using her platform at the 2025 BET Awards to advocate for social justice, addressing the ICE immigration raids in Los Angeles, Doechii’s influence lies in her radical authenticity and her refusal to be confined to a single genre or identity.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza is a renowned actress known for her work in films and TV shows such as Parks and Recreation and The White Lotus. She is recognized for her sarcastic, dry humour and witty nature. Following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena, Plaza removed herself from the public eye. Her recovery was done privately, but upon returning to public forums, she used her platform to share her own experiences with grief. On Amy Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang, the two actresses discussed the reality of loss and how it’s not an easy journey to heal. Plaza divulged that grief is “a daily struggle” and not something that subsides easily. By opening up about her struggles, she inspired others dealing with grief to stay strong. Her influence has shown that even those in the public eye must grapple with grief, and reminded us to extend empathy to anyone dealing with it. As she continues to navigate this new chapter, fans are sure to have her back every step of the way. 

Olandria Carthen

Olandria Carthen became an internet sensation after appearing on season seven of Peacock’s hit reality dating show Love Island USA. After finishing in second place alongside contestant Nicolas Vansteenberghe, Olandria quickly became America’s summer sweetheart. Since leaving the show and reentering the real world, Olandria has been busy with high-profile podcast appearances on shows like Baby, This is Keke Palmer and the New York Times’ Modern Love. She recently walked in New York Fashion Week as a model for Off-White’s Spring 2026 collection, and joined Vansteenberghe in modelling for swimsuit brand, Kulani Kinis. Olandria stole our hearts in the villa, and it seems she’ll keep them for a while. 

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg has been an influential activist for years. Initially gaining attention for outspokenness on climate change, she has recently been in the news for her activism surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Thunberg joined about 600 other activists sailing through the Mediterranean Sea toward the shores of Gaza to deliver aid supplies, sparking both controversy and praise around the world. Thunberg is firm in her beliefs in ways most could never begin to imagine.

Beyond 2026

All of these women are show-stopping inspirations in their own unique ways. It is no secret that each person on this list has made an impact in one way or another. Even with diverse backgrounds and careers, they are sure to bring new perspectives and innovations. It leads us all to wonder what these women may have in store for 2026. We at Funktasy appreciate their contributions and look forward to the influence they will have in the coming years.