The YSBnow It List: Meet Our Top 17 Sheroes of 2017

These fierce females are shaking up Hollywood & inspiring us every step of the way

1. LILLY SINGH, 28

Hometown:

Toronto, Canada

Why We Love Her:

After amassing over 10 million subscribers on YouTube, Lilly’s become a makeup maven, movie actress, and soon-to-be published author. Her debut, HOW TO BE A BAWSE, hits shelves in March. Throughout her inspiring journey, Lilly’s always stayed true to herself. “So many people come up to me and they’re like ‘You should try wearing dresses,’” she says. “I’m like, ‘I think I’m just going to wear what makes me happy.’” But believe it or not, she hasn’t always been happy. In fact, Lilly first started making YouTube vids after battling a bout with depression. “There’s so many other people out there that experience the exact same thing and no one talks about it,” she says. “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s a part of life. A lot of people open up to me and say, ‘I was able to get help because of you.’ That’s all I can ever want. If you ever want to change anything about the world, you have to lead by example and that’s just what I did.”

Shero Shout-Out:

“Love who you are, embrace who you are. Love yourself. When you love yourself, people can kind of pick up on that: they can see confidence, they can see self-esteem, and naturally, people gravitate towards you.”

2. AMY SCHUMER, 35

Hometown:

New York, NY

Why We Love Her:

When Amy was just nine years old, her dad was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disabling disease that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. “That’s when I kind of took the lead and took care of everybody in my family,” she said. “I would keep everybody laughing.” And she’s never stopped: From sold-out comedy shows around the world, to writing and starring in her own TV and film projects (like 2017’s Snatched), Amy continues to crush it.

Shero Shout-Out:

“To anyone who has ever been bullied or felt bad about yourself, I am out there fighting for you, for us. And I want you to fight for yourself, too! We need to laugh at the haters and sympathize with them. They can scream as loud as they want. I am proud to lead by example – I say if I’m beautiful, I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story. I will.”

3. JAZZ JENNINGS, 16

Hometown:

Broward, Florida

Why We Love Her:

As one of the youngest publically documented transgendered people in history, Jazz has been fearless since she could talk. In October, Jazz celebrated her Sweet 16 and continues to inspire us every day. “I just want to be as open as I can,” she said. “It will show other people that being transgender is okay – it’s not something negative at all. It’s something that I embrace, that my family embraces, and we just live our life, we face the challenges, we conquer them and we move on.”

Shero Shout-Out:

“Beauty isn’t about looks, but rather the qualities that create the essence of your being. Be who you are, because that is your most beautiful self.”

4. ISKRA LAWRENCE, 26

Hometown:

Wolverhampton, UK

Why We Love Her:

As a teen, Iskra’s body was constantly criticized: People told her she was too big to be a regular model and too small to work in the “plus-size” world. But Iskra refused to let others’ opinions define her, and instead, created her own lane. Now, she’s one of the industry’s most in-demand models and an advocate for body positivity. “The battle of self-discovery was unavoidable for me,” she says. “But it’s why every day, I now wake up with purpose: to try and help educate young women and share my experiences, in hopes that they won’t have to go through what I did.”

Shero Shout-Out:

“I hope all women can realize they are more than the number on the jeans. Each one of them has a unique gift to give to the world, and when you love and believe in yourself, you are capable of anything.”

5. ISSA RAE, 31

Hometown:

Potomac, MD

Why We Love Her:

Growing up, Issa Rae could never really relate to the female characters of color she saw depicted on TV – so she did something about it. During college, she created her own series, Dorm Diaries, which led to her hit YouTube show, Awkward Black Girl. Five years later, Issa scored her own HBO series, Insecure, and just garnered a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Actress. “I thrive on obstacles,” she says. “If I’m told that it can’t be done, I push harder.”

Shero Shout-Out:

“What makes me feel most confident is whenever I put my work out there. That’s it. Writing and creating makes me feel the most confident, because I’m doing something; I’m creating something from scratch.”

6. ZENDAYA, 20

Hometown:

Oakland, CA

Why We Love Her:

With her own fashion line and a blockbuster movie on the way, Z’s seamlessly transitioned from child star to international icon. But what we love most about Zendaya is that she’s using her celeb platform to enact change. She’s spent her last three birthdays not throwing lavish parties for herself, but instead raising money for Convoy of Hope. And whether she’s calling out Photoshopped images or addressing racist remarks, Zendaya is never afraid to stand up for what’s right. “Those Twitter followers, those kids who watch you, that’s technically power,” she says. “To me, I have a responsibility or a duty to the people who watch me to promote positive things, or to show them positive things, or to enlighten them.”

Shero Shout-Out:

“Know that it’s okay to be in love with yourself. People might think it’s cocky, or arrogant, or selfish — no, that’s not what that means. Being in love with yourself is okay. You’re allowed to be in love with yourself. It’s okay to be like, ‘Dang, I look good,’ or ‘My hair is popping today,’ or ‘I love the way my legs look.’ It’s okay to love yourself! There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s who you’re supposed to love.”

7. KESHA, 29

Hometown:

Nashville, TN

We We Love Her:

At just 18, Kesha signed her first record deal, and after nearly a decade of suffering, she found the courage to open up about her personal struggles, particularly the abuse she endured at the hands of her producer. “If I’m lucky enough to have a voice someone will listen to, then I should use it for good,” she says. “Maybe it can help somebody else who’s going through something tough. I know it’s scary, but once you take the first steps to help yourself, your life will completely change in the best ways.” 

Shero Shout-Out:

“Every weird thing about you is beautiful. Don’t let people scare and shame you into changing the things about yourself that make you unique. Those are the qualities that will make your life magical and special. Never deny yourself that.:

8. SHAILENE WOODLEY, 25

Hometown:

Simi Valley, CA

Why We Love Her:

While countless celebrities used social media to raise awareness about the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock, Shailene flew to North Dakota to join the fight against it. And after being arrested during a peaceful protest, she penned a prolific piece for Time magazine. “It took me, a white non-native woman being arrested on Oct 10th in North Dakota, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, to bring this cause to many people’s attention,” she wrote. “Simply feeding off the hype of a celebrity’s arrest ain’t going to save the world. But, standing together will. Please stand in solidarity with the Sioux people of Standing Rock Reservation to ensure that we still have rivers to swim in, springs to drink from and lakes to float on.” On November 16, President Obama announced that construction for the pipeline would be halted.

Shero Shout-Out:

 “The truest form of bravery and courage is to wake up every single day and be ourselves. I think you need to have a deep understanding of who you are and love yourself deeply enough to be able to receive love and feel love from others in a deep way.”

9. YARA SHAHIDI, 16

Hometown:

Minneapolis, MN

Why We Love Her:

When she’s not filming her award-winning ABC series, black-ish, Yara devotes her time to education, activism, and shining a light on the importance of representation and diversity in Hollywood. “There are so many roles where you have to fight to even be seen,” she says. “You’re not doing me a favor by checking off some diversity box when you cast one person. It’s about honestly saying, ‘We’re going to look at everyone as equals and understand the inherent disadvantages that minorities have, because we didn’t all start on the same playing field.'”

Shero Shout-Out:

“I met a girl who told me, ‘I took this extra science class because of you,’ and that was one of the best compliments I had ever gotten in my entire existence. It’s up there with the girls who say, ‘I see myself represented in you.’”

10. ASHLEY GRAHAM, 28

Hometown:

Lincoln, Nebraska

Why We Love Her:

When she’s not strutting her stuff on the runway or shooting an iconic magazine cover, Ashley regularly visits schools to talk to young women about body image and self-love. She does this through her organization, ALDA, a collaborative of models whose goal is to use their resources in the fashion community to empower women and change the perception of beauty.

Shero Shout-Out:

“It’s about loving who you are. If you don’t love who you are, you are never going to feel 100 percent satisfied in life. It all starts with you. Every day, if you tell yourself ‘I love you’ – if you give yourself one word of validation, it will change your mind.”

11. SELENA GOMEZ, 24

Hometown:

Grand Prairie, TX

Why We Love Her:

It can be extremely difficult to open up about your struggles, especially when you’re an international superstar and a simple shopping trip becomes a news headline. But after a grueling tour, Selena bravely decided to step away from the spotlight. And at this year’s American Music Awards, she served up a speech that brought tears to our eyes and helped us all remember that it’s okay not to be okay. “I think it’s safe to say that most of you know a lot of my life, whether I like it or not,” she said. “And I had to stop, cause I had everything and I was absolutely broken inside. And I kept it all together enough to where I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down…if you are broken, you do not have to stay broken.”

Shero Shout-Out:

“Sometimes you’ll have moments where you’ll feel weak. They’re supposed to encourage you, they’re supposed to motivate you and push you. You can’t be afraid of what people are going to say, because you’re never going to make everyone happy.”

12. GINA RODRIGUEZ, 32

Hometown:

Chicago, IL

Why We Love Her:

Throughout her life, she’s has worked tirelessly to make a difference and empower others. In May, Gina cut her long hair and donated it to Locks of Love. She also launched her own charity, the We Will Foundation, which works to empower less advantaged youth through arts enrichment and scholarship opportunities. Gina capped off 2016 by spearheading the trailblazing awards show, Young Women’s Honors. “I’ve always wanted to do work to uplift women, to put women in the forefront of the media and to really glorify other aspects of our society that aren’t just fame driven,” she says. “There are a lot of wonderful things that a woman can do and is capable of that we don’t see that often in the media and pop culture.”

Shero Shout-Out:

“The only thing that can stop you is you. And how powerful is that? You are going to fail, but hopefully you have the opportunity to fail big. How great is it that I am given the chance to fail miserably? How awful would it be if I sat by, never touching the opportunity, never taking the chance? I want to eat life. I want to try.”

13. ARIEL WINTER, 18

Hometown:

Los Angeles, CA

Why We Love Her:

Her portrayal of the hilariously relatable Alex Dunphy is iconic, but with her activism and humanitarian work, Ariel has emerged as an icon IRL. Inspired to set an example for her two young nieces, Ariel most recently teamed up with Dove’s Self-Esteem project last month. “It’s important for me to promote body positivity to them because they go to school and kids use the word fat all the time,” she says. “I show them that I’m confident and feel good about myself and that’s the best way to teach them.”  

Shero Shout-Out:

“LOVE YOURSELF! Love yourself the way you deserved to be loved: unconditionally, respecting your needs, and for ALL that you are.”

14. ALYSON STONER, 23

Hometown:

Toledo, OH

Why We Love Her:

Alyson’s been slaying since her starmaking dance debut in Missy Elliot’s “Work It Video” 15 years ago. Since then, she’s appeared in counless television and film projects, but what’s most important to Alyson is giving back. She’s a goodwill ambassador for iPourLife, an organization which works to help overcome poverty on a local and global scale. In 2017, Alyson and her Girls Night In tourmate, Alisha Marie, will travel to Ethiopia to volunteer with 10 by 10, an economic empowerment program that helps women learn skills that will keep their families out of poverty. Click here to help!

Shero Shout-Out:

“Girl power means being freed from the label of girl and just being an empowered, living, beautiful soul who is capable of anything and everything outside the confines of stereotypes, pressures and ego.”

15. GABOUREY SIDIBE, 33

Hometown:

New York, NY

Why We Love Her:

American Horror Story: Coven may be over, but Gabby will forever be our Queen-ie. The only thing we love more than watching her on Empire is seeing her casually slay social media with her wit and humor. In 2016, Gabby directed her first film, The Tale of Four, became the face of Lane Bryant, and penned her memoir, This Is Just My Face: Try Not To Stare, available for pre-order on Amazon now. “If everyone had always laughed at my jokes, I wouldn’t have figured out how to be so funny,” she says. “If they hadn’t told me I was ugly, I never would have searched for my beauty. And if they hadn’t tried to break me down, I wouldn’t know that I’m unbreakable.”

Shero Shout-Out:

“The second you decide to feel great about yourself is when you feel great. It’s not the fame. It’s not money – it can’t come from some outside source. Really sit with yourself, no matter what cage you are in. You have to figure out what about yourself you love.”

16. LAUREN JAUREGUI, 20

Hometown:

Miami, FL

Why We Love Her:

Lauren Jauregui first became famous for her powerful singing voice, but over the past year, she’s emerged as the voice of a generation. And she’s using that voice to represent the LGBTQ community. “I am proud to be a woman,” she wrote in a powerful essay. “Proud that the sex between my thighs provides a strength and resilience in me that only other women can feel, that my body curves in ways that allow me to create life within me, that my entire life is filled with adversity and doubt and people questioning my intelligence and my artistic potential and my expression of myself and my virtue and honor because I am too much woman. I am proud that I get to prove them all wrong.” 

Shero Shout-Out:

“Beauty is not defined by the clothes you wear or the makeup on your face, but by the way you carry your struggles with smiles, hard work and love.”

17. BAILEE MADISON, 17

Hometown:

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Why We Love Her:

If you think you can name a 17-year-old with an acting resume as long and impressive as Bailee’s, try naming one who’s produced two feature films. When she’s not working on a movie or filming her hit show, The Good Witch, Bailee spends her time volunteering. She supports charitable foundations like Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Starlight Children’s Foundation, and the American Humane Assocation. “My mom always taught me it’s not about us, it’s about what we can give back,” she says.

Shero Shout-Out: 

 “Girl power means uplifting one another. There are so many chances in life to get to be that person and there are so many woman and girls who deserve that.”

WATCH MORE FROM BAILEE BELOW!