At 26, Emmy Nominee Chase Infiniti Tops Time 100 World’s Most Influential Rising Stars

Published 09/30/2026, 9:25 AM CDT

via Imago

Hollywood has been busy making room for heavyweights like Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, but Chase Infiniti is proving that star power does not require decades. At just 26, Chase Infiniti has won hearts as Willa in One Battle After Another and commanded attention during awards season, especially with The Testaments, which earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Yet, the young star has done more than catch Hollywood’s attention; she has now topped TIME’s 100 most influential rising stars' list.

That latest achievement further proves the impact Chase Infiniti is making, bringing even more eyes to her already remarkable rise.

Chase Infiniti tops TIME’s 100 Next 2026

Chase Infiniti has officially entered a rather exclusive room. The 26-year-old actress has topped the TIME100 Next 2026, the annual list spotlighting 100 influential rising stars across entertainment, politics, sports and business. Her profile comes from Oscar-nominated actress Ruth Negga, who previously shared the screen with Infiniti in Presumed Innocent.

Negga’s words make the recognition even more personal, praising Infiniti’s intense “appetite for the work” and “sense of purpose.” The actress has also found herself in increasingly distinguished company, with Ashley Padilla, Yerin Ha, Arch Manning and other emerging names appearing alongside her on this year’s list. It is another indication of just how quickly her profile has expanded.

via Imago

With the TIME100 Next 2026 now adding another major milestone to that ascent, Infiniti is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook. Her BAFTA Rising Star Award shortlist and Variety Young Hollywood Impact Report appearance have further strengthened her growing industry presence. For a 26-year-old still early in her career, the spotlight is getting remarkably crowded.

Chase Infiniti Reveals She's Avoiding Instagram to Dodge 'Euphoria' Finale Spoilers

With Infiniti crediting K-pop for her breakthrough and adding another major achievement to her résumé, eyes are naturally on her, although one would argue they already were when Leonardo DiCaprio praised her.

Leonardo DiCaprio's praises for Chase Infiniti

Before the TIME100 Next 2026 spotlight arrived, Leonardo DiCaprio had already made his admiration for Chase Infiniti rather difficult to miss. The two shared the screen as Bob and Willa in One Battle After Another, where DiCaprio praised Infiniti’s ability to pair an innocent quality with sophistication while carrying the film’s emotional weight with remarkable ease.

via Imago

That praise only grew louder after the Oscar nominations, when One Battle After Another collected 13 nods but Infiniti missed out on an acting nomination. DiCaprio defended his co-star, calling her the fabric, heart and soul of the film, while also highlighting their effortless banter and chemistry from day one. It now makes TIME’s latest recognition feel like a particularly fitting full-circle moment.

Interview: Birva Pandya on How Chase Infiniti and the Ensemble in ‘The Testaments’ Shaped a New Gilead

Are you excited to see what is next for Chase Infiniti? Let us know in the comments!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Iffat Siddiqui

1455 articles

Iffat is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. A word wizard, she had the sorting hat smoke at the seams owing to her excellence in everything Hollywood and cinema until it finally declared that she belonged to the Royals, specifically Meghan Markle. Boasting over 300 articles (and counting), each one tastefully infused with the right mix of facts, wit, opinion, and essentially everything to make a perfect pop culture piece, she is the epitome of a trustworthy entertainment journalist.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

EDITORS' PICK