With a new year comes new moments to anticipate. Events, tours, releases, and projects are already filling our calendars — especially when they involve the women whose work continues to capture our attention. From long-awaited music and powerful performances to bold career moves and new creative chapters, 2026 is shaping up to be a year worth watching. As we look ahead to everything the year has to offer, we’ve highlighted a few standout moments we’ve already marked in our ROARA calendar. These are the women on our radar as they step into what’s next.
Rachel Grae
It should come as no surprise that we love our queen of therapeutic pop. Not only has her music healed the hearts of fans around the world, but her kind and radiant personality has made more of an impact than she may ever realize. She’s starting the year strong with the release of my favorite song, Come a Day, arriving January 23. Even without being fully released, the anthem has already worked its magic. If you haven’t pre-saved it yet, consider this your sign. On top of that, Rachel is releasing her sophomore album this year, built around a concept I’ve truly never seen before. Each song is paired—younger Rachel versus older Rachel—capturing her growth and the different chapters of her life. Personally, I can only describe it as absolute genius, and I can’t wait to discover more. Make sure you follow our girl so you don’t miss a beat.
Emma Grede
In a recent article, we already touched on what a force she is in business and what a huge inspiration she continues to be. If you’re not familiar with her work, her impact, and her undeniable strength of character, you’re truly missing out on excellence. Her podcast has been a major success, offering advice and wisdom that can be genuinely life-changing—especially when you need it most. And now, with the release of her first book, Start With Yourself, on April 14, we’re getting even deeper insight into her brilliant mind. There’s no one I trust more when it comes to building a business and creating a respected name for yourself. She is self-made—and she reminds us that you can be too.
Madison Beer
She is starting 2026 with a bold new chapter, releasing her third studio album, locket, on January 16 — a deeply personal collection that highlights her growth as both a songwriter and performer. To support the album, she’s taking the locket tour, across Europe, the UK, and North America from May through July, giving fans the chance to experience her new songs live and see her evolution on stage. With both the album and tour, Madison continues to expand her artistry and connect with fans in new ways, making 2026 an important year in her journey.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo has had two big years bringing her powerhouse performance to Wicked, releasing her book Simply More and she’s continuing that momentum with an exciting new challenge. She’ll take on a one-woman West End production of Dracula, bringing more than 20 characters to life each night — a bold and ambitious role that highlights her range and talent. With this major stage project, Cynthia continues to prove why she’s a creative force to follow.
Whitney Levitt
You might know Whitney Leavitt from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or from her recent run on Dancing with the Stars, but she’s now stepping into exciting new projects that show just how versatile she has become. This year, she’ll take on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago, while also producing and starring in her first feature film, the holiday romantic comedy All For Love. Moving from reality and television into stage and film, Whitney is showing the kind of career growth that makes her a woman to watch this year.
As we watch these five women take bold steps in music, business, theatre, and film, they remind us that talent, determination, and courage come in many forms. From releasing albums and books to stepping into iconic roles and breaking new ground, they’re shaping their own paths and inspiring those who follow along. We can take a page from their books, letting their ambition and creativity motivate us to embrace new opportunities, chase our goals, and make this year one of growth, fearless ambition, and possibility.
ROARA Magazine 