empty shell

A year ago, they were strangers. Now they're household names. EW rounded up the small galaxy of actors and musicians who exploded into the Hollywood universe this year.

Estelle
Her U.S. debut, 'Shine,' features collaborations with everyone from Mark Ronson to will.i.am. Her Kanye West duet, ''American Boy,'' has notched more than 1.4 million digital sales. And she recently held it down as the only woman on tour with Gym Class Heroes and the Roots. So how does the British soul siren, 28, look back at 2008? ''I'll remember it for never being in my house,'' she jokes. But that's not a complaint. ''It took me four friggin' years to get this s--- out. I can't be mad at anything right now.''

Russell Brand
Best known for playing the girlfriend-snatching rock god Aldous Snow in 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and for hosting this year's VMAs, the British comedian is a refreshing, rakish alternative to his shlubby American counterparts. Though he recently quit his BBC radio show after his lewd on-air prank calls provoked outrage, the 33-year-old is keeping busy filming the 'Marshall' spin-off, 'Get Him to the Greek.' ''I'm an egotistical man,'' says Brand, who plans to have a long and prosperous movie career. ''If I'm only in it for a short time, it's almost worse than not being in it at all.''

Demi Lovato
Talk about a sweet 16. After rocketing to fame this June as the costar of the Disney Channel movie 'Camp Rock' (opposite tween-dream troika the Jonas Brothers), the 16-year-old Dallas native released her debut album. 'Don't Forget' made an impressive No. 2 'Billboard' bow, proving her to be a genuine double threat. ''Music comes naturally,'' she admits. ''But acting is a mind challenge, and I have a huge passion for it.'' With a 'Camp Rock' sequel in development and both the original series 'Sonny With a Chance' and the film 'Princess Protection Program' due next year, it looks like 2009 could be even sweeter.