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8 to watch in 2008 |
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By Archie D'Cruz » Around this time of year, many magazines indulge in that annual ritual of naming someone (or something) that has made the greatest impact over the past 12 months. And so you have newsmakers picked by Time Magazine (Russian President Vladimir Putin), Time Canada (the loonie), Canadian Press (the RCMP), Macleans (Conrad Black), and countless others.
It’s always a very subjective exercise, of course, but an interesting one nevertheless, and one that is always fun to debate.
At Confidence Bound, we decided to jump on the bandwagon, but rather than wrap up 2007 with our own pick for Newsmaker of the Year, we’re launching 2008 with a look at eight young, fresh faces who we believe are destined for greater things.
Our picks come from different fields – politics, acting, sports, singing, modelling, design and business. They have all achieved varying degrees of fame, some through the very public spotlight of reality TV contests, others through awards or achievements, and at least one through a rather famous last name.
Yet, for all that recognition, none of the eight people to have made our list can genuinely claim to be anywhere near the pinnacle in their field.
Indeed most, if not all, are still taking the first steps that could lead them to the very top. Will they get there? We believe they will, and they certainly have age, talent and drive on their side.
Like all lists, ours – for all the research that has gone into compiling it – is as subjective as any. To see if you agree with our picks, read on. If you believe we’ve erred (or have gone completely out of our minds), be sure to drop us a line.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU, 36
Politics
 The story so far: Were it not for the fact that he is the son of the late former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, his resume would be interesting but hardly spectacular: a drama teacher, public speaker, host of the Giller Prize gala, and last year, a role in a CBC miniseries. All that is about to change with his recent entry into mainstream politics.
Coming up next: Last April, Justin won the federal Liberal Party nomination in the Montreal riding of Papineau. His first real political test comes when he faces the incumbent Bloc Quebecois MP Vivian Barbot in the next election, but already, there are signs of a new Trudeaumania, at least among Liberal supporters, with his political engagements drawing large, enthusiastic crowds.
REBECCA HARDY, 22
Model
 The story so far: Less than a year ago, she was working the graveyard shift at a meat factory in Mannheim, near Kitchener, Ontario. Her victory in Season 2 of the reality show Canada’s Next Top Model changed all that. Despite being criticized by judges early on for a seeming lack of confidence, Rebecca blossomed in the later stages, before going on to win the title.
Coming up next: Unlike her predecessor Andrea Muizelaar, who quit modelling after a row with the Top Model franchise, Rebecca can already be seen walking the hottest runways, and lining fashionable magazines. Her $100,000 deal with P&G Beauty, and a contract with Sutherland Models means you will see a lot more of this red-headed beauty.
EVA AVILA, 20
Model, Singer
 The story so far: The glare of the spotlight is nothing new for Eva, winner of the 2006 season of Canadian Idol. She has been singing in public since she was two. At age 9, she won a talent show on Ottawa’s CJOH-TV, and prior to Idol, she also won the Jeune Diva du Québec contest. Her debut post-Canadian Idol album, Somewhere Else, received mixed reviews but still sold more than 500,000 copies and earned her a Juno nomination for Best New Artist.
Coming up next: While Eva Avila shot to prominence as a singer, it is as a model that she is taking the bigger strides. No doubt inspired by her wholesome good looks, Ford Models offered her a contract, and last year it was announced she was to be the new face of Maybelline New York – the first Canadian to represent the brand. She is now prominently featured on the Maybelline website’s What’s New section, made the cover of Teenglow magazine, and you can expect her face to soon be as recognized across the border as it is in Canada.
JOHN TAVARES, 17
Hockey Player
 The story so far: Mississauga-born John Tavares appears destined for greatness. The youngster’s exceptional talent on the ice has been recognized for years, and his trophy cabinet is likely already groaning under the strain. Among his career highlights: helping Canada to its fourth straight gold in the 2008 World Junior Hockey tournament, becoming the youngest player to be drafted in the Ontario Hockey League, OHL Rookie of the Year award, breaking of Wayne Gretzky’s record for most goals in a season.
Coming up next: Not since the arrival of Sidney Crosby has there been so much anticipation of a player’s entry into the National Hockey League. Tavares is a lock to be the number one NHL draft pick in 2009, and hockey commentators are already salivating at the thought of two future greats raising the game to an all new level – much like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux did to define their generation.
BRENT HAYDEN, 24
Swimmer
 The story so far: The Canadian record holder in the 200-metre, 100-metre and 50-metre freestyle events, Hayden won two silver medals at the 2005 World Aquatic Championships in Montreal as a member of the Canadian 4x200-metre and 4x100-metre freestyle relays. At the 2007 World Aquatics Championships, he tied for gold with Italy’s Filippo Magnini in the men’s 100-metre freestyle race and set a Canadian record of 48.43 seconds. He was the first Canadian in 21 years to win a gold medal at the world championships.
Coming up next: Despite Hayden’s great success, his best may be yet to come, perhaps as early as the Olympics this summer. It was only recently discovered that he suffers from asthma – he used to think his “coughing attacks” were caused by chlorine in the pool water. The world swim authorities have cleared the way for Hayden to use inhalers, and with his lungs working to full capacity, Olympic gold is a distinct possibility.
TAMARA PODEMSKI, 30
Actress, dancer, singer
 The story so far: Podemski’s multi-disciplinary talents have brought her success in every field. She has been in numerous stage productions, most notably being part of the original Canadian cast of Rent. She has released three albums, the last of which won her Best Female Artist at the 2006 Aboriginal Music Awards. Her latest success came at the most recent Sundance Film Festival, where she became the first Canadian to receive a Special Jury Prize for Acting for her role in the film Four Sheets to the Wind.
Coming up next: Podemski is in line for more award hardware, having been nominated Best Supporting Actress at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards (the Oscars of Indie films) for Four Sheets to the Wind. Her face will soon become more familiar to TV viewers too: she is starring in the upcoming APTN series Rabbit Fall, and has a guest role in a new Fox series New Amsterdam. Podemski is also working on her much anticipated fourth album.
RAZOR SULEMAN, 33
Entrepreneur
 The story so far: Suleman set up his first business when he was 15, selling hockey cards. He launched his current company, I Love Rewards (and its revolutionary online loyalty program) from his university dorm room in Waterloo in 1996. In 2000, at the age of 26, he was named the youngest CEO on the list of Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Profit Magazine. Last year, he was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
Coming up next: Suleman recently launched I Love Rewards Express, which allows clients to build custom web based incentive programs in minutes. He plans to challenge the consumer rewards heavyweights in the U.S. market, and may consider taking the company public. Suleman says I Love Rewards is on track to achieve the end result detailed in his Five Year MasterPlan: having a $1 billion valuation and being recognized worldwide as the leader in incentive marketing.
EVAN BIDDELL, 23
Designer
 The story so far: A self-taught designer, Biddell began making clothes as an overweight 15-year-old who had trouble shopping at his local mall. From skater gear to bridal gowns, Biddell’s self-described “Street Couture” has been featured in boutiques in Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. He moved into the national spotlight by recently winning the reality TV show Project Runway Canada, his final collection being a striking group of clothes inspired by Saturday morning cartoons.
Coming up next: The outspoken Saskatchewanite has oodles of confidence to go with his undoubted talent. His $100,000 prize for winning the contest is being poured into the launch of his own fashion line, and he aims to create a collection in time for next fall’s Fashion Week. Biddell, whose prize included a retail mentorship with Winners, also hopes to design costumes for movies.
with files from Kevin Slater and Frederick Rocque |
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