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Hey there, pop culture fans! Google just dropped its annual list of trending celebrities in the United States, and boy, has it been a wild ride through 2024! From binge-worthy streaming hits to viral podcast moments, these stars had us all glued to our screens and furiously typing into our search bars.

Google Raster logo (2015-present)

Some familiar faces reached new heights, while others burst onto the scene in spectacular fashion. Whether they were collecting awards, breaking the internet, or just living their best lives, these celebs definitely kept our Google search history interesting. Ready to dive into the top 10 most-searched stars who had Americans totally obsessed this year? Let’s get into it!

10Jodie Foster

Can we take a moment to appreciate howJodie Fosterabsolutely crushed it this year? The legend stepped into HBO’sTrue Detective: Night Countryand reminded everyone why she’s been at the top of her game for decades. Not only did she snag an Emmy for her performance (because of course she did), but she also got to join the ultimate Hollywood club by leaving her hand and footprints at the TCL Chinese Theater. How cool is that?

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Foster’s been in the game forever, but she’s still out here proving why she’s one of the best in the business.Her work inTrue Detectivehad everyone talking. Plus, let’s talk about those viral moments! That TikTok trend where people recreated her intenseNight Countrymonologue? Absolutely everywhere!

9Ella Purnell

Okay, let’s talk about howElla Purnellcompletely owned 2024 with her role in Prime Video’sFallout. If you weren’t already familiar with her work, you definitely are now! She took what could have been just another video game adaptation and turned it into must-watch TV.

What’s super impressive is how she managed to make her character feel totally real in a world that’s, well, anything but. The internet basicallycouldn’t stop talking about her performance, and for good reason. Word on the street is that Hollywood’s biggest players are already lining up to work with her. Trust us, this is just the beginning of Purnell’s reign!

Jodie Foster in a still from The Mauritanian (2021)

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And let’s not forgether stellar performance as JinxinArcane! The second season of the hit animated series had fans absolutely obsessed, with viewers flooding social media with praise for her voice acting. BetweenFalloutandArcane, Purnell proved she can command attention whether she’s on screen or behind the mic. That double-whammy of major roles definitely kept her name in everyone’s search bars!

8Adam Brody

Remember crushing on Seth Cohen inThe O.C.? Well,Adam Brodyjust proved he’s graduated from adorkable teen heartthrob to serious dramatic powerhouse with his role inNetflix’sNobody Wants This. It’s like watching your high school crush grow up to become even more awesome – and let’s be real, we’re all loving this journey for him.

The best part? He’s still got that signature Brody charm we all fell for back in the day, just with an extra helping of dramatic depth. His performance had everyone from critics to casual viewers hitting that “love” button, and there’s even some award season buzz floating around. Who doesn’t love a good glow-up story?

Jodie Foster Net Worth in 2024: How Did She Amass a $100 Million Fortune?

7Barry Keoghan

If anyone owned our screens (and our social media feeds) this year, it wasBarry Keoghan! Fresh offmaking everyone’s jaws drop inSaltburnlast year, this Irish powerhouse kept the momentum going with knockout performances inMasters of the AirandBird. But let’s be real – it wasn’t just his acting that had everyone clicking.

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His relationship withSabrina Carpenterkept social media in detective mode all year long, starting with his appearance in herPlease Please Pleasemusic video. What began as a fun collaboration and one of the year’s most-discussed celebrity relationships, took a dramatic turn whencheating rumors began circulating. It’s worth noting these were unconfirmed rumors, but they definitely had people searching his name!

6Hugh Jackman

The internet basically exploded whenHugh Jackmanannounced he was picking up the claws one more time forDeadpool and Wolverine. Our favorite Aussie proved he’s still got it, jumping back into his iconic role while making it feel fresh and exciting.

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And can we talk about how he handles his personal life like a total pro? Whenrumors started swirlingabout him and his former Broadway co-starSutton Foster, he kept it classy as always. Between his epicMarvelreturn and his always-entertaining social media presence (those workout videos though!), Jackman reminded us why he’s been a fan favorite for so long.

5Shane Gillis

Talk about a plot twist!Shane Gillisturned 2024 into his personal victory lap, and we love to see it. His stand-up comedy had everyone in stitches, and his seriesTiresbecame the show everyone couldn’t stop recommending to their friends. But the real mic-drop moment? Hosting SNL – yep, the same show that previously showed him the door.

His return to SNL was particularly noteworthy given the circumstances of hisoriginal firing back in 2019, when old clips surfaced showing him using offensive language by making racist and homophobic jokes. The incident, which led to his removal from the show’s cast before his season even began, sparked significant debate about comedy, accountability, and growth.

Ella Purnell in a still from Fallout

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Instead of dwelling on the past, Gillis came back and delivered a hosting gig that had everyone talking. His podcast appearances were pure gold, and his honest approach to discussing his journey struck a chord with fans.

4Jeremy Allen White

Is it even possible to scroll through social media without seeingJeremy Allen Whitethese days? After making us all suddenly very interested in the restaurant industry withThe Bear, he kept the hits coming this year. Between collecting awards and landing the role ofBruce Springsteenin the upcoming biopicDeliver Me From Nowhere(seriously, could this casting be any more perfect?), he’s been everywhere – and we’re not complaining!

His on-screen intensity and off-screen charm have basically turned him into the internet’s collective crush, andhis co-star romancewithMolly Gordonhad everyone invested. What’s super cool about White’s success is how he’s stayed totally genuine while becoming one of Hollywood’s hottest stars.

“She could turn into a serial killer”: Ella Purnell’s Fallout Season 2 Comment Hints the Show Will Finally Address the Worst S1 Lucy Criticism

3Glen Powell

Can we talk aboutGlen Powell‘s incredible year? After charming everyone’s socks off inAnyone But You, he went and proved he could handle any genre thrown his way. His turn inTwistersshowed he’s got action star chops to match that million-dollar smile. Powell’s basically become the human equivalent of a good time at the movies – you know you’re in for something fun when his name’s on the poster.

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Hissocial media gameis also chef’s kiss – the man knows how to keep us entertained both on and off screen. Whether he’s making us laugh, swoon, or grip our seats in terror, Powell’s proved he’s got that old-school movie star magic with a modern twist.

2Jacob Elordi

Listen, 2024 was basically the year ofJacob Elordi, and we’re not mad about it. This guy went from teen heartthrob to serious leading man faster than you can say “Hollywood’s next big thing.” Whennews dropped about him starringoppositeMargot Robbiein theSaltburndirectorEmerald Fennell‘s adaptation ofWuthering Heights, the internet collectively lost it – and for good reason!

And who can forget the frenzy when first looks ofGuillermo del Toro‘sFrankensteinwasreleased by Vanity Fair. The actor will be playing Frankenstein’s Monster afterAndrew Garfieldwalked awaydue to scheduling conflicts. He will be joining the stellar cast that includesOscar IssacandMia Goth.

For a guy that blessed in the “looks department”, his sheer talent is not the only reason behind his place on this list, obviously. Elordi’sfacial hair reveal at the Marrakech International Film Festivalover Thanksgiving weekend sparked some pretty intense debates on social media – it was like no one could decide if this new look was a total win or a complete plot twist for his usual clean-cut image. While some fans couldn’t get enough of his rugged new vibe, others were begging for the return of clean-shaven Jacob.

MY HUSBAND JACOB ELORDIpic.twitter.com/T3OYqNrUeV

Finally, living proof that all men do not look better with a beard thanks to Jacob Elordipic.twitter.com/mLzpw7861M

Whether it is his talent or his looks, the most impressive thing about Elordi is how he’s handled his rocket ship to stardom. He’s picking interesting roles, working with great directors, and somehow managing to keep some mystery about him in the age of social media oversharing.

1Katt Williams

Coming in hot at number one,Katt Williamstopped our list without starring in a single film, TV show, or comedy special in 2024! How did he do it? It all started just three days into the year when he sat down with Shannon Sharpe onClub Shay Shay, and holy smokes, did that interview set the tone for the entire year!

The moment Williams declared that all lies “will be exposed” and dubbed 2024 the “year of truth,” social media practically exploded. His three-hour conversation with Sharpe became the cultural moment that launched a thousand memes, sparked endless debates, and had everyone hitting that share button.

What’s super fascinating is how Williams got to the top of Google’s trending list with just that single interview in January which, honestly, had enough quotable moments and controversial claims to keep the internet fed for months. In an era where staying trending typically means constant content creation, Williams proved that sometimes all you need is one really good conversation to capture America’s attention.

And there you have it, folks! From comeback stories to breakthrough moments, 2024 served up some seriously entertaining celebrity content. Thistop 10 listis basically a highlight reel of what had Americans clicking, sharing, and talking all year long. Whether you were team Jacob or tracking Barry’s latest project, there was something for everyone in this year’s trending searches. As we wrap up 2024, one thing’s for sure – it’s been a wild ride in the best possible way!

Sweta Rath

Articles Published :269

Sweta Rath is an Author at FandomWire, specializing in long-form articles, explainers, and entertainment analysis covering movies, TV series, and celebrity profiles. A results-driven content strategist, she combines analytical precision with creative storytelling to deliver authoritative entertainment content.Her diverse skill set includes SEO optimization, digital marketing, and WordPress content management, enabling her to create high-performing content that bridges scholarly literary insight with accessible fan engagement across multiple digital platforms.

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Adam BrodyBarry KeoghanElla PurnellGlen PowellGoogleHugh JackmanJacob ElordiJeremy Allen WhiteJodie FosterKatt WilliamsShane Gillis