Rolling Stone AU/NZ unveils 50 living icons of music, screen & comedy in special collector’s edition released today

Monday, December 4, 2023 — Rolling Stone AU/NZ
publisher The Brag Media has revealed its next annual
collector’s edition, celebrating 50 of the most Iconic
stars from Australia and Aotearoa, for the magazine’s
December-February ‘Icons Issue’ which arrives on
newsstands and at Coles from today.

What makes a
celebrity an Icon? It’s not just talent; it’s a magnetic
charisma, enduring influence, and that unmistakable
Antipodean spirit that sets them apart. In an issue that is
sure to attract much debate, Rolling Stone AU/NZ celebrates
50 living Icons across screen (TV and film), music and
comedy, who have broken boundaries, shattered ceilings and
opened doors.

In the realm of music, Rolling Stone
AU/NZ delved deep into the anthems that have resonated with
Aussies and Kiwis for generations and considered artists who
have impacted the music scene from legendary Aussie singer
John Farnham, to rapper Iggy Azalea and Rosé (Blackpink),
an artist who represents the success of K-Pop’s cross over
into Western mainstream music.

Television and the
silver screen have had their own share of luminaries who’ve
left an indelible mark on our screens and in many cases
around the world, including internationally respected actor
and producer Margot Robbie, critically acclaimed actor
Deborah Mailman, newsreader, journalist and social media
Icon Lee Lin Chin and Hollywood-conquering filmmaker and
actor Taika Waititi.

No Icons Issue could be complete
without including the comedians who’ve had us in stitches,
from the controversial entertainer Chris Lilley, to loveable
larrikin Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes and NZ comedian, actor
and presenter Rose Matafeo, revealing a unique and
homebrewed brand of humour, reflective of our local
sensibilities.

These 50 living Icons are etched into
the cultural history books — here and abroad — and
continue to inspire the next generation of Icons.

The
Brag Media’s Editor-in-chief, Poppy Reid, said: “Rolling
Stone AU/NZ is renowned for its lists and we take the
responsibility of anointing the most worthy entertainment
careerists and cultural impact drivers very seriously. With
the weight of the industry we want to champion on our
shoulders, we find gravity in helping to export local talent
to the rest of the world. And so, as we gathered our team
and a selection of industry experts, we debated, examined,
pondered and shared tense moments as we went back and forth
questioning what makes an Icon, the kind of impact they have
on culture and if career longevity matters. We also added
consistent relevancy, innovation, accolades and global
influence to our ‘must-have’ criteria.

“Our very
first ‘Icons Issue’ is a celebration of broken
boundaries, shattered ceilings and opened doors, proving
brilliance knows no borders. Here’s to the power of
creativity, innovation and influence.”

The full
list, in alphabetical order, appears below:

Angus
Young – AC/DC co-founder, lead guitarist,
songwriter

Bic Runga – singer-songwriter &
multi-instrumentalist pop singer

Carl Barron –
comedian

Cate Blanchett – actor

Chris Hemsworth
– actor

Chris Lilley – Australian actor &
comedian

Dame Hinewehi Mohi – musician &
producer

Daniel Johns – musician &
singer/songwriter

Dave Hughes – comedian

Deborah
Mailman – actor

Elle Macpherson – model, actor,
presenter & entrepreneur

Eric Bana –
actor

Finn Brothers (Neil & Tim) –
musicians

Flea – musician & actor

Hamish
& Andy – comedy duo/presenters

Hannah Gadsby –
comedian

Hugh Jackman – actor

Iggy Azalea –
rapper

Jacki Weaver – actor

Jemaine Clement
& Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) – musicians
& comedians

Jessica Mauboy –
singer/songwriter

Jim Jefferies – comedian &
actor

Jimmy Barnes – singer

Joel Little – record
producer & musician

John Farnham –
singer

Julia Morris – comedian &
presenter

Keith Urban – singer &
guitarist

Kevin Parker – singer/songwriter, producer
& DJ

Kylie Minogue – singer

Lee Lin Chin –
news journalist & television presenter

Magda
Szubanski – comedy actor & writer

Margot Robbie –
actor & film producer

Naomi Watts –
actor

Nick Cave – musician & actor

Nicole
Kidman – actor & film producer

Paul Hogan –
actor

Paul Kelly – rock singer/songwriter

Rebel
Wilson – actor & comedian

Rhys Darby – actor &
comedian

Richard Wilkins – TV & radio
presenter

Rosé (Blackpink) – K-pop singer &
dancer

Rose Byrne – actor

Rose Matafeo –
comedian & actor

Russell Crowe – actor &
musician

Sam Neill – actor

Sia –
singer/songwriter

Taika Waititi – filmmaker &
actor

Temuera Morrison – actor

Tina Arena –
singer/songwriter

Toni Collette – actor

The
exclusive ‘Icons Issue’ collector’s edition hits
selected stores in Australia and NZ from December
4.

Rolling Stone Australia’s average issue
readership is up 14.5% to 229,000 for the 12 months to June
2023, according to the latest Roy Morgan Australian Magazine
Readership Report. This represents a fifth consecutive
quarter of double-digit growth for the local print edition
of Rolling Stone – now ahead of staple titles like Gourmet
Traveller, Vogue Living, Harper’s Bazaar, Who, and Money
Magazine.

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