Comebacks and Climbs: 8 Culture Stocks I’m Buying Into
One of my favorite things to do as an internal thought, is pick who will be the next big things. You could see it coming with both Tate Mcrae, Sabrina Carpenter and in the acting game with Jenna ortega. However, I did not have any of that in wrting. Therefore their needs to be a piece on the artists, trends, and names I believe will matter in the next few years. Some are on the way up, and some are on the way back up, but either way, I’ve got four in each category that if any of these were at the New York Stock exchange, I would be throwing my entire 401k on.
The Climb
Zara Larsson
Zara Larsson has everything. She’s at that same point Sabrina Carpenter was right before she blew up: the look, the marketability, the social presence, and the nostalgia of fans who already know her from earlier hits. Sabrina had her moment opening for Taylor Swift, and Zara just had hers opening for Tate McRae. She’s young, fresh, and in wrestling terms, feels like “the next big thing.” Her latest track Midnight Sun has that Frutiger Aero vibe that is a perfect aesthic and after the release of this album, I think she will be getting a tour of her own and will be the it-girl of 2026.
ASMR Creators
It drives me nuts, the bad wrap that ASMR has. I don’t think people realize how massive this community really is. Sure, you occasionally see actors or celebrities doing ASMR while promoting a movie, but the real core of it? Millions of followers who come back night after night for creators who focus on genuine relaxation. And it’s not just the “eating sounds” stereotype - these are well-produced, calming videos that feel like free therapy before bed. In a time where everybody’s looking for small ways to unplug and reset, ASMR isn’t just niche anymore. It’s becoming necessary and I expect hit to fully in the mainstream come next year.
My Recommendations
Oceans Asmr
Asmr Girl
Midnight Asmr
No Frills Asmr
Prim Asmr
Southern Sounds Asmr
Beez Asmr
After
After reminds me of Michelle Branch or early Taylor Swift. If I were making a TV show from scartch today, I would make sure they had a song over mutltiple different scenes. The Rolling Stone article hit it perfeclty. they are going for that y2k aesthetic but it sounds like right now. It’s that rare combination of knowing exactly who they are while still being on the ground floor of something bigger. If you’re looking for a long-term cultural buy, this is one of them.
Out in Front
If someone asked me my music taste, I would advise them to go listen to Out in Front. Out in Front gives me that nu metal/punk rock hit I didn’t realize I was missing. I first stumbled across them through a viral TikTok, and it immediately felt like they belonged on Octane, the sirius xm channel. Now they’ve announced a tour, and I think you’ll be hearing them for the foreseeable future. I was so excited about their potential that I even reached out to them to see if I could help spread the word. When I say I’m buying stock in them, I mean it.
Hilary Duff
Some people say the It Girl of the 2000s was Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, the Olsen twins, or Lindsay Lohan. But the heart and soul of that decade was Hilary Duff. Cheaper by the Dozen, Cadet Kelly, Lizzie McGuire, Raise Your Voice, A Cinderella Story - she was everywhere. TV shows, Disney Channel originals, movies with Steve Martin, Tom Welling, Chad Michael Murray (who we’ll get to later), Frankie Muniz - everyone who mattered in acting at that time crossed paths with Hilary. And on top of that, she dropped Metamorphosis, an album that gave us the themes to two MTV shows, half the Cinderella Story soundtrack, and just plain iconic pop.
Well, guess what? She just announced a new documentary and new music - and that momentum will only lead to more. Hilary won’t just be the queen of nostalgia; she’s setting herself up to own the present moment too.
Dancing with the Stars
Did I watch Carole Baskin’s season? No. Did I watch Tyra Banks host? Also no. But Alfonso, the Houghs, Carrie Ann leaning into the judge everyone argues with - that’s when the show works. Every great reality competition needs someone to love, someone to root for, and someone to root against. DWTS has all of that.
There was a time I thought Dancing with the Stars was dead. The days of it airing twice a week were gone. But now, they’ve nailed the formula - the right hosting team, family dynamics, Joey from The Bachelor doing the podcast, just the right balance of my age group, parents, and grandparents all watching the same thing. The celebrities are fun, but they aren’t the selling point anymore. The pros are the selling point - and that’s how you sustain it all. You keep Gleb around not because he’s a fan favorite, but because people love having a reason to root against him. Amazing. Stock: rising.
Chad Michael Murray
Do you think three-word names make you a bigger star? Chad Michael Murray speaks for himself. Sure, he’s done plenty of Hallmark movies and was even fake ice skating recently, but after Freaky Friday and a press tour that reminded everyone of his charm, I think people can book him again in real TV shows or movies. We don’t really have movie stars anymore, but in a shocking way, he feels like someone who could take a mediocre project and turn it into a real profit. Will he ever win an Oscar? No. Will he ever be The Rock? No. But there’s a niche out there for him, and that’s valuable. Stock: climbing.
Joshua Jackson
Joshua Jackson has been quietly stacking a résumé that keeps him right in the conversation. He did Doctor Odyssey, he’s lined up for a new project that doubles as a Pacey-and-Joey reunion with Katie Holmes, and he even showed up in Karate Kid Legends. Add in Dawson’s Creek landing on Hulu and suddenly he’s everywhere again. His appearance on The Rich Eisen Show showed how relatable and funny he still is - the kind of press moment that makes people root for you. Jackson doesn’t have to reinvent himself; he just has to keep showing up, and audiences will follow. I believe. Stock: strong buy.
Bonus Stock Lowering: Pedro Pascal
Call me Michael Burry in The Big Short, because I am shorting Pedro Pascal. He hit his peak - he was in everything, and honestly, some of it was average at best. His stock will never be higher than it is right now. Great run, but this is the sell signal.
