Ever wonder who’s really running the show behind the scenes in Hollywood? Variety just shined a spotlight on the industry’s rising stars – the 10 Assistants to Watch for 2025! These future executives are already making waves and getting some serious recognition. What invaluable advice did a top agent share with them?

The spotlight recently illuminated the unsung heroes of Hollywood, as Variety proudly unveiled its “10 Assistants to Watch Class of 2025,” celebrating these pivotal figures who are undeniably the **emerging talent** driving the **entertainment industry** forward. This prestigious recognition, culminating in a vibrant happy hour event at One Universal on the iconic Universal Studios Lot, underscores the profound impact these individuals have on shaping the future landscape of show business and offers crucial **Hollywood recognition**.

Hosted by industry powerhouses NBCUniversal and the Junior Hollywood Radio & Television Society, the event was a curated experience designed to foster **career growth** and crucial **networking opportunities**. Attendees enjoyed a lively atmosphere complete with refreshing drinks, delectable food, and custom merchandise from meme-page-turned-media-company, all contributing to an environment ripe for connection and collaboration among the industry’s brightest up-and-comers.

For many of the honorees, being named one of Variety’s “10 Assistants to Watch” is already proving to be a transformative experience. Christine Murrain, coordinator for Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of TV Studios for NBC Entertainment & Peacock Scripted at Universal Studio Group, shared a testament to this immediate impact, recounting how strangers have begun to recognize her in public. Her invaluable contributions are clearly cherished, as evidenced by Igbokwe’s proud demeanor standing alongside Murrain at the event.

Beyond Murrain, the Class of 2025 boasts a diverse and impressive roster of **assistants to watch**, representing a wide spectrum of the **entertainment industry**’s leading companies. This includes Nikki Bergman from Range Media Partners, Katie Byrne of HBO & HBO Max Content, Bela Levin representing Skydance, Blake Maley from Gersh Agency, Jessica Omokheyeke of The Recording Academy, Rose Poole from CAA, Kimia Simab at Searchlight Pictures, Arman Yaghmai from UTA, and Olivia Zweig of Screen Gems, collectively showcasing a powerful wave of future leadership.

The emotional apex of the evening was undoubtedly the poignant speech delivered by Verve TV literary agent Roberto Larios, a distinguished member of a prior “10 Assistants to Watch” class. Larios’s address resonated deeply with the audience, offering not just congratulations but profound wisdom gleaned from his own journey within the fiercely competitive world of Hollywood.

With a blend of humor and heartfelt sincerity, Larios captivated the crowd with his evocative analogies. He famously likened the assistant’s role to being “someone’s sidekick, a partner in crime, a Robin to their Batman, or, because we’re at NBCU, the minions to their Gru,” eliciting howls of laughter and nodding approval from the assembled **emerging talent**.

Larios’s core message was a powerful call to embrace the unique position of an assistant as a period of unparalleled career growth and exploration. He urged the aspiring executives, “Don’t be afraid to take chances. This is one of the few moments in your career where you have the permission to learn, to make mistakes and to grow. So take risks, ask questions and put yourself out there.” This emphasis on bold initiative and continuous learning highlights the vital role of mentorship and self-development in their professional trajectories.

Ultimately, the event served as a potent reminder that the relationships and habits forged during these formative years will indelibly define careers for decades to come. By celebrating these **assistants to watch**, Variety and its partners are not just honoring current achievements but actively investing in the sustained vitality and future leadership of the global **entertainment industry**, ensuring a pipeline of exceptional **emerging talent** for years to come.