THE A-LIST: The 30 coolest, most famous people in Hollywood right now

Samantha Lee/Business Insider

The entertainment industry is driven by a constant game of one-upmanship: Who has star power and who doesn't are questions that drive decisions about what gets made and how many people pay attention.

This year, Jennifer Lawrence established herself as the most-liked human in Hollywood, equally adept at carrying blockbusters and leading awards contenders. Along with other celebrities this year (Aziz Ansari, Viola Davis), she also used her success to push forward conversations in the media about topics like the gender pay gap and diversity.

This ranked list, voted on by Business Insider's entertainment section, identifies the entertainers (plus a few top executives) who are most successful right now, in pure dollar sums, but also in terms of their relevance and ability to drive their industries forward. We considered earnings information where available, and culled opinions from sources throughout the industry.

When we think of the future of movies, TV, and music, we think of these people.