Alumna Kara Young Featured in New York Magazine’s The Cut

Excerpt from “The New Vanguard: Seven electrifying artists who refuse to conform”
Originally published in The Cut on September 14, 2026
By Juan A. Ramírez, Photography by MAR+VIN

Kara Young is an alumna of The Young Women’s Leadership Schools and a Student Leadership Network (Em)Power Breakfast Honoree.

The New Vanguard: Seven electrifying artists who refuse to conform

Hometown: New York
Known for: Her historic back-to-back Tony Award wins in 2024 (Purlie Victorious) and 2025 (Purpose).

How would you describe your personal style?
Being born and raised in Harlem, you gather from so many different kinds of influences. One time you’re a Fifth Avenue girl, the next time you’re Lil’ Kim. All those hip-hop influences always seep through when I’m getting dressed. She is so iconally herself. The “Crush on You” video is one of my constant go-tos; all of those fabulous, colorful wigs.

I remember when I used to wear the A-Shirt with the tight jeans and some Air Force 1s, a doobie with some diamond earrings, you know what I mean? I had a moment where I totally did that, but then an older friend of mine told me I was doing too much. I would put on five different chains and five different bracelets, so now I’m starting to understand that maybe less is more. But sometimes more is more.

On advocating for herself creatively:
I worked every single day of the pandemic. I did every production on Zoom. I became a lighting designer, makeup, hair designer — my apartment became a theater. You have to make the proper situation.

There’s a hustle that is a part of wanting to get yourself out there at a time when you don’t have representation. You have to be all those people to make sure that you’re advocating for yourself, that you’re pitching yourself properly, emailing casting directors, inviting them to the show that you rehearse for three weeks and only runs two nights. You become that by default in this industry, especially when you don’t have reps.