Breakout country stars, trailblazing performances, breathtaking fashion moments, and C&I firsts are what we’re celebrating from 2024.
This year was a doozy for Western media, fashion, art, and sports. But a few moments made us stand back and say, “Wow, the West is in good hands.” We’re looking at some of our favorite moments from breakout actors, recording artists, fashion designers, athletes, and artists that make us look to the future with glee and anticipation.
Breakout Stars Of Film And TV
Alaqua Cox
We were first introduced to Deaf Native American actress Alaqua Cox in 2021, when she burst onto the scene as Maya Lopez — the Deaf Indigenous woman-warrior employed by New York crime lord Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin — in the Marvel series Hawkeye. In 2024, Cox took the spotlight in Hawkeye’s spinoff series Echo. The Disney+ series followed Maya as she travelled back to her hometown in Oklahoma to escape her former employer, where she battles a new threat alongside a powerhouse Indigenous cast including Chaske Spencer, Zahn McClarnon, Tantoo Cardinal, Graham Greene, and Devery Jacobs. Cox’s electrifying performance as the Indigenous superhero turned the heads of critics and Marvel fans alike, leaving us on pins and needles waiting to see what the actress takes on next.
Cox’s historic role as Maya Hawk/Echo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was reportedly the actor’s first professional acting experience (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Marvel Studios/ Chuck Zlotnick).
Takola Black Elk
South Dakota actor and direct descendant of a Lakota holy man Takola Black Elk made his mark in multiple Western series this year. While fans of the Taylor Sheridan cinematic universe may know him as Sam Stands Alone in Yellowstone, and may have also spotted him as a Lakota warrior on Yellowstone’s prequel 1883, Reba fans may know him as the friendly waiter Takoda in Happy's Place — NBC’s new comedy starring The Voice coach. After stumbling into acting by accident while dropping off a friend at an audition and being mistaken for another actor, Takola Black Elk has taken on heavy hitting roles in films such as 2017’s Wind River and 2024’s Outer Range. While the majority of his roles have been supporting, Black Elk’s mesmerizing performances have us pulled in every time.
Sam Stands Alone, drinking buddy of Kayce Dutton and Robert Long, first entered the Yellowstone universe in its very first episode (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Paramount).
Belissa Escobedo
Another frequenter of Reba McEntire’s Happy’s Place, Los Angeles native Belissa Escobedo broke into the mainstream this year after several supporting roles. Before she found herself rubbing elbows with Reba on the country icon’s latest sitcom, Escobedo made waves with her viral 2014 poetry performance on The Queen Latifah Show along with her spoken word team “Somewhere in America.” In 2020, she received her breakout role in the short-lived series The Baker and the Beauty. After recurring roles in series such as Don’t Look Deeper and American Horror Story, Escobedo took on larger roles in films such as the 2022 fantasy comedy sequel Hocus Pocus 2 and the 2023 superhero film Blue Beetle. In 2024, Escobedo costarred in Happy’s Place as Isabella, the long-lost half-sister of Reba McEntire’s Bobbie. Her instant likeability and playful sparring with McEntire make for a powerful performance that we can’t wait to get more of.
Escobedo plays the half-sister and eventual business partner of Reba in the sitcom, which aired on October 18, 2024, on NBC (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of NBC).
Kauchani Bratt
Kauchani Bratt turned heads after starring alongside Jessica Matten in Rez Ball, Sydney Freeland’s terrific Netflix drama about Native American high school basketball players. Inspired by Michael Powell’s critically acclaimed nonfiction book Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation, Rez Ball was adapted and reconstituted by Freeland and co-scripter Sterlin Harjo into the compelling narrative of a small-town New Mexico high school basketball team as they strive for the state championship. Bratt, a newcomer with plenty of real-life high school basketball experience but virtually no acting background on his resume, gave what can only be described as a star-making performance as Jimmy, vividly illuminating every facet of a complex and sometimes contradictory character. Rez Ball made a theatrical run starting on September 17, 2024, before hitting Netflix on September 27, where Bratt’s breakthrough performance is still on display.
Kauchani Bratt’s starring role in Rez Ball was his first professional acting experience (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Netflix).
Breakout Recording Artists And Crossover Stars
Post Malone drops a country crossover hit.
Before Post Malone dazzled rodeo goers with his March 9th performance at the American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, he lit up the 2023 CMA Awards with his performance alongside country artists Hardy and Morgan Wallen. After teasing his foray into the world of country, Post Malone released F-1 Trillion — his first country album. The album, which dropped on August 16, 2024, has since been nominated for seven GRAMMY awards, including Best Country Album and Best Country Song. The pop artist’s sixth studio album features guest appearances from country greats like Tim McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., Dolly Parton, Lainey Wilson, and more.
Post Malone performed at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2019 before taking on the headlining performance at the American Rodeo in 2024.
Country rapper Breland makes waves.
The multi-talented artist can hardly be placed in any one genre of music. His songs have blended themes of gospel, country, rap, soul music, and R&B (to name a few). However, “country rapper” Breland has officially made his mark on the country music scene thanks to his collaboration with country heavy-hitter Shania Twain. After making an appearance during Twain’s 2023 Austin City Limits performance, Breland has collaborated with the Canadian country star on “Boots Don’t,” a rockin’ country single featured on Twisters: The Album — the accompanying album to the Western film Twisters. Breland has since taken the country world by storm, taking home the ACM Lift Every Voice Award in 2023 and collaborating with Keith Urban, Kevin Ross, and more.
Prior to releasing his collaboration with Shania Twain, Breland made appearances alongside the country star during several of her performances in 2023 and 2024 (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Grand Ole Opry).
Beyoncé returns to her roots in a new country album.
The greatest musical artists are rarely confined to one lane or style. The same can be said for Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Cowboy Carter was released on March 29, 2024, showcasing the recording artist’s vast Western roots by taking a deep dive into country and Americana — from twangy to rootsy to rocking. The genre-blending LP featured a plethora of country recording artists throughout its 80-minute runtime, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Brittney Spencer, as well as other music icons such as Stevie Wonder, Post Malone, and Miley Cyrus. The album marks the Houston, Texas, native’s first official leap into the country genre. However, the album blends a variety of genres, from rock to gospel to bluegrass and more. Cowboy Carter was recently nominated for Album of the Year at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards.
Cowboy Carter is Beyoncé’s eighth studio album and is the second in the artist’s planned trilogy, following her 2022 album Renaissance.
Highlights In Western Sports
Window to the West premieres in NYC.
Cutting champion Adan Banuelos — one of the youngest National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Famers — is known for his passion for horsemanship and dedication to the Western way of life. Western culture brand Teton Ridge captured his Western spirit, as well as the spirit of other influential folks within the Western industry, with Window to the West, a six-part short film series that delves into the background and aspirations of Western movers and shakers. The docuseries’ first episode, titled Horse Sense, follows Banuelos through his early years to his current quest for superior horsemanship. Banuelos’ episode aired on August 27, 2024, and was welcomed by two viewing parties — one held at Teton Ridge’s TR9 Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, and another held in New York City, bringing the West to the Big Apple.
Adan Banuelos demonstrated some cutting horse moves before the first screening of Window to the West in New York City (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Teton Ridge).
Teton Ridge acquires The Cowboy Channel.
In a massive step for rodeo and Western sports broadcasting, Teton Ridge announced its acquisition of The Cowboy Channel on November 20, 2024. The Cowboy Channel, along with its sister network The Cowgirl Channel, collectively reach over 100 million people across their many platforms, broadcasting around 600 live rodeo events annually. Now, Teton Ridge is taking up the torch, promising to preserve the legacy of the broadcasting company while expanding its reach to an even larger audience with a mix of traditional and digital media. As part of the pioneering acquisition, Teton Ridge has also established an exclusive licensing agreement with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), covering more than 600 sanctioned rodeos domestically and internationally, including the National Finals Rodeo.
Led by the late Patrick Gottsch’s media company Rural Media Group, The Cowboy Channel was established in 2017, broadcasting live rodeo and Western sports coverage to tens of millions of people (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Teton Ridge).
Hippie Cowgirl honors turquoise traditions with an NFR saddle bronc.
Hippie Cowgirl Couture broke new ground this November with a partnership with Macza Pro Rodeo’s Prize Saddle Bronc, just in time for the 2024 NFR. The Fort Worth-based, female-owned turquoise jewelry brand crossed into the rodeo world with the partnership which premiered at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo. Hippie Cowgirl Couture proudly sponsored Macza Pro Rodeo’s Saddle Bronc #6, naming the bucking horse “Squash Blossom Steely Dan.” This partnership marks the first time a Western jewelry brand has supported an equine athlete at the NFR. J.J. Wooten, owner of Hippie Cowgirl Couture, wanted the bucking horse’s name to reflect the brand’s passion for turquoise jewelry. The two brands settled on “Squash Blossom Steely Dan,” a name which blends the elegance of the turquoise jewelry tradition with the explosive power of a winning bucking bronc.
Squash Blossom Steely Dan has been dubbed the “bucking unicorn” due to his unique dapple-grey and white coat and powerful bucking performances (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Hippie Cowgirl Couture).
Ivan McClellan honors Black cowboys with his 8 Seconds Rodeo.
On June 16, 2024, thousands of Black cowhand culture supporters gathered to honor Juneteenth, which became a national holiday in 2021, at the second annual 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo (the first of its kind) held in Portland, Oregon. Photographer, designer, and architect of the 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo Ivan McClellan brought the rodeo to life at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. McClellan sat down with cowgirl and storyteller Candace Dantes on the eve of the historic event to talk about bringing the rodeo to life, his love for the Western way of life, and his work in documenting the Black cowboy experience.
After creating the 8 Seconds Rodeo, McClellan documented Black rodeo athletes in his photography book, Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture, which was released in 2024 (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Ivan McClellan).
Trailblazing Fashion Moments
SWAIA Native Fashion Week takes the spotlight.
In May of 2024, Santa Fe was aglow with Indigenous joy and creativity as SWAIA (Southwestern Association for Indian Arts) hosted its first ever Native Fashion Week. Nearly a decade after Fashion Week director Amber-Dawn Bear Robe (Blackfoot/Siksika) began the SWAIA fashion show as a facet of the Santa Fe Indian Market, Indigenous designers, models, and celebrities gathered to celebrate Indigenous fashion on the denim carpet. Runway shows, pop-up shops, exhibits, symposiums, and more were offered to attendees along with the Western luxuries of New Mexico. Indigenous actors Jessica Matten and Kiowa Gordon of Dark Winds and Dakota Beavers of Prey were among the models who walked the runway in breathtaking garments by Patricia Michaels, Cece Meadows, and other iconic Native designers.
Tantoo Cardinal walked the runway alongside Indigenous models and designers as part of Patricia Michaels’ fashion line showcased at SWAIA Native Fashion Week. (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Tira Howard).
Naiomi Glasses makes history with her Ralph Lauren collaboration.
In a historic moment for Indigenous fashion, Diné weaver Naiomi Glasses became Ralph Lauren’s first artist in residence. Her first order of business in this trailblazing role was to release three seasonal product launches in collaboration with Polo Ralph Lauren. The second of these three launches — the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection — celebrates traditional Navajo designs while adding a contemporary twist. Glasses’ residency marks the beginning of Ralph Lauren’s Artist in Residence Program – an opportunity for artists to collaborate with the Ralph Lauren creative team. The first collection dropped in December 2023 and told the story of Glasses’ weaving journey.
Naiomi Glasses’ collaboration with Polo Ralph Lauren was showcased by iconic Indigenous models such as Quannah Chasinghorse and Philip Bread (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Ryan RedCorn/Ralph Lauren).
Justin Boots establishes the Day of the Cowboy Boot.
Justin Boots announced the creation of the inaugural National Day of the Cowboy Boot, set to be celebrated annually on October 8. The new holiday is a tribute to this legacy and a celebration of the vital role that cowboy boots have played in shaping American culture. Justin Boots selected October 8 as the official date to celebrate the cowboy boot while also celebrating the founding of the boot brand in the fall of 1879, making this celebration a fun and fitting way to honor the brand’s rich history. This day provides an opportunity for everyone — from the heart of Texas to the streets of New York — to embrace the cowboy boot’s rich history and its enduring influence on fashion and lifestyle.
Justin Boots and affiliates such as Tony Lama are known for their handmade boots that ensure top quality (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Tony Lama).
N8iV Beauty translates Native traditions to modern skincare techniques.
It all began back in 2020, when Luiseño/Payómkawichum entrepreneur Ruth-Ann Thorn took her daughter to Sephora to find some cosmetics that would suit Indigenous skin, only to realize that there were no beauty products created specifically for Indigenous skin in the mainstream beauty market. Thorn she set out to change that. A few years later, Thorn’s skincare brand, N8iV Beauty, is blossoming. In August of 2024, N8iV Beauty added six new products to the roster for conscientious consumers to buy, ranging from the mineral-rich Móomat cleanser (employing algae, seaweed, and kelp) to the gentle Móyla exfoliant (enriched with sweetgrass) to the color-correcting Timét sunscreen (infused with algae and cactus extracts). This fall, her line made its debut in Nordstrom stores and on the retail behemoth’s website, marking a milestone for a Native-owned beauty brand.
N8iV Beauty products range from the mineral-rich Móomat cleanser to the gentle Móyla exfoliant (PHOTOGRAPHY: Laura Bravo Mertz).
Magnificent Moments In Western Art
C&I gets its first art cover.
C&I’s August/September 2024 issue was dedicated to the artistry of the West, from historical works of art telling tales of the prairie to contemporary takes on Western and Indigenous traditions. In honor of the art that shaped the West, C&I teamed up with San Antonio’s Briscoe Western Art Museum to release the magazine’s first art cover, featuring a piece of art titled The Sioux Fire Maker by Kathryn Woodman Leighton. The piece was featured in the museum’s 10-year anniversary book, The West Starts Here: A Decade at the Briscoe. C&I challenged the Briscoe to pick their “Top 12” pieces from that collection to be featured in the issue’s cover story, marking a significant moment in both Western art history and C&I history.
C&I’s 2024 Artistry of the West issue is available on the C&I Shop now.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art stuns with Knowing The West.
Amid stunning architecture and 120 acres of Ozark nature, Knowing the West opened this fall at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Co-curated by Mindy Besaw, Crystal Bridges’ curator of American Art, and Jami Powell (Osage Nation), curator of Indigenous art at Dartmouth College’s Hood Museum of Art, the exhibition presents more than 120 artworks, including textiles, baskets, paintings, pottery, sculpture, beadwork, saddles, and prints by Native American and non-Native American artists. The exhibition went on view September 14, 2024, and will run through January 27, 2025, during which the show will travel to two additional venues and will be accompanied by a fully illustrated book published by Rizzoli Electa.
Albert Bierstadt (American, Born in Germany, 1830 – 1902); Sierra Nevada Morning; 1870; Oil on canvas; 55¼ x 85½ inches; Gilcrease Museum; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Gift of the Thomas Gilcrease Foundation; 01.2305 (PHOTOGRAPHY: © Gilcrease Museum).
Shane Balkowitsch revitalizes an ancient photography technique.
Wet plate photography was the process photographers used for some of the great historical photographs of the mid-1800s, including the first images of the Sioux leader Sitting Bull. And it’s the process Shane Balkowitsch uses in his ongoing project to photograph 1,000 Native Americans of the 21st century from North Dakota and the surrounding region. From each set of 250 portraits, he chooses 50 favorites to publish in a book. He has already published two volumes. The third in the series, Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective, Volume Three, came out in July of 2024, featuring Redsky Starr, Sacred Bear (Mandan, Arikara, Hidatsa, Yankton Sioux) on the cover. Using this ancient photography method, Balkowitsch is showcasing Indigenous heritage through a new lens.
Redsky Starr, Sacred Bear (Mandan, Arikara, Hidatsa, Yankton Sioux) shot by Shane Balkowitsch using wet plate photography (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Shane Balkowitsch).
