February 1, 2002
Kelly Carter
USA Today
HOLLYWOOD -- Erika Christensen had never heard of it. Oliver Hudson was surprised he was on it. Gabrielle Union was grateful but didn't take it too seriously.
Just what is it? E! Online's version of the new ''it'' people, a list of 16 twentysomething stars destined to be Hollywood's next big thing. ''The Sizzlin' 16 of 2002'' were honored Wednesday at Club A.D. and will be featured on E! Saturday at 6 p.m. ET/PT.
The rest of this year's group: Adam Beach, Orlando Bloom, Hayden Christensen, Clayne Crawford, Jennifer Garner, Lauren German, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal (Jake's sister), Desmond Harrington, James King, Mia Kirshner, Taryn Manning and Tom Welling. Most said they couldn't attend the bash, where Pete Yorn played, because they were working.
Some of the hot 16 have already made names for themselves: Christensen won attention playing Michael Douglas' drug-addicted daughter in Traffic. Union stole Bring It On from Kirsten Dunst. Garner's role in Alias just earned her a Golden Globe. And Welling has a hit with Smallville.
But Hudson, son of Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson and brother of Kate Hudson, is a true newcomer.
''I was surprised only because I haven't really done many things that people can see me in,'' says Hudson, whose show The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star premieres on WB in March. ''But it's an honor to be a part of it. I'm definitely happy I made a list. It's the first list I've ever made in my life, so it's a joyous occasion.''
In 1997, E! Online began naming the 16 by canvassing studio executives, directors and other Hollywood insiders. Previous ''sizzlers'' include Penelope Cruz, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
While Christensen could rattle off the alumni like the alphabet, she confessed she'd never heard of the Sizzlin' 16 until she became a part of it.
''All right,'' she said. ''Pull it out of me. I didn't know, but I'm thrilled to find out who is on it.''
Union, pleased to be honored particularly because she's African American and thus the only person of color among the 16, kept it all in perspective.
''It's one of those things that makes you feel really cool for the moment,'' she said. ''And then you go back to mowing your lawn and taking out your garbage and you realize you've got to keep working.''
