W Magazine

Jan 2026

W Magazine’s annual Best Performances portfolio captures a collection of industry-leading actors and entertainers through a raw, tactile lens. Photographed by Tyrone Lebon with creative direction from Charles Levai and Kevin Tekinel, the editorial series leans into a distinct aesthetic, bridging the gap between polished studio portraiture and behind-the-scenes documentary coverage. The project utilizes varied photographic techniques, including high-contrast flash lighting and analogue film formats, to create a textured, immediate feel. Subjects, ranging from Elle Fanning and Kirsten Dunst to A$AP Rocky, are presented in both staged, character-driven scenarios and candid, raw studio moments. Hair stylist Jawara and makeup artist Lauren Parsons provide grooming that shifts from subtle minimalism to stylized, dramatic flourishes, rounding out an expansive visual survey of contemporary talent.

Editorial, Vertical

Flash

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