2025 promised to be a very promising year for Haitians, and so it was. Whether living in the diaspora or in their homeland, Haiti, despite the socio-cultural difficulties, many of them have decided to continue creating, learning, and excelling. Taking note of these achievements and in line with our usual annual tradition of honoring a select group of people—a tradition that has marked the end of the year for many years—Mag Ayiti has identified the 10 most deserving Haitians in various fields, from sports to music, from fashion to content creation, to conclude this year’s celebrations and pay tribute to the talents of 2025.
We present the 10 most influential young people of 2025, all under the age of 35.
Melchie Dumornay (22 years old) : In 2025, Melchie “Corventina” Dumornay received the award for best young prospect in world soccer. She was included in the second edition of ESPN’s ranking of the “10 best young talents under 21.” At just 18 years old, she entered the Ballon d’Or rankings. For the second consecutive year, she won the title of best player in the CONCACAF (2024-2025 season). She is the best young player in the Champions League and ranked 15th in The Guardian’s 2025 ranking of the “100 best female soccer players in the world.”
Anie Alerte (33 years old) : With the creation of the Zile group and the release of the album Vwayaj, Anie Alerte has made a major comeback on the Haitian music scene. She completed a two-day tour in Haiti with sold-out concerts. The opening of Zile Boutik in North Miami Beach has further increased her visibility. Currently on an international tour, she continues to strengthen her bond with her loyal audience with an emblematic slogan: “Zile, son peyi a” (Zile, that’s the sound of this country).
Duckens Nazon (31 years old) : Duckens Nazon, a prominent striker for the Haitian national team, was one of the key players in Haiti’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, finishing the qualifiers as the team’s top scorer with six goals. With 43 goals to his name, he is just four goals away from Emmanuel Sanon’s all-time record (47). In 2025, his decisive performances multiplied, particularly against Costa Rica in September. He continues to be a fundamental figure for Haitian football.
Gesny Pierre Louis (29 years old) : Originally from Cité-Soleil, Gesny Pierre Louis has been living in Chile since 2017. He is a rising star in the world of freestyle inline skating. In 2019, he ranked eighth in the world in his category and first in Chile. In 2025, at the Lucas Slalom Cup in Spain, he won a gold medal in an international competition. Having qualified for the 2025 World Championships in Singapore, he placed twelfth in the inline skating high jump event out of 370 participants. He is the first Haitian to achieve these results in this sport and aspires to win a world title.
Mélissa Queenie Sapini (22 years old) : After a two-year absence, Mélissa Queenie Sapini represented Haiti at Miss Universe 2025. She proudly represented her country at the 74th edition of Miss Universe, held in Thailand. Crowned Miss Universe Haiti 2025 on October 18th at the Palm Theatre in Boca Raton, she is known for her charisma. A graduate in audiovisual journalism from Suffolk University in Boston, she currently works as a television presenter for the New England Sports Network, in addition to being a model and actress. She is also the co-founder of the Two Queens Foundation, an organization dedicated to education and literacy in Haiti, inspired by her grandmother.
Don Deedson Louicius (24 years old) : On November 18, 2025, against Nicaragua, Don Deedson Louicius scored the decisive goal that secured Haiti’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. On October 9, he earned his 25th cap for the national team, scoring his ninth goal. Having transferred to FC Dallas for one million dollars, he is one of the five Haitian players with the highest market value.
Chris-Tell Louis (16 years old) : Originally from Saint-Marc, Chris-Tell Louis is known for her educational videos in French and Creole, which began going viral in September 2025. Her clear language and teaching skills have allowed her to reach a wide audience on TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Currently a first-year high school student, her ambition is to become a fashion designer while maintaining her commitment to her audience and, above all, to her educational goals.
Danley Jean Jacques (25 years old) : Danley Jean Jacques, who plays for the Philadelphia Union, is aiming to win the 2025 Supporters’ Shield, the trophy awarded to the best team in MLS. A key player for his team, he has participated in 22 out of 25 matches. He also took part in the World Cup qualifiers with the Haitian national team, notably scoring a crucial goal on October 9 against Nicaragua. With six goals to his name, he is currently one of the most prolific Haitian midfielders.
Ariana Milagro Lafond (18 years old) : Ariana Milagro Lafond, a student of diplomacy and international relations, is one of the most popular Haitian personalities on TikTok. Her success stems from her simplicity, authenticity, and lack of scandals. In November 2025, she reached 10 million followers completely organically. She was also highly praised for her participation in a charity concert, which also featured Loutchina Decius and Joy Clerf Dérisier. She currently serves as a senior student ambassador at her university, representing students in promoting civil protection.
Shegger Beats (29 years old) : Aris Stanley Shegger, also known as Shegger Beats, is a beatmaker, composer, and singer who plays a central role in the contemporary gospel scene, establishing himself as one of the most influential producers of Haitian gospel music. He is the author of hits such as “SOS” by Rosena Orys, “Mizèrikòd” by Loutchina Decius, and “Jouez” by the Valéus sisters. He also produced the cover of “Kadosh Kadosh,” performed by Les Élus Haiti.
Translated by Moise Lena Jean Louis
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