What Now? Creators & Guests

Trevor Noah is a celebrated comedian, television host, and author best known for his role as the host of "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Noah began his career as a stand-up comedian, gaining international recognition for his sharp wit and incisive humor. He succeeded Jon Stewart as the host of "The Daily Show" in 2015, bringing his unique perspective and global sensibility to the show. Noah has received numerous accolades for his work, including two Emmy wins. In addition to his television career, he is the author of the bestselling memoir "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" (2016), which chronicles his experiences growing up during apartheid.

Janelle Monáe is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and producer. She gained critical acclaim with her debut album The ArchAndroid (2010), which blended elements of funk, soul, and R&B, establishing her as a unique voice in contemporary music. Monáe's subsequent albums, including The Electric Lady (2013) and Dirty Computer (2018), have received widespread praise, with the latter earning a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. As an actress, she has appeared in notable films such as Moonlight (2016), Hidden Figures (2016), and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). Monáe is also an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice, often incorporating these themes into her art.

Bryan Johnson is an American entrepreneur

Ahmir Khalib Thompson (aka Questlove) is a musician, music journalist, record producer, rapper, and multi-instrumentalist. He is the drummer & joint frontman for the hip hop band The Roots.

Idris Elba is a highly respected actor, producer, and musician known for his dynamic and versatile performances. Born in London, England, Elba gained international fame with his role as Stringer Bell in "The Wire" (2002-2004) and as DCI John Luther in "Luther" (2010-2019). His film work includes notable roles in "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" (2013), "Beasts of No Nation" (2015), and the "Thor" series (2011-2017). Elba is also an accomplished DJ and music producer, performing under the name DJ Big Driis. He continues to work across various media, earning acclaim for his talent and versatility.

Dr. Adam Grant is a psychologist and popular science author. Currently, he is a Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania specializing in organizational psychology.Before his career in academia, Grant was the advertising director at Let's Go Publications and a professional magician. He was hired by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to serve as an assistant professor of organizational behavior in 2007. He published a series of papers in academic journals, and was hired as an associate professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2009.

Rajan Datar is a broadcaster, journalist, and co-host of The Forum podcast.

Sam Altman is an athlete.

Kevin Hart is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2001 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for a recurring role on the TV series Undeclared.

Quinta Brunson is an American writer, producer, comedian, and actress. She is best known for producing and acting in BuzzFeed Video content, and the series Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date.

Samuel Altman is an entrepreneur, investor, programmer, and blogger. He is the CEO of OpenAI and the former president of Y Combinator.

Josh Johnson is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. Johnson has written for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, where he also appeared in various on-screen segments. He has performed stand-up on platforms such as Comedy Central, Netflix, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In 2021, he released his stand-up special Hashtag and the comedy/music mixtape Elusive, showcasing his unique blend of comedy and music.

Anne Helen Petersen is a writer and journalist.

Kerry Washington is an actress and producer known for her powerful performances and advocacy work. Born in The Bronx, New York, Washington gained widespread recognition for her role as Olivia Pope in the television series "Scandal" (2012-2018), earning multiple awards and nominations. Her film work includes notable roles in "Ray" (2004), "Django Unchained" (2012), and "Confirmation" (2016). Washington is also a dedicated advocate for social justice and gender equality, actively supporting various causes and organizations.

Jessica Alba is an American actress and businesswoman. She began her television and movie appearances at age 13 in Camp Nowhere and The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994), but rose to prominence at 19, as the lead actress of the television series Dark Angel (2000–2002), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination.Her big screen breakthrough came in Honey (2003).

Jerrod Carmichael is an American stand-up comedian, actor and writer, he created and starred in the semi-biographical NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show.

Tristan Harris is a technology ethicist and co-founder of The Center for Humane Technology.

Orlando Bloom is an English actor.

Bill Gates is an American business magnate, investor, author, philanthropist, and humanitarian.