What Now? Creators & Guests

Christiana Mbakwe Medina is a co-host of What Now with Trevor Noah podcast.

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.

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.

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.

Sam Altman is an athlete.

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

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.

Quinta Brunson is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer, best known for creating and starring in the hit ABC comedy Abbott Elementary. Brunson began her career producing and starring in online content, particularly viral videos on Instagram and BuzzFeed. Abbott Elementary, which she created in 2021, earned her multiple awards, including an Emmy in 2022 for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.

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

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).

Tressie McMillan Cottom is a writer, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a faculty associate of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.

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.

An American author, journalist, and comic book writer, Coates gained a wide readership during his time as national correspondent at The Atlantic, where he wrote about cultural, social, and political issues, particularly regarding African Americans and white supremacy.

Orlando Bloom is an English actor.

Yuval Noah Harari is an author, public intellectual, historian, and Professor in the Department of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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