Top 10 Best Role Models for Kids

This list is a diverse collection, spanning historical figures, entertainers, athletes, activists, and leaders. Some are known for their courage and determination, while others are celebrated for their creativity and innovation. Some have faced great adversity and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles, while others have used their platforms to inspire and uplift others.

But what makes a good role model for kids? It's not just about fame or fortune. It's about character, values, and the ability to inspire. A good role model should embody qualities that we want our children to emulate, such as honesty, kindness, compassion, and perseverance. They should be people who have made a positive difference in the world and who can serve as a source of inspiration for future generations.

The Top Ten

Jesus

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, in the region historically known as Palestine. He was born to Mary, and the Bible says, "she was found with child of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 1:18). He was both man and God (John 20:28). According to the Bible, He is God alone (Deuteronomy 6:4).... read more

Jesus is historically the most influential character. He came to save the world but was hated. He tried to correct the evil politics of the day but was persecuted. He did not bow down to false authority because he knew true authority was within him, drawn from God.
Now, God is real mentor material. Jesus loved unconditionally but tried to teach a better pathway for us. He healed the sick, loved the unlovely, helped the poor, and stood in the way of death for us so that we could have eternal life. Look up John 3:16 in the New Testament of your Bible.
That's right - smart kids know to dodge the dodgy mentors listed and read various wisdoms. So, get your hands on a Bible and be cool. After all, a role model has to have self-control, and Jesus was walking, talking self-control.
Taylor Swift

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter, born on December 13, 1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania. She developed a strong interest in country music around the age of nine after watching a Faith Hill documentary. Swift moved to Nashville as a teenager and, after signing with RCA Records, began... read more

Taylor is a great role model for kids and adults. She is kind and thoughtful towards her fans and family. She also teaches little kids to stand up to bullies. Not only does she say that, but she puts it into one of her songs, "Mean."
Taylor is my role model for many reasons, including how she dresses age appropriately, which is a good example for her younger fans. I love the way she always stays true to herself in her videos. She is not afraid to show her fans her inner self, and that is why her music makes me so happy.
The best thing a role model could do for her fans is to surprise them, and Taylor does that. She even surprises her fans who are in the hospital, which is why she is such a good role model for anyone, whether they are kids, teens, or adults.
Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War and succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering... read more

This is America's greatest president and one of our greatest American heroes. So, why is a socialist who just happens to be African American above him?

He is the 16th President, the first to bear the Republican title. He freed all slaves in America!

Abraham Lincoln was the best president I have ever seen rule a country. He ruled America with wisdom, justice, and benevolence.
Emma Watson

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson is a British actress, model, and activist. Born in Paris and brought up in Oxfordshire, Watson attended the Dragon School as a child and trained as an actress at the Oxford branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts.... read more

Emma is an inspiration to us all. She became one of the most successful young actresses, graduated with honors from an Ivy League university, and became a UN ambassador, all by the age of twenty-four.
Emma excels at overcoming negativity and criticism, striving to surpass expectations. She's a remarkable person who passionately advocates for her beliefs.

She is very beautiful. Her portrayal of characters is commendable. I believe she can also be a role model for teenagers.
Moreover, her education at a prestigious university is impressive. She excels academically and professionally. She effectively balances multiple aspects of her life.
Jackie Evancho

Jacqueline Marie "Jackie" Evancho is an American classical crossover singer who gained wide recognition at an early age. Since 2009, she has issued an EP and eight albums, including a platinum and gold album, and three Billboard 200 top 10 debuts. Evancho's latest album, The Debut, was her eighth consecutive... read more

Many caring parents who love their children take them to see Jackie Evancho. Jackie loves children and embodies many of the good qualities that parents would like their children to have: respect for others, consideration of others, determination, independence, zest for life, and positive behavior.
Jackie does not shy away from her responsibility to be a role model to young people and encourages children to pursue their dreams.

No other candidate in this poll comes close to Jackie Evancho. For those unfamiliar, I recommend visiting her Wikipedia page to understand her inspiring journey and role-model status. To those who are aware of Jackie, this is undoubtedly a clear choice.
Demi Lovato

Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series Barney & Friends as a child, she received her breakthrough role as Mitchie Torres in the Disney Channel television film Camp Rock and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam... read more

Demi should be number 1! She is the best role model I personally, and many other people I know, could ask for. She has shared her journey and struggles with the world and has previously overcome issues that many have faced. She has spoken openly about them to the whole world.
Yes, she relapsed in July, and yes, she overdosed. But if anyone uses that to argue she isn't a good role model, then that's a very invalid point. She may have fallen, but everyone falls in life. If anything, it shows that everyone, even celebrities you know and love, makes mistakes. Behind closed doors, you do not know what is going on in people's lives.
After her overdose, she has stayed strong and is now over 3 months clean, which is incredible. Alongside her strength to be honest with the public, Demi has donated to charities and done advocacy work to raise awareness of bullying.
She has also tried incredibly hard to change the stigma around mental health by not only raising awareness for it but also setting up talks for those who need it. She co-owns a treatment center and attends talks to tell her fans about the center, reminding them they are not alone and that she is there for them.
She also teaches that music can be a great outlet for emotions, and that starting off as a little girl with an incredible voice but no upper hand in the industry doesn't mean you can't make it big one day. She is the best role model I could ever ask for, and I believe she should make it to the top of this list.
Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.. January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968) was an African American minister and a pioneering civil rights leader. From 1955 until his assassination in 1968, he became the most visible spokesperson for the civil rights movement. King is best known for leading nonviolent... read more

Why is Taylor Swift number one? So what if she doesn't smoke and drink, does that make her perfect? All she does is date guys to write songs and break their hearts.
MLK showed us that we could become a country of freedom, and we did. Taylor Swift wrote stupid songs.

MLK stands out in this list because he had the biggest influence on society. I would pick him as my role model for sure.
Personally, however, my role model is either Winston Churchill or Kurt Hahn.

He should be somewhere at the top! He is one of the most inspirational people in the world! He helped stop slavery!
Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande‑Butera (born June 26, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her four‑octave vocal range has earned widespread critical praise, and her personal life continues to attract significant media attention. She has received numerous honors, including two Grammy Awards, a Brit Award... read more

When I listen to Ariana Grande, I feel uplifted. She radiates positivity, always appearing happy and cheerful. Her beauty isn't defined by her physique, and she avoids negative celebrity behaviors.
Her exceptional vocal talent and significant acting career are commendable. She's attractive and abstains from drugs, setting a positive example. She teaches little children...

She's incredibly talented, with a unique style and genuine personality. Her interviews on YouTube reveal her true character.
She's always responsive to her fans, loving, passionate about her work, and extremely kind.
Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017, becoming the first African-American to hold the office. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a U.S. Senator from Illinois (2005 to 2008) and as an Illinois state senator... read more

He is not perfect, but he is a good role model. To say that he has not accomplished more than the average person and that he is not a good role model is rubbish. And simply letting your political preference get in the way of common sense. He is not only the first African American president of the U.S., he has won the Nobel Peace Prize, been Time Magazine's Person of the Year, he is a celebrated author, he is a moving orator, he is a dedicated family man, and he has the talent to inspire children to believe that they can, in fact, accomplish anything. My son being one of those children!

He was a great president, as good as he could be considering he had a Senate full of Republicans who undermined whatever good he was trying to do.
I bet all of you who are saying he is not a good role model are either racist toward Black people, Arabs (because he has a Muslim name), Republicans, or ignorant. So Bush was better then? Someone who went to war with every country he could so that his friends who supplied the military with weapons and most probably funded his campaign would make money?
Bush Senior did the same, picking fights around the world to put money in the pockets of weapon suppliers. Plus, America is not a superpower. They owe the real superpower, China, lots and lots of money. And stop acting like the world police when you can't put order in your own backyard.
Selena Gomez

Selena Marie Gomez is an American actress and singer. She's best known for her hit songs "Come & Get It," "Good for You," "Same Old Love," and "It Ain't Me," as well as her starring role as Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place. While described as a mezzo-soprano with a vocal range often in the alto... read more

I believe that Selena Gomez is someone teens look up to as a role model. She has made a significant impact on others' lives and should continue being a positive role model. She is always so humble and sweet, just being a regular person. She doesn't pretend to be a good person just to get that "role model" label.
She also doesn't try to be super or act like someone she isn't. She stays true to herself, and that's why I think most teens look up to her. She will always be a great role model as long as she remains who she is.

She is very humble and sweet, and she is a regular person. She doesn't pretend to be a good person just to get that "role model" label, and she also doesn't try to be super controversial like Miley and some other stars.
Selena acts her age, and that's so good.

The Newcomers

?
Jelly Roll

I'm just adding him here because he's funny and kind. I just don't like his music. But kids who grow up with country will probably look up to him.
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Hannah Diamond

Hannah Diamond, also known as Hannah Amond, was born on June 20, 1991. She is a British singer, songwriter, photographer, and visual artist. She is known for her work with PC Music and A.G. Cook. She is best known for her songs Fade Away, Poster Girl, and Every Night.

She is very sweet and kind. She never swears in her music, and her music videos are entertaining.
She is very cute and never really wears revealing clothing, which makes her different from other celebrities. Her new album, Perfect Picture, has some inspirational songs like Poster Girl, Affirmations, and Lip Sync.
Hannah is not self-centered, never rude, and never shows off. She and Ariana Grande should switch places. Hannah never said F*** America, licked a donut, or wished death upon her fans. In fact, she is sweet to her fans.
She should be either above or below Taylor Swift. She is the British Taylor Swift - both are sweet and kind people.

The Contenders

Steve Jobs

Steven Paul Jobs (February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011) was an American entrepreneur and business magnate. He co-founded Apple Inc., serving as chairman and chief executive officer. He also founded NeXT, where he was chairman and CEO.... read more

Everyone in this section seems to misunderstand Steve Jobs. He significantly shaped the technology world. Despite being an adopted child with adoptive parents who were not wealthy, he created many successful products. Steve battled pancreatic cancer twice and ultimately succumbed to it.
However, during his first bout with the disease, he continued to innovate. Steve Jobs is an exemplary role model due to his perseverance and team-oriented approach.

He was a remarkable businessman often credited for Steve Wozniak's inventions. His journey from a hippie to a successful entrepreneur who sometimes overshadowed his colleague's contributions raises questions about his suitability as a role model for children.
J.K. Rowling

Joanne Rowling, CH, OBE, FRSL, FRCPE, who writes under the pen names J.K. Rowling and Robert Galbraith, is a British novelist, philanthropist, film and television producer, and screenwriter best known for creating the Harry Potter fantasy series. The series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide... read more

She has overcome many tough situations: divorce, being poor while looking after a very young daughter, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone getting rejected the first time. I think she is brilliant.

Having her first Harry Potter book rejected by seven different publishers, and yet still persevering to have the best-selling fiction book of all time. Also disregards stereotypes, particularly those directed at women.

She gave half the world a childhood. How is that not a role model?
And Barack Obama is only a role model to American kids.
Please USA, show some backbone! There are other countries in the world.
Beyonce

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who began her career as lead singer of Destiny's Child. The group scored multiple Billboard No. 1 hits including "Say My Name," "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Survivor," "Independent Women," and "Bootylicious." After their split,... read more

She could be a role model for everyone. She teaches kids to be true to themselves and that they can do amazing things if they have faith and talent. She is a very good influence.

Beyonce is always humble and is a remarkable role model for kids.

She is a good role model. She teaches kids how to be true to themselves.
Katy Perry

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, professionally known as Katy Perry, was born on October 25, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, and has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2013.
She is among the best-selling artists ever, with four Guinness World Records... read more

I personally think that Katy Perry is absolutely amazing. She is such a good person. She showed that it's okay to be a lesbian in the video I Kissed a Girl.
Yeah, she is a bit extreme, but isn't everyone?

I guess she is a great role model. For me. According to me, she must be the number one role model. She is a great role model for today's young generation.

I love Katy. She's so nice and beautiful and such a good singer. I've learned every word of every song that she sings. She's just amazing!
Neil Armstrong

Neil Alden Armstrong was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who became the first person to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969, during NASA's Apollo 11 mission. He was also a naval aviator, test pilot, and university professor. Armstrong's famous words upon stepping onto the lunar surface... read more

He shows us that we can do anything if we put our minds to it.
Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa (26 August 1910 - 5 September 1997), also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary. Although her passport name was Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, she was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Üsküb, now Skopje, capital of North Macedonia. After living... read more

Lived her life among the lepers of Calcutta, India, helping to make their lives better. Known for her great wisdom and kindness.
Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian-Spanish singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, choreographer, and model. She rose to international fame in the late 1990s with Latin pop hits and has sold over 85 million records worldwide. Shakira is also known for her philanthropic work through her... read more

I just want to say, if you like Shakira, read my comment! Did you know Shakira was in the school choir? But one day, her music teacher told her she sounded like a goat, and she got expelled from the choir. Then she started helping people who are homeless or starving and said, When I grow up and become an artist, I will help all those people who are starving and homeless. And she did.
Artists don't have to be good singers to be role models. It's the things they do. I don't actually really like Shakira's voice, but I feel so inspired by her now. Now I want to say, ha ha ha! Silly music teacher! Look at Shakira now! Ha!

Shakira is a great role model. She inspires kids to be good in school. She is very nice and kind to her fans. In my opinion, she is the best role model. She is very appropriate for all ages and has a general audience.
Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more

Michael Jackson is a very good role model. Whoever said he stinks, they are wrong. He did a lot of great things for his fans, his family, and really, he did a lot of good things for the world too.

Great singer, and he is the king of pop!

Michael Jackson is one of the best entertainers in the world. He donated money and time to sick children and adults. He wrote songs about world hunger, racism, and love. It was perfectly normal for him to feel insecure, because he was still human. He didn't have a normal childhood, that's why he was still a kid at heart. For me, he is and will always be my idol, hero, and icon.
Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson (born October 5, 1958, in New York City) is an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. Since 1996, he has served as the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City.... read more
Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin (February 12, 1809 - April 19, 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist. He is best known for formulating the theory of evolution by natural selection, which posits that all species of life descend from common ancestors. In 1858, he and Alfred Russel Wallace published... read more
Eminem

Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, actor, and music producer born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem has sold over 220 million records, making him the best-selling hip-hop artist of all time. In addition to his solo career, he was a member of D12 and (with... read more

I feel like he personally touches each of his fans or listeners with at least one of his songs, regardless of the issue they're dealing with. He should definitely be up on this list. Although Eminem is super controversial, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion on everything in life, he has positively (and negatively, partially if you consider some cases) changed many lives.
Yet, he perseveres no matter how much hate he receives, including death threats and demotivating acts against him. This characteristic is one that everyone needs! He is definitely someone to look up to for many more characteristics that I have not mentioned.
Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter, and children's book author. She rose to fame in 2002 after winning the inaugural season of American Idol, which earned her a record deal with RCA Records. Clarkson's debut single, "A Moment Like This," topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and became... read more

Kelly is one of the very few in Hollywood today who do what they do just because it is their passion, not for the money or the fame. She has made it from a small-town girl from Texas to an international superstar, and still she is a completely level-headed and normal girl.

Oh my God, nobody knows the way she has impacted me. Because of her, I'm alive at this moment typing this now. All I have to say is she's a good role model for anyone to have. I look up to her a lot.

She teaches kids to stand up for what they believe in and that they don't have to be a size 0 to be beautiful.
Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein (14 March 1879 - 18 April 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist, widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest and most influential physicists of all time. Einstein is best known for developing the theory of relativity, but he also made important contributions to the development... read more

Even if he didn't develop the theory of relativity, he would still be regarded as one of the greatest scientists ever. In fact, his Nobel Prize in Physics was not awarded for relativity at all.

He failed at school as a child but turned out to be one of the most brilliant people to this day. He teaches children that a little determination can make a big difference!

He's one of the best scientists ever to exist. He's a good role model for kids since he had a big contribution to science.
Michael Jordan

Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, he made six NBA Finals appearances. Jordan won the NBA championship each time.

He is arguably the most hardworking athlete. As a young player, he was removed from his basketball team, which only fueled his determination. His gratitude towards his coach for this tough love reflects in his NBA success.
Therefore, I firmly believe he deserves a spot on this list.

He was rejected by his high school basketball coach for being too short. Now he's the greatest player of basketball in the world.

He has his own charity and donates to many others even after retirement.
Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen Lee DeGeneres is an American comedian, television host, actress, writer, producer, and LGBT activist. She starred in the sitcom Ellen from 1994 to 1998 and hosted The Ellen DeGeneres Show from 2003 until 2022. DeGeneres has received multiple Emmy Awards and was awarded the Presidential Medal of... read more

Ellen is an amazing person. She is charitable, funny, and just seems like a great person. The episode with Talia proves this.
I literally cried seeing it. It was so sweet of Ellen to do all that for a young girl who was suffering from cancer!

A wonderful person inside and out. Selfless, with a good sense of humor, and she is extremely brave.
I can't believe pop stars are possibly good role models? I am losing faith in humanity.

Ellen DeGeneres is an outstanding, inspirational, and spirit-filled person. I love her, and these reasons were very convincing and wonderful to say about someone.