Taylen Biggs Knows What Gen Alpha Wants - and the Last-Minute Gifts That Nail It

Age is just a number, and few people embody that sentiment quite as perfectly as Taylen Biggs. At just 12 years old, she's already hard to pin down with a single title - budding fashion icon, influencer, actress, and, perhaps most notably, young reporter all apply, but no single label really does her justice. With millions of followers across platforms, the South Florida native's voice travels well beyond her age group, and her résumé of interviewees reads like a who's who of Hollywood, including Rihanna, Kris Jenner, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Still, one conversation stands out above the rest. "I knew it was a huge opportunity, but it didn't fully hit me until I was actually in the chair across from her," Biggs tells Popsugar of her 2024 interview with Selena Gomez. "I remember thinking, wait. . . this is real. I'm really here, doing this. It was one of those moments where time slows down a little, and you just feel grateful that your dream is happening right in front of you."

High-profile moments still bring nerves, but Biggs has learned to welcome them. "I always tell myself that nerves mean I'm grateful and that I care, so I try to use that energy in a good way. My hype-up routine is very me! I'll blast music, give myself a little pep talk, and sometimes I'll watch "Miraculous" or "Alvin and the Chipmunks" because it puts me in my happy zone. And honestly, talking to my family before I go on always centers me. Once I feel that love, I'm ready!"

While Biggs' reporting has earned her serious credibility, she's also become a celebrity in her own right. She's a familiar face on red carpets, regularly sits front row at New York Fashion Week, and often dressed head-to-toe in designer everything. (The white Stella McCartney blazer and green Bottega Veneta bag combo she stepped out with in 2023 is permanently bookmarked in my brain.)

Image Source: Getty / Christopher Polk (Left)
Getty / Claudio Lavenia (Right)

In other words, when it comes to defining Gen Alpha's style, her perspective holds serious weight. "I think Gen Alpha is officially done with anything that feels like you have to fit into one aesthetic," she says. "We're over the idea that your style has to stay in one lane. One day it's bows and sparkles, the next day it's sweats and big jackets . . . and that's the fun of it! We care more about expressing how we feel that day than following a rule. So if a trend tells us to 'pick a side,' we're like . . . nope, we're good."

She's just as clear about what adults often misunderstand about Gen Alpha, especially when it comes to gifting. "I think adults sometimes underestimate how specific Gen Alpha is," she says. "We actually know what we like . . . and what we don't. We love fun, but we also love quality (we actually like to do our research) . We want things that feel like us, thoughtful, and match our vibe, not just whatever is trending for five minutes. When it comes to style, we're not trying to dress 'older,' we're trying to dress [like] us!! We love pieces that tell a story, feel unique, and make us feel confident."

With that in mind, there's no better person to turn to for Gen Alpha–approved gift ideas. Whether you're tackling last-minute holiday shopping, planning ahead for an upcoming birthday, or just curious about what the next generation actually wants, consider this list a shortcut to getting it right. And yes, even as a 30-year-old, I'd happily shop it, too.