girl in the Target Holiday 2025 ad

Every holiday season, as the temperatures drop and the lights go up, one question reliably dominates conversations around the dinner table, in family group chats, and across social media feeds: "Did you see the Target commercial?" Target has spent years mastering the art of creating heartwarming, memorable holiday advertising that perfectly captures the magic of the season. Their commercials have become as much a tradition as decorating the tree or baking cookies.

But in 2025, there isn't just one simple answer to the question of who stars in these beloved spots. This year, Target has done something different. They've created a multi-faceted campaign—a true masterpiece of modern marketing—featuring different stories, different faces, and even different musical artists. If you've been watching television, scrolling through TikTok, or checking YouTube, you've likely seen several different commercials and wondered, "Who is that?"

Let's break down the key campaigns of Target's 2025 holiday season and answer the question once and for all: Who is the girl in the Target Holiday 2025 ad?

The Viral Star: The Girl on the Ice Rink

Without a doubt, the most talked-about commercial of the season features a young woman gliding across an ice rink, her energy radiating as brightly as the twinkling lights surrounding her. This ad has gone viral not just for its beautiful cinematography, but for its unforgettable and energetic soundtrack.

Watch the official 30-second "Ice Rink" ad here:

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While the specific identity of the actress in this spot isn't widely publicized, what we do know is the music that has made it so incredibly popular. The track is an energetic, uplifting song by breakout artist Benson Boone.

Listen to the full song by Benson Boone here:

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The collaboration with Benson Boone is a strategic and brilliant move by Target to capture the attention of younger audiences. His music brings a modern, vibrant, almost anthemic energy to the classic holiday shopping theme. The actress in this commercial becomes the visual embodiment of that energy—she is carefree, joyful, and fully immersed in the magic of the moment. She doesn't need to speak; her expression and movement, set to Boone's music, tell the entire story.

You can also watch the punchy 15-second version here:

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This shorter edit proves that even in half the time, the combination of the actress's captivating performance and Boone's infectious music creates an irresistible hook that keeps viewers watching and sharing.

The Storyteller: Kris K. and the "Naughty List"

Not every Target holiday ad is about pure, soaring joy and ice skating. Some are designed to make you laugh out loud. And one of the most charming and talked-about spots of the 2025 season features a Target employee in a delightfully humorous and awkward situation.

Watch the "Naughty List" ad here:

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In this commercial, a Target employee—identified as Kris K. (a playful and unmistakable nod to Kris Kringle, aka Santa Claus)—is on a date at a restaurant. The conversation is going well, until he casually mentions that he has a "naughty list." The humor comes from the brilliant double meaning: is he talking about Santa's legendary list of misbehaving children, or is he making a slightly awkward joke about his date?

This ad is a brilliant piece of micro-storytelling because it achieves several things at once:

It Humanizes Employees: It shows Target staff as real people with full lives—they have personalities, senses of humor, and even dating lives outside the store.
It Uses Clever Wordplay: The "naughty list" concept is instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up with Christmas stories, making the joke land immediately.
It Creates Universal Connection: Let's be honest—everyone has either been on or heard stories about an awkward date. This scenario is universally relatable, and the humor transcends age.

The actor playing Kris K. brings a perfect blend of earnestness, slight nervousness, and perfect comedic timing, making this one of the most memorable character-driven ads of the entire season. It's a reminder that the holidays aren't just about perfection; they're also about laughter and human connection.

The Main Event: "Step Into Holiday Magic"

Beyond the specific, targeted narratives, Target also released its flagship, cinematic campaign for 2025, grandly titled "Step Into Holiday Magic." This is the sweeping, emotional spot that encapsulates everything Target wants to say about the season in one beautiful package.

Watch the main "Step Into Holiday Magic" ad here:

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This commercial features a diverse and inclusive cast of characters—families, friends, couples, children, and grandparents—all experiencing the unique joy of holiday shopping at Target. The focus here isn't on any single person or product. It's on the experience: the warm glow of the lights, the beauty of the decorations, the thrill of finding the perfect gift, and the feeling of warmth and belonging that comes from being in a place that feels like home during the most wonderful time of the year.

The word "magic" in the title is absolutely key. Target is positioning itself not just as a store, but as a destination where holiday memories are actively made. The actors in this spot aren't just models posing with products; they are stand-ins for the viewer. They invite us, silently and warmly, to step into that magic ourselves and create our own memories.

The Beauty Connection: Madelyn Cline in Revlon at Target

If the "girl" you're thinking of appears in a cosmetics-focused segment of the Target holiday campaign—perhaps a close-up on a beautiful face applying lipstick—you might be thinking of someone else entirely: actress Madelyn Cline.

Target has a dedicated and massive beauty section, and during the holidays, they often feature specific brand collaborations within their stores and ads. Madelyn Cline, the breakout star of Netflix's Outer Banks, has been a prominent and striking face for Revlon, a brand heavily stocked at Target.

See Madelyn Cline's Revlon look here:

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If your memory of a Target holiday ad is tied to lipstick, gloss, shimmer, or a glamorous beauty close-up, Madelyn is almost certainly the face you're remembering. Her campaigns for Revlon often run concurrently with Target's broader holiday marketing, creating a beautiful and powerful synergy. She represents the glamorous, polished, and celebratory side of the holiday season—the parties, the gatherings, the family photos, the desire to look and feel your absolute best.

Why So Many Faces? The Power of Multi-Channel Marketing

Target's 2025 holiday campaign is a masterclass in the power of multi-channel marketing. By creating multiple ads with distinctly different tones, different stars, and even different music, Target ensures that they reach every possible audience segment with a message that resonates specifically with them.

CommercialPrimary FocusTarget Audience

Ice Rink (Benson Boone)	Music, energy, youthful joy	Gen Z, music lovers, trend-followers
Naughty List (Kris K.)	Humor, character, relatability	Adults, comedy fans, general audience
Step Into Holiday Magic	Emotion, family, tradition	Broad, multi-generational families
Revlon (Madelyn Cline)	Beauty, glamour, self-care	Makeup enthusiasts, fashion-conscious shoppers

There is no single "girl" in the Target Holiday 2025 ad. There is a cast—a talented and diverse collection of actors, musicians, and celebrities who each bring a different, essential flavor of holiday joy to the screen. This approach reflects the reality of the modern holiday season: it means different things to different people, and that's exactly as it should be.

Conclusion: The Many Faces of Holiday Joy

So, the next time you're gathered with family and a new Target commercial comes on, you can be the expert. You can identify the viral ice skater dancing to Benson Boone, laugh knowingly at the dating mishaps of Kris K., feel the warmth radiating from the families in "Step Into Holiday Magic," or admire the timeless beauty of Madelyn Cline.

Target's 2025 holiday campaign is a true celebration of diversity—not just in terms of who they cast, but in the rich variety of stories they choose to tell. It's a powerful reminder that the holidays are a mosaic of experiences: moments of high-energy joy, awkward laughter, quiet family connection, and personal glamour.