Here are a couple of articles about a slimmed-down Linux distro and a Linux distro that is promising to be quite different, at least under the hood; one free of GNU libraries and programs.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/sparkylinux-is-a-no-frills-linux-distribution-anyone-can-use/?utm_source=pocket_saves
https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/13/chimera_non_gnu_linux/?utm_source=pocket_saves