On Thursday, Time magazine unveiled its 12th annual "Time 100 Most Influential People in the World" issue. Once again, the list features personalities ranging from the world of politics to the entertainment industry.
This 2015, some of the biggest celebrities in the world have landed on the "Time 100 Most Influential People" list. According to Billboard, celebs who have nabbed a coveted spot on the list include Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, Bradley Cooper, Lee Daniels, Amy Schumer, Reese Witherspoon, and Chris Pratt. Emma Watson, Julianne Moore, Julianna Margulies and Kevin Hart are also included in the list.
Moreover, People noted the "Time 100 Most Influential People" list also features some unexpected pairings of honorees and guest contributors the magazine has chosen to write about the honoree's profiles.
"In our annual TIME 100 issue, we tell 100 stories of individual influence," TIME Editor Nancy Gibbs said. "But taken together, these stories are an anthem to interaction, the convergence that occurs when a good idea goes viral. The technology that connects us also connects our worlds, of art and science and business and politics."
"So when we were debating whom to approach to write for this issue, we looked for people who could speak to their subject's influence in all its dimensions," Gibbs added. "Every year we hope the TIME 100 will introduce you to influential people you might not have met before and encourage you to find out more about them."
Meanwhile, though Kanye West's inclusion in the "Time 100 Most Influential People" list seemed a little bit surprising, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk explained why the rapper, who appeared in the "Titans" category, made the list. As stated by E! News, regardless of the public's opinion of West, Kim Kardashian's husband certainly has made an influence.
"Kanye West would be the first person to tell you he belongs on this list," Tesla Motors CEO Musk writes. "The dude doesn't believe in false modesty, and he shouldn't. Kanye's belief in himself and his incredible tenacity got him to where he is today."
"He wants everybody else to do the same: to engage, question, push boundaries," Musk notes. "Now that he's a pop-culture juggernaut, he has the platform to achieve just that. He's not afraid of being judged or ridiculed in the process."
Aside from Musk, other notable contributors who wrote about fellow influential people on the "Time 100 Most Influential People" list include Martha Stewart on Kim Kardashian, Oliver Platt on Bradley Cooper, Oprah Winfrey on director Lee Daniels, and Taylor Swift on "Barefoot Contessa's" Ina Garten, The Independent revealed. While Chris Rock wrote on Kevin Hart, Tilda Swinton on Amy Schumer, Mindy Kaling on Reese Witherspoon and Amy Poehler on her "Parks and Recreation" costar Chris Pratt.
For the complete "Time 100 Most Influential People" list, grab the 12th annual TIME 100 issue on newsstands Friday, April 17.
