Time Magazine has dropped their list for the 100 Most Influential People for 2020 – and it’s pretty star studded.
The list is broken down into five categories – pioneers, artists, leaders, icons, and titans. Among the stars included this year are Selena Gomez, Megan Thee Stallion, Michael B. Jordan, Halsey, Jennifer Hudson, Gabrielle Union, The Weeknd, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Ali Wong, Tyler Perry, Billy Porter, Michaela Coel, JoJo Siwa, and more.
Those named to the TIME 100 also got a congratulatory message from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – along with a special message for everyone – who made a special appearance during the TIME 100 special on Tuesday from their new home in Santa Barbara, California.
“We’re just six weeks out from Election Day, and today is National Voter Registration Day. Every four years, we are told the same thing, that ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime,'” Meghan Markle said. “But this one is. When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard. Your voice is a reminder that you matter. Because you do. And you deserve to be heard.”
Prince Harry added that he’s “not going to be able to vote here in the U.S., but many of you may not know that I haven’t been able to vote in the U.K. my entire life.”
“As we approach this November, it’s vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity,” he continued, with his wife adding, “So as we work to re-imagine the world around us, let’s challenge ourselves to build communities of compassion.”
They also talked about online misconduct and how it can affect people.
“Seeing our world through the lens of community is so important. Because we need to redraw the lines of how we engage with each other, both online and off,” Meghan said. “What we’re exposed to online seeps into how we engage with each other offline. It can train us to be kind, or it can train us to be cruel.”
“But when the bad outweighs the good, for many, whether we realize it or not, it erodes our ability to have compassion and our ability to put ourself in someone else’s shoes,” Harry continued. “Because when one person buys into negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially. It’s time to not only reflect, but act.”
Each year, the honorees are featured with a piece written about them by a fellow celebrity.
Taylor Swift honored Phoebe Waller-Bridge, writing, “The 2019 Emmys were full of glitz and glamour, but as far as the Internet was concerned, there was one image that stole the show. The picture in question launched thousands of tweets, ranging from ‘Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the Emmy’s after party is a big fat mood,’ to ‘My vision board is just this photo 500 times’ and the popular ‘THE POWER SHE HOLDS.’ It depicts Phoebe, mid-puff-of-smoke, blissfully relaxing on a sun lounger in a glittery Monique Lhuillier gown, surrounded by Emmys. It was, to paraphrase pretty much everyone who saw it, iconic.”
“But an image alone doesn’t evoke this kind of passionate response without a story behind it. The reason this picture feels so good to see is that before this moment, there were seemingly endless drafts and rewrites and deadlines,” Taylor continued. “There were countless times this writer was up at all hours of the night, not celebrating in the delicious glow of the light bouncing off her golden trophies, but racking her brain to try and stick a literary landing.”
“Sometimes all the puzzle pieces fall into place at the perfect time. A combination of razor-sharp instincts, killer wit and genuine care for the people she works with proved to be a winning hand,” Taylor added. “She is the executive producer and was a showrunner of the thrilling hit show Killing Eve. Her one-woman play Fleabag was adapted into a show that turned her into everyone’s favorite self-sabotaging maker of mischief. (Phoebe has a habit of creating complex female antiheroes in a way that seemed previously reserved for male characters.) And she co-wrote the screenplay for the new Bond film.”
“It’s magical to see that all the rehearsals, baby steps, false starts and dead ends can lead to an extremely driven and unfathomably talented woman unwinding in a lounge chair surrounded by her winnings,” Taylor concluded. “Phoebe Waller-Bridge and all that she has achieved is, indeed, a big mood.”
Camila Cabello wrote the essay about J Balvin, reflecting on how his bravery and openness about mental health inspired and moved her in a major way.
“During a period of intense anxiety, I saw his posts on Instagram talking about his struggle with anxiety and mental health, and I remember bursting out crying because I no longer felt alone,” Camila wrote.
The “Havana” singer shared that she is “amazed that someone who was achieving such incredible things was still vulnerable and brave enough to share that with the world.” And how, despite his success, he has remained “so humble, hardworking and gracious, and so constantly grateful and kind.”
“What I truly admire and love the most about José is that he is just himself. He’s himself to the world, he’s himself to his friends and his peers, and he’s got the kind of heart that makes him a person everyone is rooting for,” Camila concluded.
Kim Kardashian-West, who penned the essay about JoJo Siwa, talked about the 17-year-old YouTuber’s positivity, calling her a “ray of sunshine.” Her eldest daughter, North, is a big fan of JoJo – and the two have previously collaborated on one of JoJo’s videos.
“As a parent, you want your kids to admire positive figures,” the mother of four writes. “There’s no one more positive than JoJo. You just can’t help but smile when you see her rainbow ponytail. She’s a great role model for children, and her optimism is more necessary now than ever.”
Kim also looked back to her earlier days, marvelling at how JoJo has managed to be so self-assured at such an early age.
“When Keeping Up With the Kardashians first aired, I was old enough to know who I was and make my own decisions,” she writes. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to live this life at age 17. JoJo embraces it, and I hope she always will.”
“Live in the moment. Have fun. Be yourself and surround yourself with people who will keep you positive,” she advised.
JoJo went on social media and gave Kim props right back, writing, in part, “I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love and respect Kim and her whole family, she has always been there for me and is always the nicest human ever.”
Last year, BTS was among those featured in Time 100’s list – Halsey, whom they collaborated with on their single “Boy With Luv,” wrote the featured essay. The boys got to return the favor when Halsey was hailed as one of this year’s most influential artists.
Congrats to all the celebs and public figures who made the list this year!
