As always, influence was the name of the game as TIME magazine narrowed down its 10th annual “100″ list to a five-category group of Artists, Icons, Leaders, Pioneers and Titans. A few notables include:
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA & FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA
He was so nice, that we voted for him twice. President Obama and the lovely Michelle Obama make up one-third of a trio of couples who round out the TIME 100. In a write-up by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, she states, “When Barack Obama was first elected, the world saw the realization of the American Dream. Today, they see a leader who delivers — whether it’s ending the war in Iraq, imposing crippling sanctions on Iran or reasserting our role as a Pacific power and building a world with more partners and fewer enemies.”
For Michelle, author Maya Angelou notes, “She hasn’t tried to become anybody else’s idea of the First Lady. She has remained herself, with her grace, her gentleness and her sense of humor. That she would dare to wear clothes off the rack. Or go out and garden. Or have a grandmother in the White House. She knows how to be a public creature without being separate from her family.”
JAY-Z & BEYONCE
Recently named “pop music’s first billionaire couple,” it seemed like a no-brainer to include entertainment’s royal couple in this year’s list. The glossy named the hip-hop legend a “Titan” while his other have was marked an “Icon,” and rightfully so.
Together, the twosome have raked in the dollars with sold-out concerts, numerous musical projects, endorsement deals, clothing lines and more.
The Carters are living the high life.
LEBRON JAMES
As a defending world champion, King James has a lot resting on his shoulders as he continues his quest for greatness. But no one can deny that he possesses the qualities of a legend.
New York Yankees star Derek Jeter writes, “His dedication, devotion and focus have won the admiration of fans — and his athletic peers. He’s someone anyone, in any profession, can look up to. Set the bar high for yourself, like LeBron does.”
SHONDA RHIMES
“Shonda is a storyteller for our times,” writes Oprah Winfrey.”Courageous in her approach to the work, she’s never played by other people’s rules.”
Rhimes has struck Hollywood gold with the success of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, its former spin-off Private Practice and the wildly popular series Scandal starring Kerry Washington. The Chicago native has a knack for sharing the stories of unconventional characters in primetime television. And for that, we salute her.
Check out the full list of TIME 100 honorees– including Miguel, Frank Ocean, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and others– here!
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