​'TIME' Reveals 2017 List of the 100 Most Influential People

Chance the Rapper, Donald Glover, Emma Stone, Constance Wu, Jordan Peele, Leslie Jones, Ryan Reynolds and Ed Sheeran are just some of the names included

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Apr 20, 2017

Each year, TIME compiles a list of the 100 people with the best IRL Klout scores, and its 2017 rankings just arrived this morning (April 20).
 
As always, amongst this year's list of the 100 Most Influential People, we find world leaders, innovators, athletes, writers, entertainers and musicians who are notable — or notorious — for their work and have had an undeniable impact on culture in the last 12 months.
 
Noteworthy names from the world of music that made the list this year include Chance the Rapper, John Legend, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys and Demi Lovato. The honourees have even been toasted with write-ups from recognizable names — with Common, Harry Belafonte, Taylor Swift, Kerry Washington and Arianna Huffington, respectively, penning tributes to the aforementioned honoured musicians.
 
Hollywood once again made its mark on the world this year, and TIME's list reflects that with a number of esteemed actors, directors and TV personalities being named amongst the top 100 influencers. Samantha Bee, Contance Wu, Riz Ahmed, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Donald Glover, Leslie Jones, Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, Margot Robbie, Sarah Paulson and James Corden all made the cut. Almost equally impressively, they were respectively championed with essays by Jane Curtain, Lena Dunham, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brie Larson, Helen Mirren, Tina Fey, Russell Crowe, Venus Williams, Kathryn Bigelow, Martin Scorsese, Cate Blanchett and Elton John.
 
Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, meanwhile, appears in the "Icons" category — and, although no introduction is necessary at this point, she received a written one from none other than screen queen Meryl Streep.
 
Elsewhere, Sheeran contributed an appreciation letter of his own for Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek, while A$AP Rocky praised designer Raf Simons with an induction essay of his own.
 
Head over here to peruse TIME's complete list of 100 Most Influential People and learn more about the each of the honourees.

Latest Coverage