These are the movers and shakers of 2018.
Pioneers, leaders, titans, artists and icons; TIME magazine has once again summed up the top 100 most influential people of 2018. Based on public votes with the final decision made by the TIME editors, each name on this list has made their own individual mark on the world.
Standouts this year include our own PM Jacinda Ardern, who has established herself as a notable political figure. Millie Bobby Brown was also celebrated as being the youngest person to ever make the TIME 100 list after already establishing herself in TIME‘s 30 influential teen list last year.
Meghan Markle also claimed a spot on the list – and we’re not at all surprised! The actress is set to have a big year marrying Prince Harry, becoming a full-fledged royal and pushing boundaries all while maintaining her relatable demeanour. Other nominees include Cardi B who shot to fame following her record-breaking single Bodak Yellow, and media icon Oprah Winfrey.
Scroll for our favourites below:
Jacinda Ardern
With only 11 countries in the world (out of over 200) led by women, Jacinda Ardern’s role as the Prime Minister of New Zealand has had a massive impact on the global stage (even catching the attention of Anna Wintour and US Vogue). Profiled by COO of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg for the list, Jacinda was also asked to pen a profile for fellow politician, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who made the same ‘Leaders’ category in TIME‘s list as Ardern.
Meghan Markle
Actress and friend Priyanka Chopra profiled, Meghan in the TIME 100 list calling her a “princess of the people”. Likened to actress to Grace Kelly, Meghan is hanging up her role in lawyer drama Suits to marry her prince, join the British monarchy and take on a range of royal duties.
Cardi B
With a strong, unapologetic voice, Cardi B shot to fame after her hit-single Bodak Yellow broke a range of music chart records. She’s also become a staple at fashion events and was pictured sitting front row with Anna Wintour at New York Fashion Week.
Gal Gadot
Her role as DC Comics hero Wonder Woman just about sums up Gal Gadot. She’s a hard-working wife, mother and actress whose portrayal of a smart and strong woman exceeds her role on film.
Millie Bobby Brown
The Stranger Things actress is no “stranger” to TIME‘s influential list, after being nominated as one of the 30 influential teens last year. She’ll reprise her role as the character Eleven in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things later on in the year.
Greta Gerwig
With her first directorial debut, Lady Bird, racking up an astounding 195 nominations and 84 awards, Greta Gerwig’s star is on the rise.
Christian Siriano
Designer Christian Siriano is championing a change amongst fashion brands with his encouragement of size inclusivity and body positivity – a belief which he incorporates in his own label and which saw models like Ashley Graham and actress Danielle Brooks walk down the runway at his New York Fashion Week show.
Virgil Abloh
The designer not only founded influential fashion label Off-White, but he’s recently been appointed as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear. Watch this space!
Rihanna
Rihanna’s been influential in the music scene for a long time but it’s her Fenty Beauty brand that has really caught the world’s attention and is having an impact on current beauty trends.
Oprah Winfrey
The media titan continues to make a positive impact with 2018 already seeing her star in Disney’s much-hyped film A Wrinkle in Time.
View the complete TIME 100 list here.
Words: Ella Francis
Photos: Instagram & Getty Images.
Style lessons from Meghan Markle’s royal wardrobe:
