Time’s top list wide-ranging
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Ron Desantis and New Yorkers Pete Davidson and Mary J. Blige are among Time magazine’s wideranging selections for the 100 most influential people of 2022.
The new list, which came out Monday, includes fan-favorites and controversial figures, with each person designated as an artist, innovator, titan, leader, icon or pioneer.
The selections of the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and the Russian President Putin come three months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“In President Zelensky, the people of Ukraine have a leader worthy of their bravery and resilience, as citizens across the country — shopkeepers and soldiers, tailors and truck drivers — fight for their homes and their freedom,” President Joe Biden wrote in an essay about Zelenskyy.
“Each time we speak, I hear in President Zelensky’s voice the relentless determination of a man who believes profoundly in his duty to his people, and lives up daily to the solemn responsibility of leading his nation through this dark and difficult hour.”
Biden was also included on the Time 100 list for a third consecutive year.
Davidson, the Staten Island-born comedian who is dating Kim Kardashian, ended his eightyear tenure on “Saturday Night Live” this past weekend and has starred in films including his semi-autobiographical “The King of Staten Island.”
“Pete’s appeal to the world has everything to do with his authenticity,” rapper Jack Harlow wrote of Davidson. “He doesn’t try to hide the person that he is. It’s a classic recipe for success and connection.”
The 28-year-old Davidson helped headline a lineup of entertainers chosen by Time that also includes “Shang-chi” actor Simu Liu, Oscar winner Ariana Debose, “The Batman” star Zoe Kravitz and Hollywood staples Sarah Jessica Parker, Andrew Garfield and Zendaya.
“Ariana Debose is what I call a quadruple threat: she’s not only a dancer, an actress, and a singer, but also kind,” Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth wrote.
“As the first openly queer woman of color to win an Oscar for acting, for ‘West Side Story,’ she’s a trailblazer. I think she’ll one day win an EGOT.”
Included under the “Titans” billing were Apple CEO Tim Cook, media mogul Oprah Winfrey and “Star Trek” standout Michelle Yeoh, while Bronx-born singersongwriter Blige headlined the magazine’s “Icons” section.
“She carved out a lane for herself, and now she can feed the people more than just music,” fellow New York artist Nas wrote of Blige.
“She has a lot more to offer, from her incredible acting career to her wine brand to the Strength of a Woman festival she just launched in Atlanta. And I feel like she’s just getting started. She’s who we wanted her to be, and even more. She became who she’s supposed to be.”
Desantis, the Florida governor who polarized Americans by keeping his state open during the early stages of COVID-19, made Time’s list under the “Leaders” section.
“During the pandemic, most people stayed home, and those who didn’t probably moved to Florida,” Jeb Bush wrote. “Despite relentless criticism, Governor Ron Desantis kept schools open, ensured Florida’s economy remained open for business, and allowed individuals to determine their own risk tolerance.”
Time began releasing its 100 most influential people of the year in 1999. The list is meant to reflect people who have a significant global influence that can be perceived as positive or negative.