WASHINGTON — TIME on Wednesday released its full list of 100 most influential people of 2021 and plans to showcase the list with seven special, worldwide covers.
Celebrities and political leaders showcased on the covers include Prince Harry and Meghan, gymnast Simone Biles, actor Kate Winslet, singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, director-general of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, CEO of NVIDIA Jensen Huang and writer Cathy Park Hong.
The 18th annual list of influential people includes 10 climate leaders, dozens of advocates, political leaders, 54 women and the youngest featured in the issues is 18-year-old Sunisa Lee. The oldest person in the 2021 issues is 78-year-old President Joe Biden.
"At TIME, we see the TIME100 as far more than a list," said TIME CEO and editor in chief Edward Felsenthal in a statement. "It is a community of leaders whose energy and commitment we hope inspires others to spring into action as well."
The list also features pairings where TIME magazine asked guest contributors to talk about the impact of each of the people featured on the list. Some include:
- José Andrés on Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
- Kenneth Branagh on Kate Winslet
- Serena Williams on Simone Biles
- Megan Thee Stallion on Billie Eilish
- Andrew Ng on Jensen Huang
- Ali Wong on Cathy Park Hong
- Prince Harry and Meghan on Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
- Paris Hilton on Britney Spears
- Nancy Gibbs on Donald Trump
- Michelle Kwan on Allyson Felix
- Julie Andrews on Shonda Rhimes
- Miley Cyrus on Dolly Parton
"I find reason for optimism... in our 18th annual TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people," Felsenthal added. "It features extraordinary leaders from around the world working to build a better future, from entertainers striving to make Hollywood more inclusive to activists fighting for sustainability and human rights….They are disrupters, fixers, doers, iconoclasts, problem solvers—people who in a year of crisis have leaped into the fray.”
For the second year in a row, TIME and ABC will air a television special about the list of 100 people on Monday, Sep. 20 starting at 10 p.m. ET. The special will offer an inside look at the pioneers, artists, leaders and icons comprising the 2021 list, along with special performances and surprise appearances.