TIME 100 Next‘s yearly list of 100 inspirational people was unveiled Wednesday (September 13). In 2019, Time launched the list as part of their effort to evolve how their news magazine tells stories. With its Time100 feature, the publication spotlights those who have “achieved peak influence in their fields.” Besides reflecting on the present, Time expresses that their choices should “push us forward, showing what is possible as well as what society’s future and future leaders” in health, climate, business, sports, the arts, and more will look like.
As the publication states on its website, making this list requires research and reporting across Time’s global network of editors and correspondents. They sift through hundreds of suggestions and then meet to debate who belongs on the list. Editorial editor Caye Matthews says, “Through this process, we get to know so many extraordinary leaders who are creating change across the world. Our hope is that this list offers a glimpse into their important work.” And so, Time put together this list of a growing variety of rising individuals whose talents and achievements complement the group as a whole.
Last year’s list featured Keke Palmer, Sydney Sweeney, Machine Gun Kelly, Jack Harlow, Jonathan Majors, and SZA, just to name a few highlights. All of these actors and musicians have had a standout year — for various reasons — since last year’s feature in the publication. For example, multi-talented entertainer Palmer starred in Jordan Peele’s 2022 film Nope. In 2023, she debuted her first studio album in almost a decade, titled Big Boss. The artist, who made her directorial debut with the album’s accompanying visual film, is currently on a US tour across eight cities.
After giving birth to her first child, son Leodis Andrellton Jackson in February with boyfriend Darius Jackson, Keke’s relationship made headlines when Jackson shamed her outfit she wore at an Usher concert. The two have since made up, but not before Keke capitalized on the situation by starring in Usher’s music video for “Boyfriend.”
See the four women spotlighted in this year’s Time100 list that have made an impact in pop culture below.