Time magazine has unveiled its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world and Hip Hop star Nicki Minaj, Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and “Quantico” star Priyanka Chopra are gracing 3 of six covers.
Nicki and Leo have been hailed as “icons” while Priyanka is recognized as an “artist.”
Lil Wayne took the honor of writing Nicki Minaj’s feature.
You know, in New York they used to have these street DVDs. It just so happened that I appeared in one, and when I looked at the finished product, Nicki Minaj was on a part of the DVD. I was like, “Woooooow!” She was just being Nicki without the glitz and glamour. When I heard the first two and four bars, it wasn’t even about her rapping better than any female rapper. It was about, man, she’s rapping better than other rappers—period.
I always wanted more for my artists and saw Nicki’s potential from the first moment I laid eyes on her. She’s reached far beyond everything I would have imagined. Man, she’s so influential and doing all the right things. She’s an icon, a boss and a role model to all these young girls out here on how to do it the right way. Her work ethic speaks volumes and has yielded these results. The scary thing is she’s still going. Ha! Nicki Minaj will go down as one of the best to do it in the history of music.
Secretary of State John Kerry had this to say about Leonardo DiCaprio:
When I first read how Leonardo DiCaprio slept in an animal carcass and gnawed on raw bison to transform himself into Hugh Glass, I may have felt a little queasy—but I can’t say I was surprised.
Leo’s talent is limitless, but his secret has always been pretty simple: he’s real. He does his homework. He knows what he’s talking about. That’s how he takes himself back in time 200 years to create an Oscar-winning, bear-brawling, powerhouse performance in The Revenant.
Preparation, authenticity and smarts are at the core of who he is as an artist. But I admire him even more for putting those formidable tools toward becoming such a galvanizing force to protect our planet. Since 1998, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has provided grants to conservation projects in more than 44 countries. He has employed his cinematic skills—in front of the lens and behind it—to make films that document our planet’s plight. He has discussed environmental threats directly with world leaders from Vladimir Putin to Pope Francis. And when I invited him to join the State Department’s first global Our Ocean conference, aimed at building collaboration to protect one of our most critical resources, Leo didn’t just show up—he put up millions of dollars for ocean protection as part of the effort.
Twenty years ago, Leo captured the hearts of millions of moviegoers by declaring, “I’m the king of the world!” Through his work and example, today he’s inspiring many millions more to help save it.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Priyanka’s “Baywatch” co-star took the honor of writing her feature.
Before ever meeting Priyanka Chopra, I had heard her name coming out of Bollywood and was impressed: she was beautiful, talented, had made nearly 50 movies, earned multiple awards—a massive star. When we connected around the time she started Quantico, we immediately hit it off. She has drive, ambition, self-respect, and she knows there’s no substitute for hard work. We always quote the saying “Wear your success like a T-shirt, not like a tuxedo,” and she really does—as big a star as she is, as global as she is, as beautiful as she is, there’s this interesting quality of relatability.
Now I’m lucky enough to be working with her on Baywatch. It’s an amazing time to watch as she pierces the U.S. market. She has an ability to inspire people to do more and achieve more. When I look at her success from the 50,000-ft. view and see everything that Priyanka has already done, is currently doing and has the desire and the bandwidth to do, I can see that her impact is going to be invaluable.
Visit TIME to get more scoop on their 100 list.
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