01of 16Britney SpearsBritney Spears.Allen Berezovsky/WireImageWith a groundswell of support from fans and a new legal team, Spears finally won in court and the 13-year conservatorship that kept her under her father’s control came to an end on Nov. 12. Newly engaged to Sam Asghari, the star said she was “just grateful” for “being able to have the keys to my car … be independent and feel like a woman.” By raising a question about the conservatorship system, her case may lead to much-needed reform.
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Britney Spears
Britney Spears.Allen Berezovsky/WireImage
With a groundswell of support from fans and a new legal team, Spears finally won in court and the 13-year conservatorship that kept her under her father’s control came to an end on Nov. 12. Newly engaged to Sam Asghari, the star said she was “just grateful” for “being able to have the keys to my car … be independent and feel like a woman.” By raising a question about the conservatorship system, her case may lead to much-needed reform.
02of 16Simu LiuTheo Wargo/GettyThe first lead Asian superhero in the Marvel Universe got his start as an accountant in Canada, where he was raised. Luckily he moonlit as a movie extra, and, he said, “I came out of it totally enamored.” He doesn’t take his role inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringslightly. “I know just how much this movie could mean to so many people,” he said.
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Simu Liu
Theo Wargo/Getty
The first lead Asian superhero in the Marvel Universe got his start as an accountant in Canada, where he was raised. Luckily he moonlit as a movie extra, and, he said, “I came out of it totally enamored.” He doesn’t take his role inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringslightly. “I know just how much this movie could mean to so many people,” he said.
03of 16Lil Nas XSteve Granitz/FilmMagicIn 2019 the artist challenged country music withOld Town Road. This year he “birthed” an album at No. 1 and challenged “hyper-masculine” hip-hop norms. “Change is happening,” he toldGQ,adding, “Ten years from now, everything that I’m doing won’t even seem like it was shocking.”
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Lil Nas X
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
In 2019 the artist challenged country music withOld Town Road. This year he “birthed” an album at No. 1 and challenged “hyper-masculine” hip-hop norms. “Change is happening,” he toldGQ,adding, “Ten years from now, everything that I’m doing won’t even seem like it was shocking.”
04of 16AdeleAdele.Cliff Lipson/CBS via GettyAfter a five-year hiatus, the British icon reemerged with new music and a new boyfriend. Her first album since her divorce was therapeutic and turned heartbreak into hits like “Easy on Me.” “My main goal in life,” she told Oprah, “is to be loved in love.”
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Adele
Adele.Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty
After a five-year hiatus, the British icon reemerged with new music and a new boyfriend. Her first album since her divorce was therapeutic and turned heartbreak into hits like “Easy on Me.” “My main goal in life,” she told Oprah, “is to be loved in love.”
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Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds.Theo Wargo/Getty
06of 16Shonda RhimesKevin Winter/GettyAfter the unparalleled success ofBridgerton,which returns in 2022 and has been renewed for seasons 3 and 4, the genius behind Shondaland expanded her Netflix deal to include films. “Shonda Rhimes is a force like no other,“Michelle ObamatoldForbes.“All you have to do is look at the empire that keeps growing year after year to see that her stories … are something people are hungry for.”
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Shonda Rhimes
Kevin Winter/Getty
After the unparalleled success ofBridgerton,which returns in 2022 and has been renewed for seasons 3 and 4, the genius behind Shondaland expanded her Netflix deal to include films. “Shonda Rhimes is a force like no other,“Michelle ObamatoldForbes.“All you have to do is look at the empire that keeps growing year after year to see that her stories … are something people are hungry for.”
07of 16Jason SudeikisGetty ImagesHe made a career of playing jerks onSNLand in films likeHorrible Bosses.But after tiring of playing the guy “who is ignorant but arrogant,” as he toldThe Guardian,he “wanted to play a guy that was ignorant, yes, but also curious.” As Ted Lasso, a hapless American football coach hired to coach a U.K. soccer team, Sudeikis leaned into kindness, charming viewers craving positivity during a pandemic. For that,Ted Lassowon seven Emmys.
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Jason Sudeikis
Getty Images
He made a career of playing jerks onSNLand in films likeHorrible Bosses.But after tiring of playing the guy “who is ignorant but arrogant,” as he toldThe Guardian,he “wanted to play a guy that was ignorant, yes, but also curious.” As Ted Lasso, a hapless American football coach hired to coach a U.K. soccer team, Sudeikis leaned into kindness, charming viewers craving positivity during a pandemic. For that,Ted Lassowon seven Emmys.
08of 16AwkwafinaGP Images/GettyAfterRaya and the Last Dragon,the comedian from Queens moved up to the Marvel Universe this year, as Simu Liu’s comic sidekick, Katy, inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.“I’ve always dealt with a big deal of impostor syndrome because of the speed at which my career happened — like it was overnight,” she toldVogue Singapore.“But there has to be a point where I stop and tell myself that I’ve worked really hard for this.”
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Awkwafina
GP Images/Getty
AfterRaya and the Last Dragon,the comedian from Queens moved up to the Marvel Universe this year, as Simu Liu’s comic sidekick, Katy, inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.“I’ve always dealt with a big deal of impostor syndrome because of the speed at which my career happened — like it was overnight,” she toldVogue Singapore.“But there has to be a point where I stop and tell myself that I’ve worked really hard for this.”
09of 16Selena Gomez, Martin Short & Steve MartinCraig Blankenhorn/HuluTake two comedy geniuses who’ve been friends for 30 years and pair them with a millennial superstar with 274 million Instagram followers. The result:Only Murders in the Building,the most-watched comedy premiere in Hulu history — perhaps because three generations of family members can watch together. While Martin and Short could give a master class in comedy (Martin actually does), offscreen it was Gomez who was doing the teaching, explaining to her costars the lyrics to the raunchy hit “WAP.” Said Martin: “She is perfect because she is so unlike us.”
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Selena Gomez, Martin Short & Steve Martin
Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu
Take two comedy geniuses who’ve been friends for 30 years and pair them with a millennial superstar with 274 million Instagram followers. The result:Only Murders in the Building,the most-watched comedy premiere in Hulu history — perhaps because three generations of family members can watch together. While Martin and Short could give a master class in comedy (Martin actually does), offscreen it was Gomez who was doing the teaching, explaining to her costars the lyrics to the raunchy hit “WAP.” Said Martin: “She is perfect because she is so unlike us.”
10of 16Olivia RodrigoOlivia Rodrigo.Chip Somodevilla/GettyComparing the lyrics from her hit “Driver’s License” to “a page ripped out of my diary,” the year’s breakthrough pop star toldCBS Sunday Morningthere’s “no greater euphoria” than to mine her “messy feelings” for her music. She’s so influential she was invited to the White House to promote COVID vaccination.
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Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo.Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Comparing the lyrics from her hit “Driver’s License” to “a page ripped out of my diary,” the year’s breakthrough pop star toldCBS Sunday Morningthere’s “no greater euphoria” than to mine her “messy feelings” for her music. She’s so influential she was invited to the White House to promote COVID vaccination.
11of 16Elliot PageElliot Page attends the 2021 Met Gala.John Shearer/WireImageTheUmbrella Academystar shared his journey in aTimecover story in March. Explaining that he’d felt like a boy since 9, he revealed that coming out as trans brought him “true excitement and deep gratitude” combined with “a lot of fear and anxiety.” By May his anxiety appeared to have lessened. He posted a shirtless selfie on Instagram, adding the hashtags #transjoy and #transisbeautiful.
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Elliot Page
Elliot Page attends the 2021 Met Gala.John Shearer/WireImage
TheUmbrella Academystar shared his journey in aTimecover story in March. Explaining that he’d felt like a boy since 9, he revealed that coming out as trans brought him “true excitement and deep gratitude” combined with “a lot of fear and anxiety.” By May his anxiety appeared to have lessened. He posted a shirtless selfie on Instagram, adding the hashtags #transjoy and #transisbeautiful.
12of 16Giannis AntetokounmpoGiannis Antetokounmpo.Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via GettyHe’s living the American Dream. From a rough start in Athens, where he sold items on the streets to help support his family, the 6'11” powerhouse led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years. At 26, he’s already a two-time MVP and was named to the NBA’s list of 75 greatest players of all time.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo.Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty
He’s living the American Dream. From a rough start in Athens, where he sold items on the streets to help support his family, the 6'11” powerhouse led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years. At 26, he’s already a two-time MVP and was named to the NBA’s list of 75 greatest players of all time.
13of 16Steve BurnsSteve Burns.The Late Show with Stephen ColbertNearly 20 years after his departure fromBlue’s Clues,the former Nickelodeon host popped up on Twitter with a comforting message that resonated with his millennial fans. “Look at all you have done and all you have accomplished,” Burns said in character. “After all these years I never forgot you, ever. And I’m super glad we’re still friends.” Next up for him: mastering TikTok.
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Steve Burns
Steve Burns.The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Nearly 20 years after his departure fromBlue’s Clues,the former Nickelodeon host popped up on Twitter with a comforting message that resonated with his millennial fans. “Look at all you have done and all you have accomplished,” Burns said in character. “After all these years I never forgot you, ever. And I’m super glad we’re still friends.” Next up for him: mastering TikTok.
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Rihanna
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
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William Shatner & Wally Funk
Mario Tama/Getty; Joe Raedle/Getty
16of 16Daniel CraigDaniel Craig.Jeff Spicer/GettyAfterNo Time to Die,the 25th film in the James Bond franchise and the fifth starring Craig, the world’s highest-paid actor is moving on. “Apart from Marvel movies, there aren’t movies that are as big as this,” he toldEW.“I’ve had the privelege of being involved in it. I’ll miss everything.” As for the next Bond, Craig said, “I want them to be great.”
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Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig.Jeff Spicer/Getty
AfterNo Time to Die,the 25th film in the James Bond franchise and the fifth starring Craig, the world’s highest-paid actor is moving on. “Apart from Marvel movies, there aren’t movies that are as big as this,” he toldEW.“I’ve had the privelege of being involved in it. I’ll miss everything.” As for the next Bond, Craig said, “I want them to be great.”
source: people.com
