Xiaomi founder, tidying guru, "Kimye" among Time's Most Influential

Time magazine recently unveiled their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Comprising figures from all over the world, the list was split into five categories: Titans, pioneers, artists, leaders and icons.

Some of those who made it onto the list are:

Lei Jun - Xiaomi founder

In a write-up by Time's East Asia bureau chief Hannah Beech:

"During a single 12-hour period in April, Xiaomi sold 2.1 million phones online, boosting profits by eliminating middleman vendors. Critics contend that Lei's low-cost handsets borrow too heavily from Apple. They may have a point-Xiaomi's offerings include a Mi Note phone and a Mi Pad tablet. But investors aren't worried. After another round of financing late last year, Xiaomi was valued at some US$46 billion (S$62 billion), earning Lei's company the title of the world's most valuable tech startup."

Kanye West - rapper

Entrepreneur Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, wrote:

"Kanye does think. Constantly. About everything. And he wants everybody else to do the same: to engage, question, push boundaries. Now that he’s a pop-culture juggernaut, he has the platform to achieve just that."

Kim Kardashian - US personality

TV host Martha Stewart called her the "first lady of #fame". She wrote:

"Beautiful in an exotic, totally exaggerated way, Kim exudes energy, sexuality, drama, determination, impetuousness and happiness."

Jimmy Lai - Owner, Hong Kong media company Next Media

In the citation by Oscar-winning rapper Common:

"His courage in the face of the firebombing of his home, as well as his subsequent arrest for his role in challenging the ruling order, resonates around the world as an inspiration for those seeking self-determination."

Marie Kondo - organising consultant

In her write-up by actress and author Jamie Lee Curtis:

"Her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, is a literal how-to-heave-ho, and I recommend it for anyone who struggles with the material excess of living in a privileged society."

Chai Jing - Chinese environmental activist

Chinese environmentalist Ma Jun wrote about Chai:

"Chai Jing's 2015 documentary on pollution, Under the Dome, is one of the most important pieces of environmental awareness building ever in China. Her very personal and powerful story is one that millions of people in China can relate to, which points to the reason it was viewed 200 million times just days after it was first broadcast."

Emma Watson - Harry Potter actress

Jill Abramson, former executive editor of the New York Times, wrote:

"Emma Watson's alter ego Hermione Granger would doubtless approve of her HeForShe campaign and its gutsy, smart take on feminism. It's especially refreshing to see men invited to join the fight for gender equality, as Watson pointedly did in launching the UN effort last fall, telling the men that it's 'your issue too'."

Susan Wojcicki - CEO of YouTube

In a short write-up by Oscar winning producer Brian Glazer:

"Of course there are many other platforms, including the ones I primarily use in the form of theatrical releases and network and cable television, but the world goes to YouTube. We go there to find those beautiful, creative experiments, and through them we discover new talent in all forms. Never before has this been possible at this scale."

seanyap@sph.com.sg