People of color Honored in ‘Time’s’ 2023 100 List
From Left to right: Hidetaka Miyazaki, Padme Lakshmi, Jerrod Carmichael, Salma Hayek Pinault, and Shou Zi Chew - Daniel Boczarski / Aurora Rose / Christopher Polk / NBC / Axelle / Bauer-Griffin
On Thursday, April 13, 2023, TIME magazine published its 100 Most Influential People in the World list. The magazine’s special publication honors 100 individuals each year for its iconic list, accompanied by celebratory blurbs written by big-name contributors paired with honorees. The list also highlights notable authors, comedians, sports stars, and other influential figures.
The American news magazine TIME compiles an annual list of the one hundred persons thought to be the most influential in the world. Appearing on the list is frequently regarded as an honor, and TIME emphasizes that candidates are acknowledged for making an impact on the world, regardless of the repercussions of their acts. TIME editors choose the final list of significant people, with recommendations coming from "TIME 100 alumni" and the magazine's international writing staff.
Here are the people of color in the film and television industry that made the publication’s list.
Angela Bassett
Gina Prince Bythewood
Jerrod Carmichael
Shou Zi Chew
Micheal B. Jordan
Shah Rukh Khan
Padme Lakshmi
Hidetaka Miyazaki
Pedro Pascal
Salma Hayek Pinault
Aburey Plaza
S. S. Rajamouli
Ke Huy Quan
Ali Wong
Angela Bassett: Angela Bassett was named to Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in the "Titans" category. Tina Turner, a Grammy-winning singer, wrote Bassett's contribution for the journal. Turner thought Bassett was the best choice to play her in What's Love Got to Do With It? Turner recalls being apprehensive at first, but when they met, "I looked up, saw Angela, and immediately started to smile," adding, "She's perfect." Rather than imitate her, Turner commended Bassett for how she "reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world." Turner believes Bassett's acting talent allows her to become a character with conviction, sincerity, dignity, and grace—"You honor all the women you play, just as you honored me. And you're still flawless."
Gina Prince-Bythewood: Gina Prince-Bythewood was also placed in the "Titans" portion opposite Angela Bassett. The contribution was created by actress Sanaa Lathan. Lathan sees Prince-Bythewood as a firm believer in the power of storytelling, saying, "It's her life's purpose; she's always going to search for the truth." Lathan admires Prince-Bythewood's dedication to telling positive stories, including those concerning Black women and women of color. Lathan admits to cherishing the memory of attending the Sundance Film Festival premiere of Love and Basketball in 2000. "It was a surreal experience to witness a young woman of color create that film for the world and to be there by her side as she did it." Lathan regards Prince-Bythewood as a friend and a real craftsman with boundless creativity.
Simone Leigh: Venus Williams, an American professional tennis player, submitted for Simone Leigh's position on the list. Williams recounts her initial contact with Simone Leigh and her artwork over a decade ago, saying she "will never forget the feelings I experienced at that moment—her art resonated with me in my heart and core." Williams claims Leigh upends the narrative of how Black bodies have been stereotyped, marginalized, and commodified in art. Williams and art critics regard her sculptures as focusing on Black people's experiences and celebrating Black bodies, particularly female ones. Leigh's artwork, according to Williams, "inspires generations of Black women to feel empowered and to situate their experiences as central to American history and culture."
Susan-Lori Parks: Sterling K. Brown, a producer, and award-winning actor, wrote her submission, which appeared in the "Artists" section. When Brown saw Parks' Pulitzer-winning play Topdog/Underdog in 2001, he expressed his desire to collaborate with him. Brown was cast as Hero in Parks' Odyssey-inspired piece Father Comes Home From the Wars a decade later. Brown characterizes Parks as "an amazing joy—she's an artist of the highest passion...She throws everything she has into everything she does." Brown describes Parks as a playwright who thrives on cooperation while seeking a visceral reaction to her words, noting that Parks "goes back to the drawing board until those words impact her soul and the souls of her collaborators."
Zoe Saldaña: Zoe Saldaña’s submission was written by actress Mila Kunis. In it, Kunis describes Saldaña as “the ultimate badass in the entertainment industry, known for her powerful onscreen presence and ability to take on any role with ease.” Kunis sees Saldaña as a trailblazer for women and people of color in Hollywood, breaking down barriers and advocating for greater diversity and representation. Kunis claims she is inspired by how Saldaña is not afraid to speak out for what she believes in and uses her platform to make a positive impact. Adored by fans worldwide, Kunis values her friendship with Saldaña, the inspiration she offers as a parent, and “more than anything her unique ability to make any situation a hundred times more fun.”
For more information and testimonies of the entrants of TIME magazine’s 2023 100 Most Influential People in the World list, check out their website or purchase the publication.