The 2010 TIME 100 Poll

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, innovators and icons who you think are the most influential people in the world. Though official voting for inclusion on the TIME 100 list has now closed, with Mir-Hossein Mousavi having won the honor, users can continue to vote for their favorites until the list is revealed on Thursday, April 29th

2010 Candidates

Susan Boyle

By TIME STAFFThursday, Apr. 01, 2010
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Brendan McDermid / Reuters

Age: 49
Occupation: Singer, reality-TV star
Previous TIME 100 Appearances: 0

Because Boyle did not exist, it was necessary to invent her, during an April 2009 episode of Britain's Got Talent. In an age desperately searching for authenticity, the reality-show-cum-talent-contest devised and judged by Simon Cowell showcased Boyle's soaring voice and earthbound style, launching a career that has found chart success on both sides of the Atlantic and name-checks on South Park and The Simpsons.

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