Thursday, Apr. 01, 2010
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Age: 22
Occupation: Reality-TV star
Previous TIME 100 Appearances: 0
Though the outrageous dynamic between the self-proclaimed "guidos" and "guidettes" on MTV's Jersey Shore made the reality show an instant sensation, Snooki, a pint-size powerhouse, quickly emerged as a fan favorite with her signature poufy hairstyle, dance moves and tendency toward the absurd. The Poughkeepsie, N.Y., native — whose life goals included moving to Jersey to meet a "nice, juiced, hot, tanned guy" — dominated the plot lines with her failed dating attempts and verbal mishaps and by being at the receiving end of an infamous punch, turning the reality show into must-see TV.