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.